Herbert Booth: presentation to Kimblesworth heroes
Newspaper article reporting Herbert Booth's escape from a prisoner of war camp
Kimblesworth Heroes
Disgraceful Procedure at presentations
Chairman’s extraordinary attitude
Meeting in Uproar. A challenge
On Sunday, the village of Kimblesworth was en fete when the inhabitants offered a splendid welcome to two more of their heroes who had won distinction in the war, and to one who had made his escape from Germany. The main street leading to the colliery was gaily bedecked with streamers and flags and “welcome home” was observed on every hand. The boy scouts turned out with their bugle band under Scoutmaster Vest, while a procession started from Woodlands Terrace, Nettlesworth, headed by the Sacriston Town Band which drew together quite a large concourse of people. They paraded to the Temperance Hall, which needless to say was quickly packed, every inch of standing room being occupied, and several hundred were unable to gain admission. The hall too had been gaily festooned for the occasion very effectively. The chair was taken by Mr. W. Armin, secretary to the Miner’s Lodge, and he was supported on the platform by Mr. T. H. Cann, general secretary Durham Miner’s Association; Mr. H. Kirton, manager of the Kimblesworth Colliery; Mr. J. T. Atkinson, hon. Secretary to the Welcome Home Fund; Mr. R. Hodgeson, hon. Treasurer; Mr Walker, representative of the Comrades of the Great War, Sacriston; together with Corp. R. Gibbon, R. R., Corp. J. Mulgrew , and Pte. H. Booth, D.L.I., the heroes of the day. They all received a most hearty welcome as they ascended the platform.
The chairman said he was pleased that so many had assembled for the purpose of showing their appreciation of the lads who formally worked at Kimblesworth Colliery, and had won distinction on the fields of Flanders. He had wondered at one time if the same enthusiasm would be displayed for these boys who had lately won distinctions as was given to the lads during the early part of the war, and he was glad to see that the same feelings did exist. To those whom presentations were to be made that day he extended a hearty welcome home again on behalf of the people of the village. (Applause)……
The chairman said the next presentation they were about to make was a unique one, and then gave the following incidents of Pte. H. Booth’s escape:
Pte. H. Booth enlisted 9th November, 1914, into the 8th Durham Light Infantry, and went to France July 7th 1916. He gained the Military Medal at the battle of Arras, in April 1917, for accompanying an officer on a daylight patrol. This medal was presented to him by Mr. Cann in October, 1917, together with a gold watch from the workmen of the colliery. On May 27th, 1918, he was taken a prisoner at Craonne by the Germans and from four to five weeks worked in their lines making railways and removing shell dumps. Whilst doing this he was always looking out for an opportunity to rejoin his own side. This came one very dark night when Booth and other three chums made a hole in the ground with their hands under the barbed wire forming the internment cage and got out about 11 pm. After travelling for four nights and hiding during the day time in any suitable place they could find they reached the French lines about 2 am on June 29th and got into the trenches. They travelled along the trench for about twenty yards when they were met by some French soldiers who mistaking them for Germans began bombing them, with the result that Booth was hit on the head and rendered unconscious. Booth was taken to a French hospital and is now almost alright again except that he still carries a piece of shrapnel in his right leg. During the four nights of travel they had nothing to eat and owing to their living for weeks on black bread (which Booth describes as like eating sawdust), and barley water, with more water than barley, they were almost exhausted when they reached safety and felt they could go no further. They had travelled about 30 kilometres, which is about 20 miles, and had a very narrow escape from being taken prisoners again on the last night, when they nearly walked on to the top of a German machine gun position. It fortunately happened that the Germans were being relieved and as they were moving about they heard them and kept clear. Had all been quiet, Booth said they would have run right into them, and that would have meant their being prisoners again.
Mr. Kirton then handed to Pte Booth a handsome gold chain and pendant suitably inscribed.
Pte. Booth briefly returned thanks and referred to the good work carried out by the Committee who were doing such good work for the boys at the front. (Loud cheers).
Date: 12-Oct-1918
Author: Chester-Le-Street Chronicle
Where to find this: With thanks to the Chester-Le-Street Heritage Group
Contributed by Fiona Johnson - Durham
