For Services
Rendered in
The Great War
1914-1919
Rear
With the
Pelton Owners
Appreciation
Pte.
William Gardiner

Acknowledgements: -Chester-le-Street Heritage Group Archives

Northern Weekly Gazette 11/09/1921

Honouring the Brave.

Dear Daddy,
I wish to tell about how Pelton Fell Colliery honoured their war heroes. Sir Horace Plunkett came to present each soldier with a medal provided by the colliery owners. There was tea provided for the soldiers, and at one shilling for their friends. The friends paid sixpence each to enter into the Whitehill Hall grounds to see it. The proceeds were in aid of the blinded soldiers. There was dancing in the grounds, and the band attended. The colliery owners are also erecting houses for the fallen heroes' widows, and they are to have free house and coals and gas as long as they remain widows. At night there was a grand display of fireworks. There was rockets shooting up and bursting into the colours of red, gold, silver, green, blue, and violet at a great height. There was also some fireworks made into the shapes of two cocks, and they were made to fight. There was also some many coloured lights lit behind the trees, and it made a beautiful picture. There were some words made of fireworks which looked splendid in the darkness. They were "Hearty Greetings" and "Accept our appreciation for your excellent work" and the last one was "Good night".
Hoping the Circle members and yourself have a jolly holiday. I remain, your loving member,
Katie McKenley Pelton Fell.