Mexborough and Swinton Times January 20, 1940

The Office to Ship

Robert Frank Mawson (18), son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Mawson, of Highgate Lane. Bolton, has been home on Christmas leave from the Navy.

An old Bolton Council School boy, he started work at Wath Main Colliery in the time office staff, but joined the Navy 34 years ago. After early training he was transferred to the Iron ‘Pike and is now a fully qualified telegraphist “somewhere at sea.”

Bobby looks remarkably fit and says he never felt better and enjoys the life to the full. His Christmas homecoming was not as pleasant as it could have been because his grandfather, Mr. Joseph Stephen Mawson, died a few days before his arrival and his father, too, who served throughout the last war, was seriously ill.