Mexborough and Swinton Times October 27, 1917

Roll of Honour
Ceremony at Kilnhurst

On Sunday afternoon a procession paraded the main thoroughfare of Kilnhurst, comprising the police and special constables, Messrs C.W.H. Peat, E. Tillotson, T. Henderson, A. Russell and J. Rawson (Swinton Council) Kilnhurst Price Band, Swinton and Kilnhurst Boy Scouts, under scoutmasters William Barlow and J Webster, the R.A.O.B., Swinton Divisional Ambulance Corps, under superintendent HS Witty, and officials from Warren Vale colliery.

The Kilnhurst Prize Band and the Scout Band played selections en route to the Parish Church. A very pretty service was conducted by the vicar (Rev F.W.Sheppard). Mrs Verity played selections on the organ. After a special prayer, the ceremony of this unveiling and dedicating a beautiful oak tablet containing the names of Kilnhurst men who are serving, or have served, was performed.

After singing the National Anthem, accompanied by the Kilnhurst Price Band, Lieut J Verity unveiled the role of honour, and the Rev J.H. Jennings dedicated it, afterwards reading the following names of men inscribed upon it:

J Brownlow, C Bentham, T Bamford, M Dakin, C Dobson, T Eady, H Fisher, H Foster, W Gladwin, J Godley, J Gulliver, Sgt Harvey, S Licence, H Rogers, C South, F Shaw, W Trafford, WH Tiptaft, C Kendall.

The roll of honour contains over 100 names, but the above are names of men who have fallen. It was expected that the present strength of the role will be doubled.

After dedication the Rev JH Jennings read from the text: “Great love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

He said that day (Trafalgar Day) they had come to honour the men were defending their homes with their lives. He asked those who had lost dear ones to look forward to reunion and make their sacrifices great blessings to those about them by living good lives, knowing that their dear ones were watching and waiting their entrance into heaven. He trusted that everybody, whether Romany or Dissenters, would view this shrine and consider the Parish Church as their church, for it belonged this to them.

The collection in church realised £7 0s 6d, for the Permanent Roll of Honour Fund. The collection taken en route will also be devoted to this fund.

There were beautiful wreaths to the memory of the fallen on the pulpit, the lectern and the roll of honour, presented by Mrs Verity.