South Yorkshire Times April 26, 1947

Mineworkers Family Tree
Interesting Swinton Associations

A Swinton man who was engineman at Thrybergh Hall colliery for many years, can claim to be related to a well-known Yorkshire Dales family, is Mr George Metcalfe of Highfield Road, and he says that his ancestors included such famous people as “Blind Jack,” from Knaresborough, the well-known road builder.

Mr Metcalfe, who came from Cutsyke two Swinton 34 years ago, wishes only to ascertain his grandfather’s connection with the family to establish which branch of the family of his kinsman.

A copy of the family district, which Mr Metcalfe is hanging in his London, shows that the first recorded a member of the family was John Metcalfe, who fought as a captain at Agincourt.

A “South Yorkshire Times” reporter was told by Mr Metcalfe, retired engineman, that he had been back to the Dales and established his identity. He explained that the family, who were reputed to be one of the wealthiest in the country, investor their fortune in the South Sea islands and lost it.

Some of them were compelled to become labourers and workmen, but others managed to recoup some of their losses. Mr Metcalfe father was a labourer, and although he cannot establish much else, he knows that his father’s father was a gentleman.

Many members of the family still live at Castle Bolton, Mr Metcalfe and his wife have learned much about the family history from them.

“Blind Jack” from Knaresborough, was renowned for his roadbuilding, and old “Jammy” Metcalfe, who still blows a warning blast on an ancient horn an hour before sunset each day for the benefit of people hiking in the beautiful, but treacherous, Dale are among the later members of the family.

By no means inactive in retirement, Mr Metcalfe is anxious to find out more other members of his family. He served with the Coldstream Guards during the Great War, and a picture which we reproduced was taken at that time.