HONOUR FOR JEWISH SOLDIER
Distinguished Conduct Medal
We are pleased to be able to announce that a Jewish soldier, Private Nat Freshwater, R.A.M.C., has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and a grant of £50, in recognition of his bravery. Ion October 22nd last, he led a party of stretcher bearer under heavy rifle fire for a quarter of a mile, to bring back a wounded Sergeant. Private Freshwater announced the news of the award in the following terms in a letter he sent from the front:-
“Dearest Ray and Esther, - Good news. I have been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and also a grant of “50. I expect you will see my name in the paper before you receive this letter ... The medal is one of the highest honours a private soldier can get ... Your loving husband and daddie, NAT.”
Writing to Mrs Freshwater, the Headmaster of the Swan Street Council School states:-
Please accept the warm congratulations of my teachers and scholars in the matter of your husband’s bravery. We feel most proud that we have a little girl of such a brave soldier attending our Schools. All our children have heard of his heroic deed, and cheer him for it, and we sincerely hope that we may have the pleasure of seeing him on a visit to ouir School after the War, or when he comes home, wearing his well earned medal.
Pte. Freshwater is most popular among his fellows, and he has received their best wishes on his act of bravery. He served throughout the South African Campaign and possesses a four-bar medal.