"Welcome Home.
An interesting function took place at the Gaiety Theatre, Houghton-le-Spring . . .on Saturday afternoon, when a number of recently demobilised soldiers were accorded a welcome home. . . .Mr. Austin Kirkup presented the Military Medal to Lance-Corpl. Liddle, Pte. J.W. Fish and Pte. J. Chesterton, eulogising each on having distinguished himself. Gold watches were subsequently presented to 22 other soldiers."

The same newspaper of 09/09/1920 reports:

"Miners' Hall re-opening.
The Houghton-le-Spring Miners' Hall was re-opened on Wednesday night. To celebrate the occasion a concert was held. . . .Mr. Kirkup, on behalf of the Lodge, presented gold watches to the following who gained distinctions in the war:

Messrs. G. Holmes, D.C.M.; J? Palmer, M.M.; G. Napier, M.M.; J?. White, M.M.; R. Danby, M.S.M.; and J.T. Dawkin, M.M.

Mr. W. Pender, Mrs. Ord and Mrs. Patrick also received watches, the son of the first named and the husbands of the latter two having made the supreme sacrifice after each had been awarded the Military Medal."