Mexborough and Swinton Times September 28, 1918
Gallant Soldier-Miners,
War Heroes of Manvers and Barnburgh Collieries.
Comrades’ Tributes.
Massed Presentations at Mexboro’ and Wath.
Under the auspices of the committee of Members Main and Barnburgh Colliery War Fund, unique gathering were assembled on Sunday at Mexborough and at Wath upon Dearne.
The Mexborough meeting took place in the Empire on Sunday morning, and was very largely attended. The occasion was a presentation a gold watches to (or respect of) 19 men of Mexborough and Swinton or serving or have served with the forces during the war, who have gained military distinction, and were formerly employed at the Manvers Main and Barnburgh collieries.
The gathering at the Empire, Wath on Dearne, in the evening, was for the same purpose, the presentations they number in six, all Wath men, and all happily survivors to date.
Mr Walter Goddard presided at the Mexborough meeting, and assembled on the stage were the relatives of the men were to be honoured. Two of the recipients were able to attend in person.
Mr Gunn I was supported by counsel WH Hughes, Swinton and Mr J Vaughan, Wath (joint secretaries of the Manvers Main War Fund), Councillor G Siddall, Swinton, Mr J Walton, Wath; Mr A Nicklin Swinton and Mr T Guest.
At the outset Mr Hughes proposed, in suitable terms, vote of condolence with the families of the members and Barnburgh men fallen in the war, and this is adopted in the usual manner.
Proud to be a Miner
The Chairman said he was proud to think that the men of Manvers Main and Barnburgh played their part so nobly at the Front, and he was also proud and glad to know that the men at home had the grace to appreciate their comrades of the battlefield.
The miner, continue4 Mr. Goddard, it was more respected today than ever he was before. He had heard more than one of say that there was no better fighting, material in the world than the British (Applause.) He would tackle any job; and he did everything well, except perhaps, the retreat. (Hear, hear.) Miners were once a despised class, but they had shown in this war that they could produce more than their due proportion of heroes. He was proud to be a miner, and he was proud to belong to Manvers Main collieries had provided two thousand miner-soldier, two hundred ,of whom, alas, had fallen.
That colliery might be said lo have done and to, be doing it’s part to bring victory to the Allied cause. He felt sure that victory would be theirs, and he hoped it would be such a victory as would ensure perpetual peace two the world. (Applause.)
The men who had been left behind at Manvers Main had done some for the dependents of their fighting comrades as they would hear more particularly at a later stage of the proceedings. Their tund so far amounted to £16,000 to which the Colliery Company had added about £13,000. He was sorry the Company were formerly represented that morning. Mr Arthur Thompson had intended to be present, but a prior engagement had called him away. He, however, sent his greetings to the gathering, and wished them to understand that he was very proud of the members and Barnburgh men fighting Services.
Wonderful Sacrifice.
Councillor G Siddall then introduced the first batch of presentations. He said it was the Horner of his life to present to his gallant fellow workmen the gold watches that had been provided in recognition of their heroism in the face of the enemy. They could never be sufficiently grateful to these gallant men, indeed to all our soldiers and sailors, whether decorated or not, for what they had done to keep this beautiful country of ours free and intact amid all the horrors of this devastating war stop
we had recently passed through a very dark period, but the every cloud a lift at last, and we can glimpse the sunshine behind. (Applause.)
He was glad and thankful to think that we were really marching towards the German frontier last, and the sooner we get there and show the Germans another aspect of destruction, because it would be is rejoicing. (Applause.)
They were met their that morning in an atmosphere sacrifice. The men who had won these distinctions had sacrificed much, some of them had sacrificed all stop gold watches would not repay these men; they were merely a little token that we acknowledge the debt that was too great to pay. (Applause)
In his Jennings around the country he had more than one glimpse of the soldiers leave taking. That was always a sad and touching site. That was one of the main items in the bill of sacrifice which the nation and incurred to the soldier. (Hear, hear) these men were sacrificing the best years of their life. We could not restore the years to them, though we certainly could do a great deal to make their remaining years pleasanter and more prosperous. He had said that the debt was too great to pay. These may never be repay for the sacrifices they were making? He thought so. He thought they would be repaid by the assurance that what they had done of me the future of the world brighter, and made the future of democracy sure. (Applause)
But what of their own future – the future of these men will return from the war, many of them broken and helpers? Would never happen again, as it happened after the Crimean War, that these men, after wandering and struggling, would ultimately find rest and shelter in the workhouse. (Applause)
Labour was absolutely determined about that, and which did not meet the fullest provision for the future of these men would have a chance of retaining the support of the country. (applause)
He prayed that our soldiers and sailors might be protected in spain to come home to bright and happy future. (Applause)
The Presentations
Mr Siddall then proceeded to Andover inscribed gold watches to the following men or their representatives:
The late Sapper William Hackett V.C., Crossgate Mexborough
In May 1916, Sapper Hackett, with a number of Engineers, was entombed in the Shaftesbury mine near Vimy stop after three days digging the party were extricated, but one of their number was so badly injured that it was impossible to get him out. Sapper Hackett refused to leave this man, elected to stay and dine with him, a second entombment overwhelming them both. (Received by his widow.)
