Mexborough and Swinton Times February 3, 1917

A Mexborough Honour
D.C.M. for Mine Rescuer

Mr James Leadbeater, of 18, Oliver St, Mexborough, who served as a Sapper in the Royal Engineers (Tunnelling Corps) from November 9, 1915 to July 22, 1916, and was then discharged incapacitated from the effects of gas poisoning, has this week been notified that he will receive the distinguished conduct medal in recognition of gallantry displayed at Mont St Eloi (Vimy Ridge) on April 21, 1916, when he entered an exploded sap in an effort to rescue a number of his comrades, and succeeded in rescuing one of them, being himself badly gassed in the operation.

Mr Leadbeater enlisted in answer to the special call of the Army for skilled miners for service with the tunneling Corps, and went to France a few days after enlistment. Previously he had worked at Wath Main as miner and deputy for more than 10 years.

While at Wath Main he obtained an excellent knowledge of rescue work under Mr G H Ashwin (the general manager), Captain and adjutant B H Pickering (manager), Mr Walter Kelly (under manager), and Mr A Fairhurst.

After going to France he perfected this knowledge and obtained the certificate of the Army Proto-School.

While in hospital in York, subsequent to the event described, he received from Major General E Stuart Wortley a formal acknowledgement of the gallantry he had displayed, and on Monday evening received a letter from Sir Frederick Milner as follows:

“I am glad to have succeeded in getting you the DCM, which I think, you richly deserve. I had a letter from general Wigham yesterday, and he said it had been traced out and the award will be announced. This will entitle you to an extra sixpence a day in addition to your pension.”

Mr Leadbeater is a married man with three children.