Royal Navy Division, 3rd Field Ambulance Brigade, Service no. 3251
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Dan Booth was the second man from Kippax to win the Military Medal. Born on the 7th September 1875, he was the son of Richard Booth and Hannah Farrar, and married Jane Suart in Kippax on the 4th June 1900. His war-time bravery was first reported on the 18th August 1915, in the article below entitled ‘Kippax Man Mentioned in Despatch’:
In a special supplement of the ‘London Gazette,’ issued last week, was given the names of officers and men of the Royal Navy Division, etc., forwarded by General Sir Ian Hamilton, commanding the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, on June 12th, as deserving of special mention for their services during operations up to that period. This included the name of Sergt. Daniel Booth, 3251 of the No.3 Field Ambulance, Royal Navy Division, whose wife and child live at Butt Hill, Kippax. Prior to the war Booth was a miner employed by Messrs. T. and R.W. Bower at the Bowers Allerton Colliery. He has been much interested in ambulance work for many years, and was a sergeant in the local ambulance corps. He went out early in the year as a private, but was soon promoted. He was wounded on May 29th, a bullet entering his thigh and passing out above his knee. No information has yet been received as to what particular action he has performed which has caused him to be thus honoured, and the news is eagerly awaited. He was a member of the Parish Church Men’s Bible Class, ten members of which are now serving their country in various capacities.
A further report concerning Daniel Booth was printed 29th December 1916, transcribed below, entitled ‘Kippax Military Medallists.’
Staff-Sergt. D. Booth, of the 3rd Field Ambulance, Royal Navy Division, whose home is at 3 Butt Hill, Kippax, has been awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery in attending his officer, who was wounded somewhere in France. He joined the Forces on Jan. 4th 1915, and after six weeks at Crystal Palace, London, he proceeded with the Naval Division to Egypt. He was present at the landing at the Peninsula, and was at the Dardanelles for nine months, until the evacuation took place. During this period he was twice mentioned in dispatches, and also received a certificate for conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. After spending a few weeks resting he was sent to France, and while on the Somme Front he obtained the coveted distinction.
Staff Sergeant Booth won the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) on the 18th July 1917, “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion in evacuating wounded from a heavily shelled collecting post. His magnificent example greatly contributed to steady the men, who were suffering heavy casualties.”
On 13th August 1917, it was reported that his accomplishments had been celebrated at home in an article entitled “Honouring a Kippax hero”:
On Saturday evening a most interesting event took place at Kippax, under the auspices of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Comforts Fund, a presentation being made to another Kippax hero, Staff-Sergt. D. Booth, whose home is at Butt Hill. For just over 2½ years he has been serving with the R.N.D. Field Ambulance Brigade both in Gallipoli and France, and has been awarded both the Military Medal and the D.C.M. The committee took the opportunity of Sergeant Booth’s home leave to honour him by presenting to him a gold watch, and complimenting him on the distinctions he has gained, and the honour he has brought to the village. The presentation took place at the Church Sunday School, in the presence of a large company. Mr. W.S. Blackburn, manager for Messrs. T and R.W Bowers Ltd, (at whose works Sergt. Booth was employed prior to joining the Forces), took the chair, and was supported on the platform by the Rev. E.B. Smith, Mr. G.P. Walker, Mr. A. Plows, Mr. D. Adams, Mr. L. Bickerdike, Mr. M. Smales, and Staff-Sergt. D. Booth. The proceedings opened by the singing of the National Anthem, accompanied by Kippax Old Band. The Chairman expressed great pleasure at being present on such an occasion, and to meet again Sergt. Booth, whom he had known for a long time. They were, he said, all greatly pleased at the honours he had won. Sergt. Booth had been twice mentioned in despatches. On November 14th 1916, he was awarded the Military Medal, and on April 20th 1917, the D.C.M. for distinguished conduct on the field. He was glad they had such men who did not fail in their duty, and he hoped it would be an incentive to all at home to stand firm and do their duty. The Rev. E. B. Smith, on behalf of the Committee, made the presentation, and spoke of his intimate knowledge of Sergt. Booth, who had been a member of his Men’s Bible Class for a number of years, and he also said how pleased he was to have the honour of presenting that beautiful watch to Sergt. Booth as a token of respect and esteem from his fellow townsmen. Sergt. Booth was enthusiastically received, and said he was deeply thankful to his many friends for their kindness to him. He was pleased to know that deeds of bravery were recognised by those at home, but he would like to urge upon all to help the lads who were wounded and disabled when they came home. The opportunity would undoubtedly come, and he hoped they would do their best for them. He heartily thanked them all for their handsome gift. The watch bore the following inscription:- “Presented to Staff-Sergeant D. Booth, R.N.D., 3rd Field Ambulance, by the Kippax Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Comforts Fund, for conspicuous bravery and in securing the M.M. and the D.C.M., 1917.”
Daniel Booth was demobilized from the Navy on 22nd February 1919. He returned to Kippax for six more years, before moving to Scarborough. In 1939, he was living with wife Jane as a retired Colliery Deputy at 8 Albemarle Crescent, Scarborough. He passed away in Scarborough on the 6th January 1955 aged 79, but was brought back to Kippax for burial.
Staff Sergeant Booth’s Navy record below, taken from the National Archives, highlights his accomplishments, but also shows that when he enlisted, he claimed to be two years younger than he actually was. Navy recruits had to be taller than 5 feet 3 inches (Dan was 5 feet 4¾ inches) and aged between 18 and 38. Dan was over 39 years-old, so would not have been accepted.
Kippax Roll of Honour 