South Yorkshire Times – Saturday 01 May 1943
Bars to Medals
Denaby Soldiers’ Awards
Following closely on the winning of Military Medals by two Denaby men the High Army Lance-Bombardier Wilfred Pass and Gunner John Dennis Wheeliker, is the announcement last week-end that each has been awarded a bar to the Medal.
Both men, formerly miners at Denaby Main Colliery, were members of the same Territorial A.A. unit of the Royal Artillery, and were called up at the outbreak of war. They have served together in France, coming through Dunkirk. For a time they were stationed in England and about a year ago went to the Middle East.
The citation of the award of the Military Medal to Gunner Wheeliker reveals that when an A.A. gun crew were blown off their gun during a Stuka dive bomber attack, Gunner Wheeliker returned and immediately resumed firing until the raider was driven off. He made no mention of this in his letters to his parents, nor did Lance-Bombardier Pass, who gained his initial award about the same time.
A letter from Pass to his wife, who lives at 98, Annerley Street, Conisborough, noted from his lieutenant saying, “Your husband has just been awarded the Military Medal. I thought you would like to know.”
The letter was dated March 28th.
Gunner Wheeliker, who is 22, is the fourth son of Mr. and Mrs. George Wheeliker, 16, Wheatley Street, Denaby. His father served in the last war, was an infantry captain and won the Military Medal. One of Gunner Wheeliker’s brothers is serving with the Royal Engineers in the Middle East.
Lance-Bombardier Pass is 30 and the son of Mr. and Mrs. David Pass, 64, Wamsworth Street, Denaby.