Soldiers – Gascoyne, Joseph & Chettham – Gallant Denaby Men

February 1918

Mexborough and Swinton Times February 16, 1918

Gallant Denaby Men.

More Gifts.

In addition to the presentation at the Hippodrome Mexboro’, on Tuesday evening, two more gold watches and .illuminated addresses have been issued to gallant  soldiers who were formerly employed at the Denaby and Cadeby Collieries.

They were presented last Friday, at a smoking concert held by the Conisboro Company of Volunteers at the Denaby Main Hotel.

Capt. H. C. Harrison made the presentations, which were to Lcp. Joseph Gascoyne (Y. and L.) and Petty-officer Cheetham (R.N.D.)

Lance Corporal Gascoyne won the Military Medal by rescuing four wounded men under heavy fire. Petty- officer Cheetham was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry, coolness and initiative in action. He took over the command of his company after the officers had become casualties.

Capt. Harrison heartily congratulated the men on their gallantry, and Mr H Hulley also spoke on behalf of the subscribers to the fund. Capt. Harrison was supported on the platform. by Major-Clarke, Adjutant Cooke, Capt. Clayton, Lieut. Wm. Appleyard, Sergt.-Major Harvey, the Rev. H. B. Greeves, Mr. H. W. Smith, and Mr. H. Hulley.

The concert was promoted for the purpose of stimulating recruiting for the Volunteers.—Capt. Harrison regretted that there was not a larger attendance, but was convinced that that did not represent the spirit of the Denaby and Conisboro’ men. He referred to the splendid response to the call to the colours made by the men of the collieries.

Major Clark contradiction a statement recently made by the chairman of a London tribunal to the effect  that the Volunteers -were to be called on for active service. They were asked to do fourteen hours’ drill per month until efficient, after which they dropped to the minimum of ten and a half hours per month. He was convinced that the men of Denaby and Conisboro’ would readily enrol in the Volunteers.

The “Comrades of the Great War “were strongly represented in the audience and on the platform by local members. There was an excellent musical programme to which

Mr. Opple, Miss Jackson, Mr. Parker, Pte. Widdowson, and Master Eric Laura contributed.