SCALDED TO DEATH AT WORK - THE TERRIBLE FATE OF JOHN ARTHUR SNELSON - SHEFFIELD APRIL 1937

The excellent Sheffield Indexers pages has just two entries for John Arthur Snelson. The first is for his baptism at Christ Church, Attercliffe.Sheffield on January 3rd 1923 

SNELSON, John Arthur (of 8 Whixley St, born 0000-11-29).
Baptised January 3, 1923, by Arthur Robinson at Christ Church, Attercliffe.Sheffield
Parents name (s) are Florence Beatrice & Arthur (Moulder). Note: ~ Godparents: ~ :Page No 41 :Reg No 321

and the second is for his burial at Sheffield's Shiregreen Cemetery on April 21st 1937. John was just fourteen years of age.

SNELSON, John Arthur (Son of Arthur, age 14).
Died at 57 Ronksley Road; Buried on April 21, 1937 in Consecrated ground;
Grave Number 7620, Section G of Shiregreen Cemetery, Sheffield. Plot Owner: of . Page No ~

The reasons for his untimely death were revealed in the Daily Independent dated 20thApril 1937.

Four days later the Penistone, Stocksbridge and Hoyland Express dated Saturday 24 April 1937 carried a similar report of the inquest but in addition reported on John's funeral that took place on Wednesday 21st April 1937

John's father Arthur Snelson was clearly upset about the time it took for him to be notified of the accident. John was severely injured at 1.15pm and his father was only notified at 4.30pm. And the notification when it did come.came from a "small boy" at the works. And when he did eventually get to the Royal Infirmary he was admonished by the sister for taking his time. This was clearly a very unsatisfactory series of events and was commented on by the Coroner. It did not paint Arthur Lee and Sons Ltd. in a very good light. But what was worse was the loss of his son John in such tragic circumstances. It was an accident pure and simple and the verdict was the correct one but you just cannot help feeling for John's family 

Sources

Sheffield Daily Independent dated 20th April 1937 

Penistone, Stocksbridge and Hoyland Express dated Saturday 24 April 1937

Sheffield Indexers 

UK Census 

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