Mexborough and Swinton Times, October 28, 1916

Lieutenant Cyril Paxman Tiptaft

youngest son of Mr and Mrs WT Tiptaft,, formerly of Beechwood, Kilnhurst and now of Aldwarke Road, Parkgate, has been awarded the military Cross for gallantry displayed in action on July 1. Lieutenant Tiptaft, belongs very well known and old established Mexborough family, his father being the head of the firm of wholesale provision dealers bearing his name.

Lieutenant Tiptaft, join the army in February 1915, when he reached the age of 19, and qualifies through the Public School battalion, he was gazetted second Lieutenant in the Connaught Rangers in October 1915. He went to France in the following December, and has served continuously there through heavy fighting ever since, with only one week’s leave.

On July 1, the opening day of the advance, he led his men very gallantly into action, and its splendid work during the day. At the end of the engagement he was one of two surviving officers of the company. He receives the Military Cross and a second star simuLieutenantaneously, and is now attached to the Royal Irish Rifles.

Lieutenant Tiptaft, is an old boy of the Mexborough Secondary School, and the first officer from that school to be decorated, in recognition of which event a half day holiday was granted last Friday.

Mr Tiptaft’s second son, Second Lieutenant Ford Tiptaft, also well known in the district, has been in France for about the same period as his brother, and is serving with the Royal Machine Gun Corps