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1901 - The return to Gloucester of the Imperial Yeomanry.

....On Tuesday the citizens of Gloucester extended a hearty welcome to the Yeomanry who have recently returned from active seivice in South Africa. The Barrack Square was filled with an eager crowd shortly after 11 o'clock, when the men paraded prior to a service at the Cathedral. The men were drawn up in quarter column, and their bright uniforms presented a very pretty spectacle, the khaki dress of the returned warriors appearing somewhat sombre against the gay attire of their comrades. His Grace the Duke of Beaufort, K.G., was in command, and the other officers present were Lord Charles Bentinck, Lieut.-Col. Henry, Major Matthews, Major Calvert, Major Bishop, Captain Cordwell, Captain Lindsay, Captain Stacey. Lieut. George Codrington. and Lieut. Talbot. The officers in command of the returned Yeomen were Col. Golightly, Capt. Hill. Capt. Graham Clarke, Lieut. Burmester. Lieut. Clifford, and Lieut. the Hon. R. B. F. Robertson. A detachment of the Volunteer Artillery, under Major Metford, took part in the proceedings, and the band of the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars, under Bandmaster Hatton, preceded the procession to the Cathedral. In all there were some 150 men on parade, and the scene was altogether of a very impressive character. [ . . . ] After service the men proceeded to the Corn Exchange, where a substantial luncheon was placed on the tables by Mr. J. A. Fisher, the room having been very nicely decorated, a very choice selection of plants having been supplied by Messrs. Roberts and Starr. The whole of the decorations above the floor level, which presented a bright and striking appearance, were carried out by Messrs. Cole and Sons, of Aldate-street and Barton-street, Gloucester, and consisted of numerous shields, Union Jacks, and other flag decorations. At the top of the room were two large mottoes, "Gloucestershire welcomes home her heroes" and "Well done Imperial Yeomanry." "In memory of our fallen heroes," surrounded with laurel leaves, was mounted half-way down the hall, and opposite was a banner displaying the now historic names of Wittinbergen (Cape Colony), and Senekal, Vrede, Ficksburg, Hammonia, Harrismith, Winburg, Reitz, Wepener, and Bethlehem (Transvaal), where the men have served with distinction. The chair was occupied by Sir John Doringlon, Bart., M.P., who [ . . . ] proposed "The Army of South Africa and the Gloucestershire squadron of the Imperial Yeomanry who have returned from active service." He said that Englishmen had readily flocked in to defend their country, and Gloucestershire had not been backward in finding men to fight in South Africa. Something like 8,000 Yeomen had gone forth from this country, and this showed that those who, like himself, had always regarded the Yeomanry as a very useful force were in the right. England's strength did not alone rest with her Regular Army, because that might be regarded as simply centra! organisation, but the multitude of her strength lay with her sons all over the world. They were met that day to show their indebtedness to the patriotism of the Yeomen and the Volunteers, who had enabled England to show to the world a body of men such as no other nation could boast of. These men had shown themselves able to deal with strange methods of warfare, and it had once more been proved that when Englishmen once set themselves to do a thing they did it well. (Applause.) He was delighted to see those men who were present safe and sound back again, but they must not forget the list of those of their regiment who had laid down their lives for their country. They were: Lieutenant Cavendish Browne and Sergt. J. Reeves (Bredon), Privates H. Brookes (Luckington Farm), B. Hadley (Coaley), A. J. Harris, P. G. Harris (Berkeley), E. Hope (Cheltenham), A. M. Jones, E. S .Neale (Wotton-under-Edge), A. E. Stockwell (Stonehouse), P. Thomas and W. Williams (Abergavenny). Sir John concluded by referring to the fact that his connection with the regiment had extended over 30 years, and he felt sure they would be ready to go forth and defend their homes whenever called upon.
....The Duke of Beaufort then proceeded to distribute war medais to those who had not already received these trophies. He expressed regret that the tobacco boxes which had been ordered for presentation had not yet arrived, and announced that they would be forwarded to the men in due course. He advised all those who had returned to continue to serve their regiment, because the War Office had issued an order to the effect that all Yeomanry regiments which fell short of 200 men for two years running would be disbanded. Their regiment had been in existence for a good many years, and had occupied a foremost place amongst the Yeomanry of England. He hoped it would continue in full strength, and be ever ready to serve old England whenever an occasion arose. Each recipient was loudly cheered, but it was exceedingly pathetic to see the relatives of those who had fallen in South Africa step forward to take the medals won by those upon whom they will never look again. Col. Henry proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman in eulogistic terms, and Sir John having briefly acknowledged the compliment, the company dispersed.
The Gloucester Citizen, Saturday 10th August 1901

