Mexborough and Swinton Times February 2, 1918

Mexborough Military Medal.

Cpl. Ernest Thomas Ash
Grenadier Guards, Attached machine-gun guards

Corporal Thomas, 164,   VVath Road, Mexhoro’, son of Mrs. Twigg, 11, Spencer-street,  Mexhoro’, has been awarded, the Military Medal for gallantry and determination displayed during heavy German attacks in the neighbourhood of Camhrai, on December 1, when, in the attack of the Guards’ Division, the German advance was checked and pushed back. He took command of the machine-gun team after his officer and an N.C.O. had become casualties, and got to the objective through heavy shell fire and machine-gun fire, brought the machine-gun into action, and inflicted severe losses on the enemy while they were making a stubborn resistance. He also did good work in checking, a subsequent enemy counter-attack. Cpl. Ash had previously been recommended for decoration

He enlisted in November, 1914. He is a married man, aged 28, with four children.              His half-brother, Gnr. George Twigg also enlisted in November, 1914, and was killed in action on April 29, 1915, aged 19.