Mexborough and Swinton Times June 8, 1918
Company Sgt.-Maior Ridgill Hutton Wells (Royal Fusiliers), (picture left) eldest son of Mrs Wells, Market Street, Mexborough, won the Military Medal last Autumn,and has now been awarded the D.C.M.
He gained the military medal for gallantry in action. In addition two keeping his company plentifully supplied with ammunition during a heavy engagement, he rescued ten wounded men from. “No man’s land” under heavy shell-fire.
In in addition to his decoration he was promoted to second class warrant rank. He is 27 years of age, married and. has been serving since May 1915. He has been in the line over two years.
He will be well remembered in the, Mexborough district as a very promising amateur boxer. He frequently appeared in the local ring. He was employed for a number of years at Manvers Main, but immediately before enlistment he was employed at the Brosdworth Colliery. In a letter to his wife he informed her that he has been awarded the D.C.M. for distinguished conduct during the German March offensive.
He- says: “We were held up by the Germans, who had three machine guns which were causing my company a lot of casualties. I could not stand to see the lads getting wounded, and so I collected as many bombs as I could carry, and crawled across the open to where the Germans were.
I got behind them and the first bomb I threw killed two of ‘them. Then I rushed the d—- lot, throwing bombs all the time.
I killed or wounded about eight of them, and put two of their guns out of action, capturing the third. I own up I went mad, and when I come to think of it I often wonder how it was that I wasn’t killed”, but I seem to have it been born under a lucky star.”
Sergeant Major Wells adds that in addition to receiving medal he has had £20 invested in War Bonds for him.The following is a further extract from the letter:
“Sometimes I sit and think how nice it would be to be at home again, and then I think that you are proud that’ am fighting. I am not fighting out here for fun. I am fighting’ for my home and, for my wife and child. I thank God that He has given rnt the power to do so, for I have seen the way the Hun has treated’ the poor French folk. There are thousands of them without homes.”
Sgt.-Major WellS’s brother, Pte. Algerton Wells (R.A.M.C.) (picture right) is at present stationed at Blackpool. He enlisted on August 9, 191 and landed on Gallipoli in ‘the summer. 1915. He was invalided home with mia„..lairiltia; and went to France in 1.916. He was slightly wounded, and in an accident broke his wrist so badly that the arm is permanently disabled. He is now being trained for the calling of a masseurs and expects to qualify next year. He is 21, and single, and before enlistment was employed at the Don Bottle Works, Mexborough.
