Mexborough and Swinton Times February 9, 1918
Message for the People at Home.
Company-Sgt.-Major Oldfield (Y. and L.)
Company Sgt Major Oldfield Oxford street, Wath road, Mexboro’, has been mentioned in dispatches, and has: also received the following message from his divisional commander: “I congratulate you on the occasion of your being Mentioned in the Dispatch of Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, Commander – in-Chief, British Armies in France, dated 7th Nov., 1917, for distinguished service and devotion to duty in the field during the period 28th February to September 20-21, 1917. ‘
Company-Sgt.-Major Oldfield, who is now in Italy, addresses the following letter to us: “1918 is entered upon, and we are still at war, but I am sure everyone will agree that we stand in a far better position than we did at the commencement of the year 1917. Taking everything into consideration, we are winning well, and the morale of our troops is magnificent, in fact, quite as good as in 1914, and that is a great thing to say. One often thinks, after reading the papers, what steps the people at home are going to take.
I can assure you that the soldiers who have had to rough it, many of them since the war commence, are still in the same mind as as they were when we declared war against the Hun. One cannot help but appreciate the doggedness of these Britons, and with the help of the people, at home there can be no mistake in getting and victorious and honourable please. One often thinks, when reading of the people at home grumbling and giving threats of violence in the way of strikes and other numerous ways, all ‘because it is more difficult to live and the purchase of foodstuffs is of a difficult and tiresome nature.
I am sure if the people at home would take into consideration the hardships endured by the soldiers at the ‘Front (who are determined to fight on to a victorious end) there would not be much ground for a complaint. These soldiers are fighting doggedly for the safety and comfort of their loved ones Thorpe at home, offering their lives for the coming generation to live in pence, and for the honour of a great and glorious nation.
Surely if the soldier is determined to bear the hardships until we have gained our intention (which is nothing but victory) the people at home should say ‘We will help them to win, and bear our hardships without a single groan.’
If the people John could only see the deeds and victories one by their gallant son they will say at once, ‘We are masters of the situation, we will be proud to enter such victories in the volume, of the old English history.’ What the soldier is asking of the people at home is for them to have patience and faith in them.
Company-Sgt.-Major Oldfield is the eldest of the four soldier sons of Mr. Geo. Oldfield, Wath road. Mexborough. The second son, Pte. Walter Oldfield, won the Military _Medal some time ago. Cpl. Wm. Oldfield is in Italy, and Pte. John Oldfield has this week been on leave from France.