The Times, Saturday, February 23rd, 1918
Denaby Hero Honoured
Presentation of Gold Watch and Illuminated Address
On Wednesday night at the Denaby Picture Palace, Cpl Luther J Wren of 37 Adwick Street was presented with a gold watch and illuminated address. The Military Medal was for conspicuous gallantry in France on the night of Oct 1 1916 when, his Lewis gun being put out of action, and the team also being casualties, he found a number of German bombs, discovered how to use them, and stood on the parapet flinging them at the enemy during a counter-attack, thus repelling them.
The manager of the Denaby Main Colliery (Mr H Watson Smith) presided. He said it was a great gratification to know they had the names of 27 men on the list, belonging to the Denaby and Cadeby Collieries, who had won honours in the Great War.
It was satisfactory to know that the presentation fund was now on a sound basis, and that all the men who secured distinction during the further progress of the struggle would be similarly rewarded to the men who had preceded them. (Cheers)
It was very encouraging that the Directors had contributed 50% to the fund, and he would like to take the opportunity of publicly thanking them on behalf of the community. They all knew the great interest Mr Chambers took in this movement, and it was because of his advocacy of the fund that the directors had made this generous gift. So far as Cpl Wren was concerned, they were delighted with what he had done, and would ask Mr Chambers to make the presentation.
Mr W H Chambers (Managing Director of the Collieries) said he sincerely thanked them for inviting him to be present that night, as he highly valued the good work these brave lads were doing. When they came home on leave they were not long among them, but it was a pleasure to see them and shake hands with them, and say a few words of congratulation and encouragement.
When the lads were asked `How are you going on?´ they generally said they were `rather tired of it.´ No wonder.
Many people at home also seemed to be `tired´ at the little inconveniences they were experiencing – but it was a very different experience with the lads at the front. As a matter of fact the World was tired of it. No doubt about that. But we must keep sat it till the Germans had had more than enough. And might God grant that the time would come soon. The boys would then be able to come home and to stay at home and rejoice together.
When Wren was awarded the Military Medal he was a private. But he was now a Corporal. And he had been informed that, since being given the honour of as Military Medal he had been recommended for the D.C.M. for gallantry. (Applause)
Cpl Wren, amid hearty cheering, said he thanked them all for their kindness to him, and he trusted many more of the lads would get such gifts. They knew that whether the other Denaby and Cadeby lads got the honours or not they were all brave and deserved them. (Applause)
A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the proprietor of the picture palace for his kindness.