Lieutenant Harry Franks, M.C.
York and Lancaster
In an attack on the Turks he captured German machine gun and turned it on the enemy, who retired in confusion. (Received by his father.)
Company Sergeant Major GW Oldfield, M.M.
York and Lancaster
Oxford St, Swinton. On July 1, 1916 year Ville years, all the senior officers, having become casualties before the Company resell front line, Sergeant Major Oldfield showed great bravery and coolness in getting the men into position for the assault, and when the time came to advance led the men with great dash and determination. Later he moved along the battalion from collecting men and sending them down to the rendezvous in small parties. While so engaged he was badly wounded in the face, but carried on. He set a splendid example to the men. Also mentioned in dispatches. (Received by his wife)
Sergeant Angus McLauchlan, M.M.
Royal Field Artillery
Wath Rd, Swinton. For taking a battery into action under heavy fire, and also saving a gun pit after it had been fired. (Received by his wife)
Sergeant Frank Oliver, M.M.
York and Lancaster
for gallant and distinguished conduct. He continued cutting wires under heavy fire. (Received by his father)
Ex Corporal Horace Jeavon, M.M.
Coldstream Guards
Sarah Street, Mexborough. For effective work with a Lewis gun of which he was in charge on the Somme in September 15, 1916. He took up a dangerous position on the right flank and held it until reinforcement brought up. (Received in person.)
Lance Corporal Arthur Vickers, M.S.M.
Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
William St, Swinton. For valuable services to the armies in the field. (Received by his father.)
The late Lance Corporal A.B.C.Robinson, M.M.
Royal Engineers
Schofield St, Mexborough. During an attack on an enemy position if the 24th 1917 he did conspicuously good work in laying and maintaining telephone wires. Although wounded, he continued to look for breaks in the way, and maintain a perfectly good line. His wounds proved mortal. (Received by his widow).
Most of the gifts were accepted in silence, but Mrs Oldfield, wife of Sergeant Major Oldfield, made quite a neat little speech.
More Presentations
After Mr Walton had painful tribute to the recipients he proceeded to make more presentations:
Sergeant S Goodman M.M.(now Cadet)
Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
Horace villas, Main Street, Mexborough. During an attack on Langemark on August 16, 1917, after all the officers had become casualties, he led his company into action, and took two objectives. (Received by his wife).
Private Alfred Adey, M.M.
York and Lancaster
Wath Rd, Swinton, on March 20 fiscal is one of the raiding party of 4 told off to storm a nest of machine guns at Ypres.
They killed all the gunners and captured the gun. (Received by his father).
Lance Corporal A.E.Mann, M.M.
York and Lancaster
Swinton. For devotion to duty while recognising and sniping the enemy’s position, with good results, and a heavy enemy shell fire and machine-gun fire in the recent Marne battles. (Received by his father.)
The late private Thomas King, M.M.
Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
Mexborough. As a stretcher bearer successful in rescuing wounded under heavy fire on several occasions. (Received by his widow).
Corporal J Harrison, M.M.
Royal Field Artillery
Mexborough. For brave and gallant conduct. (Received in person.)
Sapper Ernest Metcalf, M.M.
Royal Engineers
Mexborough. For bravery on the battlefield, in mending telephone wires. (Received by his father)
Private Joseph Nadin, M.M.
York and Lancaster
Mexborough. As a company runner, between April 11 – 30, 1918, he carried messages under heavy fire during an enemy advance, and generally rendered valuable service. (Received by his father.)
Acting Sergeant Eric Daykin, D.C.M., and French Croix de Guerre
York and Lancaster
Swinton. In 1916, his patrol was attacked by a strong enemy patrol. Many bombs were thrown, and after one man had been killed and the other men of the British patrol wounded, Daykin succeeded in dispersing the enemy patrol. He was himself wounded, but before his own was pressed he wrote a wounded man in, and afterwards went out three times but the remainder of the patrol in. He has repeatedly been brought to the notice of the authority for gallant conduct. (Received by his father)
The late private Sam Smith, M.M.
York and Lancaster
Mexborough. As a battalion runner he carried out his duties in a fearless manner, and got through to the front line with two important messages. (Received by his widow.)
Private Harry Hemsworth, D.C.M.
Northumberland Fusiliers
Wath on Dearne. Frequently carried messages under heavy shellfire. (Received by his sister.)
Impressive Figures
Mr Vaughan made an interesting statement on the progress and state on the Manvers Main War Relief Fund. He concluded by stating that 25 gold watches have been presented that day, at Mexborough and Wath, and a further batch of presentation was in hand.