TOPIC:

The plaque is on the Merkat Cross.





RETURN OF AN ACTIVE SERVICE VOLUNTEER . - Quite a revival of the enthusiasm which greeted the return of the first Service Company of Volunteers when they arrived home - although of course on a smaller scale - was that which was evinced on Monday evening when Private J. M. Irvine returned to the town. Private Irvine was one of the second Service Company who left for South Africa in March, and he has been invalided home with a bad leg. Private Irvine was expected to arrive in the middle of the day, and a considerable number of people gathered at the station at that time, and also at the seven train. They were doomed to disappointment, however, for the returning warrior did not appear till nine o'clock at night. As the train steamed into the station several fog signals exploded, and when the Volunteer emerged from the station doorway he was besieged by a cheering, frantic crowd, each one eager to shake hands with the man from the front, or to get sight of him. Amidst the surging crowd he made his way slowly to the end of Buccleuch Road, but here he was allowed to walk no further. Several men hoisted him on their shoulders, and, followed by the majority of the crowd, they carried him along Station Road, across the old wooden bridge and thence to his place of abode in Bridge Street. Even after the warrior had been lodged in his house, safe "from the madding crowd" the cheering continued outside, and it was only when it was recognised that nothing more was to be seen that the crowd dispersed.

The Southern Reporter, Thursday 19th September 1901


The six Selkirk men who formed part of the Company arrived home on Monday by the train due at Selkirk at 11.37. They were Privates William Donaldson, James Grieve, John W. Henderson, James Nichol, Richard Renwick, and Thomas Stoddart. Nine men of the Selkirk Detachment went out with the Second Service Company, but of the other three one - Private John M. Irvine - was invalided home last September, and the other two - Privates W. Brown and A. Lauder - have remained behind in South Africa, having, we understand, obtained employment there. On arriving at Selkirk the men were accorded a most enthusiastic welcome. The train steamed into the station to the accompaniment of a salvo of fog-signals and the cheers of those assembled on the platform. These included Major D. C. Alexander and Lieutenant M. Craig-Brown; Provost Russell, Bailies Linton and Park, several of the Town Councillors, and the Town Clerk; Sheriff-Substitute Smith, Mr T. Craig-Brown, Rev. G. Lawson, and Rev. A. Tweedie, and the relations of the returned Volunteers, all of whom extended to them a hearty welcome as they emerged from the carriage. Outside the station an immense crowd had assembled - several of the mills having stopped work for an hour - and here also a considerable number of the Selkirk Company of Volunteers were drawn up, with their pipe band, while the Town's Band was also present. On coming out of the station the men from the front, looking bronzed and tanned, were greeted with loud and prolonged cheering, waving of handkerchiefs, &c., and many of their eager friends pressed forward to shake hands with them. The cheering and other demonstrations of welcome were renewed as the men, with their comrades as escort, marched off up Station Road to the music of the pipe band. These demonstrations were continued till the Market Place was reached, the entire streets being lined with spectators. As the procession passed up the foot of The Green a salute was fired at Woodburn by way of welcome, and the Town Hall and Parish Church bells were also rung. The streets were gaily decorated with flags, bannerettes, and streamers. A brief halt was made in the Market Place, where the Provost called for three cheers for the Second Service contingent of Selkirk Volunteers. Three were loudly and heartily given, and the band having played "God save the King," Major Alexander, on behalf of the men, returned thanks to the Provost, the Town Council, and all others who had given the Service men such a hearty reception. The men were then marched to the Volunteer Hall, amid renewed cheering. On arriving inside the hall, the men were addressed by Major Alexander. He said they had got notice rather late that they were coming with that train, and consequently they had not been able to welcome them in quite the manner they would have liked. They would like to have entertained the company, and perhaps have a service in the church, and so forth. All the same they, and the whole town, were delighted that they had come home from the arduous and troublesome duties which had fallen upon them in South Africa. They gave them a very hearty welcome in spirit, and they tried to convey their feelings by giving them a cheer. He did not know what would be done by the town as regards that Company. He had no official information on the subject. He believed there was to be something in the way of a roll of honour placed at the Victoria Hall somewhere, giving all the names of the men. If he had been asked if it was a suitable manner to keep in an everlasting way the memory of those in the town who had been at the war, he should at once have heartily agreed that it was. He had no doubt that the Town Council would do something suitable. Major Alexander then called for three cheers for the newly returned Volunteers, which were given lustily. Private Henderson, in name of the men, replied, returning thanks for the very hearty reception they had got. The men were then dismissed, and after renewing old acquaintances and chatting to their friends, they proceeded to their homes. We understand that the medals to be given to the men by the Town Council will be presented on the arrival of the Third Service Company, who are expected to be home before long. Private Walter Hogg, 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers, has also arrived home. He has the distinction of having been on service during the whole war, and has seen more of it than any other native of Selkirk.

The Southern Reporter, Thursday 26th June 1902