Mexborough and Swinton Times July 19, 1919
Thurnscoe’s Part in the War
Casualties and Bravery
The war took its toll of the lives of Thurnscoe men as the time passed on. It was all to be expected that with the large number of men on active service, many would lose their lives.
The Colliery Company have lost 154 of their men killed, in action or died of wounds, and of this number 72 lived in Thurnscoe.
Their names and rank are:
The list of wounded numbers nearly 100, many permanently disabled.
Amongst those reported missing are Harold Bray, George Brooke, Jack Watson, H.Bradbury and Torn Conroy.
Those who were captured, and spent some time in a Prisoner of War camp are:
George Robinson. William Porter, Herbert Firth, George Duncan, Jack Glover, Rees Davies, Sam Hill and Tom Phillips,
Many men from Thurnscoe have won ‘distinction and honours, and have thus brought lustre, not only on themselves, but on their own village. We fully recognise that all who have deserved honours have not been awarded them, but the recognition given to so many, shows the “stuff” that our lads are made of.
Three men, who enlisted as privates, earned for themselves commissioned rank. They are: —2nd Lieuts. Frank Gosling (since killed), George Teece, and Albert Jenkinson.
The following decorations have also been awarded:—
Distinguished Conduct Medal.
Sergt. Colin Morrell, R.E., Pte. J. Gill, K.O.Y.L.I., and Pte. T. Gill, K.O.Y.L.1.
The Military Medal.
Bdr. Joseph Butler, R.F.A., Privates Arthur Binns, W. Cliffe, R.A.M.C., John A. Cooke, Y. and L., Cpl. T. W. Fox, West Riding Regt., Bdr. J. Sough, R.G.A., Cpl. Walter Mills, Essex Regt., Pte. E. Stones, 2nd Lieut. George Teece (and Bar), Petty Officer. T. Tindall, R.N.D., and Cpl. Ernest Wilson, Y. and L.
Croix De Guerre (Belgian).
Cpl. T. Lancaster, R.E., Cpl. .T. H. Saunders, R.G.A. (also Order of Leopold)
There are quite a number of others who have gained the distinction but official information has not yet to hand
The Hickleton Main Colliery Leave Fund has spent three new £319 in buying gold watches to be presented to each man who gains a medal for distinguished service for bravery.
A number of Thurnscoe men have been awarded the Mons Star.
Germany has treated her prisoners of war with systematic barbarity, and very early it was realised that unless some special effort was made at home, their sufferings, particularly from hunger, would become unendurable. Nearly all the regiments had their own Care Committees for sending parcels to Prisoners through the Red Cross. The Colliery Relief Fund subscribe £18 for the purpose. Relatives and friends naturally did their utmost to augment the scanty rations served out in the prisoners’ (limps, and efforts were publicly made to send assistance.
At the time of the signing of the Armistice the sum of £23 was in hand for sending food parcels. This was kept in hand, and has since been added to, and as each prisoner of war returns home, he is given a public welcome and presented with notes amounting to £5.