....As a result of the local subscription some £70 was subscribed, and at a luncheon on Thursday [8th August] at the Berkeley Arms Hotel the returned members of the Berkeley troop were each presented with a silver tankard, with suitable inscription—viz., Sergeant-Major B. W. Neale, Quartermaster-Sergeant Victor C. Young, Lance-Corporal Toulmin, Shoeing-Smith Barton, Troooers R. Neale, A. Laver, M. G. Gorton, A. E. Morgan, F. Jones, and King (the two latter being unavoidably absent). Lord Fitzhardinge presided, the vice-chair being occupied by Mr. T. B. Croome, and the attendance numbered about 60. His lordship proposed "The King," following which Mr. W. Legge gave "The Bishop and Clergy and Ministers of all Denominations." The Rev. Canon Stackhouse responded. Mr. C. Scott proposed "The Navy, Army, and Reserved Forces," to which Sergeant John Cornock replied. Lord Fitzhardinge then proposed "Our Guests," and sakl that everybody was delighted to see them back again, looking so fit and well, and if they were a fair sample of the Imperial Yeomanry he did not wonder they had done so well as everybody said they had, it being admitted from all quarters that the Imperial Yeomanry had saved the situation. He then presented the cups to the men, but asked them to leave them to have the inscriptions put on. Sergeant Major Neale and Quartermaster-Sergeant Young returned thanks on behalf of themselves and their comrades.
The Gloucester Journal, Saturday 10th August 1901

....The 3rd Company Imperial Yeomanry, which was largely recruited from the Royal Gloucester Hussars, received a great official welcome at Gloucester on Tuesday from the county and regiment. The men, who hail from all parts, but chiefly from Gloucester, Glamorgan, and Monmouth, were received in the Barracks-square by the Duke of Beaufort, the colonel commanding the Gloucestershire Hussars, and the officers and men of the regiment, as well as Sir John Dorington and other county gentlemen. Shortly before midday they marched to the Cathedral, escorted by the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars, accompanied by the local Volunteers, where a thanksgiving service took place, Dean Spence preaching. Special music was rendered. Afterwards the Active Service Company, with the local and county Volunteers and others, moved off to the Corn Exchange, where the men were entertained to a public luncheon. Those men who had not already received them were presented with war medals by the Duke of Beaufort. It had been arranged that each should receive a suitably inscribed match box, but these had not arrived from the makers. Among the Welsh members of the company who took part in the proceedings were Civil Surgeon Campbell Jenkins, Farrier-Sergeant Williams, Corporal S. Bowyer, Troopers D. J. Lewis, Watkins, W, Thomas, Armstrong, Strachan, J, Williams, Ivor Rees, J. Horton (all of Cardiff), Troopers T. E. Jones, R. L. Ferrier, C. Ferrier, and T. Devonald (all of Penarth), Shoeing-Smith T. Cronin and Trooper T. Sandford (both of Pontypool), Trooper T. Griffiths (Dinas Powis), Sergeant-Major J. Hillier, Corporals De Rees and J. W. Stratton, Shoeing-Smiths Vincent and C. E. Cavell (all of Newport), and Sergeant Hoddell (Monmouth). Trooper McGuire (Cwmbran) and Trooper Lambert Hillier (Newport) were left sick in South Africa.
Cardiff Times, Saturday 10th August 1901