"Presentation of the D.C.M. to Sergt. J. Tindle.
Interesting ceremony at Lemington.

Sergt. J. Tindle, R.E., of Lemington, who was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for bravery in mining operations at the front, was honoured last night by the Lemington and Sugley Soldiers' and Sailors' Welcome Society. The Newcastle Volunteer Training Corps Band (Spencer Steel Works), together with members of the corps, paraded the street, and the medal was presented at an open-air meeting held near the Co-operative Stores. In addition he received a purse containing £5 from the Welcome Society, and a silver cigarette case and wallet containing £5 from the officials and workmen of the North Walbottle Colliery, where Sergt. Tindle was employed before joining the army. Mr. E.E. Spencer presided.

The Chairman congratulated Sergt. Tindle on coming forward and placing his services at the disposal of the country, on having done his duty nobly at the front, and performed a brave act of which they were proud, and upon coming safely back. He also wished that good fortune would continue to attend him when he returned to the front.

Father Savory, of Bell's Close, made the presentation in behalf of the society, and concluded he had been asked to do so because Sergt. Tindle was an old Bell's Close schoolboy. There was a time when people of this country suspected that Catholics were not loyal. That was never true, but in the present war the deeds of the Catholics had proved their loyalty to be as great as anyone. He then handed over the money to Sergt. Tindle, and said he was proud of the Bell's Close boy.

Mr. R.N. Fowler, on behalf of the officials and workmen of the North Walbottle Colliery, handed over the cigarette case and the wallet containing £5, and said the workmen at the colliery were proud of Sergt. Tindle, and the testimonial of one of the oldest workman was that he was every inch a man.

Mr. W.J. Noble, of West Denton Hall, handed over the D.C.M., and said that one result of the war was that it had produced a solidarity amongst all classes of the community, and he hoped in the future the sympathy between workmen and employers would continue. Sergt. Tindle before he joined the Army was 12 years at North Walbottle Colliery. In November, 1914, long before they heard of Lord Derby's scheme and the Military Service Act, Sergt. Tindle volunteered to serve his King and country. He joined the Tyneside Irish and later joined the mining section, which consisted of picked men, and subsequently he went to the engineers. On February 8, 1916, Sergt. Tindle was recommended for the D.C.M., for special gallantry and good work during mining operations. When the enemy exploded a mine Sergt. Tindle went down the shaft and rescued a man without rescue apparatus. He had also frequently worked under circumstances of great personal risk. Sergt. Tindle had a record of which any man could be proud. He belonged to a class respected throughout the country. The Northumberland miners had always been men of sterling and independent character, and produced men that had won the highest position, one having the dignified title of Father of the House of Commons. They appreciated to the full the services Sergt. Tindle had rendered. He could have claimed exemption as being in a reserved occupation, but Sergt. Tindle did not do so. He had never hesitated to take the post of danger, and responded when delicate work had to be done. He had won honour for himself and family, and maintained the prestige of the British Army. Sergt. Tindle was leaving for the front that night and he hoped he would return again with further honours.

Sergt. Tindle briefly responded and said that since he had enlisted he had endeavoured to do his duty to his superiors and his fellow workmen. After the appreciation of that night he would try harder when he returned to the front. He concluded by again thanking the donors of the gifts."