Mexborough and Swinton Times Saturday, February 8

Croix de Guerre
French Honour for Denaby soldier

Sgt Benji Thompson (R.E.), 130, Doncaster road, Denaby main, has been awarded the Croix de Guerre for gallantry and humanity displayed in rescue work in a mine shaft near Bethune.

The enemy broke into the shaft and discharged gas. Sgt Thompson was particularly distinguished for bravery and disregard of danger. Although blinded and suffering from the effects of the gas, he succeeded in recovering several of the bodies of his comrades and in blocking their way of the fosse.

Sgt Thompson will before the war was a miner at Denaby main, went out to France originally as a reservist of the Coldstream Guards, and was later transferred to the tunnelling section of the engineers.

He was at home on leave at Christmas, and received the cross upon his return to France.