South Yorkshire Times, July 29th, 1944
Darfielders Meet Overseas
Bombardier Harry Thomas Beilby (26), is the son of Mrs. Beilby and the late Mr. Beilby of Nanny Marr, Darfield. His father died while he was in Italy. He joined the R.A. at the outbreak of war, and three years ago went to the Middle East. He moved into Italy just after Christmas. A holder of the Africa Star, he formally attended Darfield Church School and worked for some years at Houghton Main Colliery. He has met Jack Pugsley, of Darfield while abroad.
Three In Italy
Mr. and Mrs T. Twaite, 1, Adwick cottages, Wath, have two sons serving with the Army in Italy and all have had battle experience. Driver Clarence Twaite, (27), R.A.S.C. has been abroad for over three years with the Eighth Army in North Africa, Malta and in the Sicily and Italy landings where he was driver of an amphibious vehicle. Pte. George Twaite, (26), of the York and Lancaster Regiment has served abroad two years in twelve different countries. He was wounded at the beginning of this year. He joined the Forces 4 ½ years ago. Cpl. Leslie Hipkin, Mr. and Mrs. Twaite’s son-n-law, who is with the Military Police, recently met Clarence in Italy.
Military Medallist
Sgt. A. Handley (29), of the York and Lancs. Regiment, joined up in February 1933, and has seen active service in Palestine, France, Norway and Sicily. He was wounded in Sicily, and awarded the Military Medal while serving in Italy. He has two brothers serving Tpr. L. Handley (34), R.A.C. and Pte. S. Handley (22), Essex Regiment.
Service Snaps
Eric Lackey joined the Royal Engineers some two years ago, and is stationed in Scotland. A son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Lackey of West Street, Darfield, Eric has recently had news that his only brother has passed out as a Sergeant Air Gunner in the R.A.F.
Serving in this country with the Royal Engineers is Sapper Raymond Wooding (20), elder son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Wooding of 111a Main Street, Mexborough. He has been two years in the Forces, before which he was employed at Messrs. Gallons, Mexborough, and a member of the Civil Defence Messenger Service.
Gunner Driver William Shaw, R.A., elder son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Shaw of 92, Chaucer Road, Mexborough, has been in the Forces for nearly three years, and has seen service in Africa, Sicily and Italy. He is 22. Gunner Shaw has met a number of Mexborough boys while serving abroad.