Mexborough and Swinton Times, September 1, 1939

Obituary – William Oades

This picture was taken a month ago but since it was developed Mr. William Oades, the elderly man in the group, has passed away leaving behind a wealth of memories of an old Thurnscoe farmer who must have been known by thousands of residents.

He was 83 years old and had been a farmer in the town for the last forty years.

Living at St. Helen’s Farm behind the Parish Church, Mr. Oades will be remembered as a waggonette proprietor in the days when Thurnscoe travellers had to travel to Bolton, Darfield or Wath stations to start longer journeys and the majority of those who did not walk must have patronised his carriages. Later he took over the Hickleton Main coal carting scheme but horses were left in the fields when motors took over the work and to-day his son has the business and uses lorries.

Our picture shows four generations of his family, Mr. Oades himself, his youngest daughter, Mrs. George Ward, of Westfield Crescent, her eldest son, Mr. Clifford Ward and the fourth generation, four years old Raymond Ward.