Mexborough and Swinton Times October 5, 1918

Loci Promotions & Decoration.

Corporal Horace Flather
Royal Air Force

Corporal Flather, Church-st. Mexboro’, son of Mr. T. R. Flather, manager of the Mexboro’ (central) branch of the Barnsley British. Co-operative stores, has been awarded the Military Medal for gallantry and, devotion to duty on a recent occasion in France.

He went .out under heavy shell fire and replaced a :wireless mast which had been shot down by the enemy. By his action and disregard of the great personal risk, wireless communications were restored.

Cpl. Flather. has been serving since December, 1915, enlisting originally , in the Scottish Borderers, and was transferred to  the Scottish Rifles(Cameronian.), and later to the Highland Light Infantry.

He saw very sepia service in France during the winter of 1916 – 1917, and took part in the advanced to the Hindenburg Line.

At Peronne in February, 1917, he was invalided out of the line with trench feet and a slight wound. He recovered in England and offered re-spell service in Ireland transferred to the RAF qualifying as a wireless operator. He went out in that capacity last autumn was attached to siege battery.

During the enemy’s great offensive in March, Corporal  Flather distinguished himself and was on that occasion recommended for decoration but without result

He is only 21 years of age.

Before enlistment he was on reporting staff of this paper which now has the happiness to claim three Military Medallist