HONOURING THE LADS -Interesting Presentations to Military Medallists

SERGT. GEORGE DIGGLE

There was a large and enthusiastic audience at the Imperial hall on Friday evening, August 10th, to witness a public presentation to a felling resident, Sergt. George, 12th M.G.C., attached to the Northumberland Brigade, who had been awarded the Military Medal for gallant conduct on the field.

During an interval in the picture programme, Mr. S.J. Freeman, on behalf of the proprietors of the hall, introduced the members of the “Honour-the-Lads” Committee, and the hon. Secretary, Mr W.F. Olloman explained to the audience the history of the movement leading to that presentation, and said that the committee had been called into existence for the definite purpose of recognising local sailors and soldiers who had won distinction. Some were being honoured by their employers and fellow workmen, but many of the medallists were coming home, and returning again to duty, unhonoured and unsung.

One or two members of the committee had taken a prominent part in the presentations to Sergt.-Major Ridley and Sergt.-Major Patterson, and their only reason for discontinuing the work was that they considered this devolved upon other shoulders, but now after three years of war, and no recognitions having taken place, they felt that some definite steps should be taken, so that every man, of whatever rank, who had brought honour to the district, should have a tangible token, however small, of the appreciation by the public of his valorous conduct.

In making the presentation, Mr. Olloman said he regretted that he had to make a series of apologies, in the first place that the medal had not arrived and in the second place, that someone more worthy had not come forward to make the presentation. However he fully appreciated the great honour which the committee had conferred upon him, and remarked to the audience they had before them, in Sergt. Diggle a Felling lad of whom they were all proud. (Applause.)

The deed for which he had been awarded the medal was that he had taken charge of a bombing party, after his officers had been placed “hors de combat,” and by his initiative and skill had turned a delicate position and brought the whole party into safety. (Tumultuous cheering) In handing a silver luminous watch to Sergt. Diggle he hoped it would mark the time of a happy termination of hostilities and a safe and happy return to his native town.

Mr. George Nicholson said he had a pleasing duty to perform on behalf of the committee, and asked Sergt. Diggle to accept a little present at his hands of a wallet containing a treasury note, which he knew would be a kindly remembrance to him of a pleasant evening, and which would also probably be of service to him during his short “leave” and afterwards, and serve to to remind him of their esteem and good wishes.

Sergt. Diggle having returned thanks, Mr Harry Ward in a few words thanked the management for the use of the hall.

SERGT. ALF. FITTES

On the following Friday night the committee attended the Grand Picture Hall, Pelaw, with the object of making a presentation to Sergt. Alf. Fittes, 13th D.L.I., who had been awarded the Military Medal.

The Chairman (Mr. R. Heslop) said they were out to honour a local lad who had won distinction on the battlefield. Sergt. Fittes was well known to them and it was because he was a resident of Pelaw that they had chosen that hall for the presentation. He was pleased to see such a large company present to do honour to one of their own lads. He introduced Mr. Harry Ward, who had been chosen because of his local connection to make the presentation.

Mr Ward said how glad he was to have that honour conferred upon him. He had known Sergt. Alf. Fittes from boyhood and had always found him to be made of the right stuff. He was Pelaw bred and born. He remembered Pelaw when it was little else but fields, but on no occasion had he ever felt so proud as at that moment when he was handing over to his friend a luminous watch, and wallet with treasury note, as a tribute to his bravery, for he been awarded the Military Medal for carrying bombs through a heavy barrage to the 8th London Regiment at Martinpuich. (Applause.)

Sergt. Fittes, who received a great ovation, thanked the audience for their warm reception and the committee for their present, which he said, was most unexpected.

A few words from the secretary calling attention to the committee’s objects, and the singing of the national Anthem made a fitting termination to a most interesting ceremony.

CORPL. E.I. BELL AND PRIVATE THOMAS DEVINE.

Later the same night, at the Imperial Hotel, there was a crowded house to witness the presentations to Corpl. E.I. Bell, 92nd Field Company, R.E., and Private Thomas Devine, of the R.A.M.C.

Mr. Olloman presided and in giving a resume of the work of the committee said he wished it to be plainly understood that no appeal had been made to anyone for funds, as the gentlemen on the platform were wholly responsible and only wished to show their appreciation of the gallant and devoted men who were bringing such honours to the district. In presenting the Military medal, Mr. Olloman said that as a most humble representative of His Majesty the King he had pleasure in placing the medal on Corpl. Bell’s breast, and trusted he would be long spared to have pleasure in the wearing of this token of appreciation from his King and Country.

Mr. R. Heslop expressed the great pleasure it afforded him to take part in the presentation to Corpl. Bell, who after eight years residence in their midst might safely be called a felling man, and as he had come to felling from Dunston they could claim him to be a gallant Tynesider. But now his home was in France, and he was merely here on a visit. He had been asked to present Corpl. Bell with a luminous watch and a wallet with a treasury note. He would find them most useful. A wallet he knew was dear to a soldier, and was used to hold those treasured messages from home and loved ones. The money would procure him some “baccy”, and help to gladden the remaining hours of his short leave.

The Chairman next called upon County Councillor P. Bennett to make the presentation to Pte. Thos. Devine, who had also been awarded the Military Medal.

Coun. Bennett said that had he the eloquence of the previous speakers he felt he might have done justice to the occasion but he could truly say, looking at Pte. Devine that to win a military honour was just what one might expect of him. He had known him from boyhood and thought it ludicrous that he should introduce Pte. Devine to a felling audience as most of those present knew him very well. He had endeavoured to get to know from Pte. Devine what he had done to secure the medal. But he was greatly disappointed, for never a word would he say. However, he understood the medal had been awarded for bringing in the wounded from No Man’s Land whilst under heavy fire. In handing over the watch and wallet Coun. Bennett said he knew they would be appreciated and he hoped Pte. Devine would spend the money wisely. He further expressed the hope that the recipient would be spared to come back and be a comfort to his widowed mother. (Applause.)

The proceedings were most enthusiastic throughout, each recipient being hailed with “For he’s a jolly good fellow”. The soldiers acknowledged in brief terms their appreciation of the gifts, Pte. Devine convulsing the “house” by thanking them for their – “ye knaw yersells.”

Transcription: Brenda Mcmahon