Presentation made at Aberdare Liberal Club.
ABERDARE.
On Thursday evening a crowded meeting was held at the Aberdare Liberal Club for the purpose of giving Private W.H. THOMAS, a member of the club, who is selected to join the Volunteer company of the Royal Welsh for the front, a fitting send-off. He was presented with a silver albert, with matchbox and pendant bearing a suitable inscription attached, a purse of gold, and some cases of cigarettes. Speeches were delivered by Captain Phillips (commanding O. and P. Companies), Messrs D. Hughes (high constable), D. James, P.T. Rhys, and others.
Bugler HAYTER, of the Aberdare Detachment of Volunteers, has been selected to go to the front. Bugler DONOVAN, of the same detachment, had previously been selected.
Aberdare Times, 10th February 1900
Aberdare Men for the Front.
PATRIOTIC "SMOKER" AT THE CONSTITUTIONAL HALL.
Never has the patriotic spirit been more pronounced in Aberdare than on Friday night last at the Constitutional Hall, when Colonel Phillips presided at a "smoker" held in honour of the Aberdare men who had been called to the front. The selected volunteers in question - Private E. DAVIES, 5, Highland Place; Private George THOMAS, 78, Bwllfa Road; Private W.H. THOMAS, 20, Upper Regent Street; Corporal David GRIFFITHS, and Bugler James DONOVAN - were seated at a table near the Chairman. In the body of the hall were seated at tables the volunteers (in uniform) of the Aberdare Detachment of the 3rd V.B. Welsh regiment. The Chairman, who was supported by the officers of the detachment and several prominent townsmen, including the High Constable (Mr David Hughes), in addressing the audience said he wished in the first place to thank the ladies. The soldier was always fond of seeing ladies about. (Hear, hear). That had been his experience at Aberdare, at camp, or anywhere else. He was saying this in the presence of his wife; he was sure she would forgive him (laughter). He desired to thank the officers for having asked him to take the chair. Everyone deplored the present war, but, as a learned man had said, they must not turn back; they must see it through (hear, hear). Our men in the Transvaal, he thought, had done their duty to themselves and to their Queen and country (hear, hear). The foes were a strong lot, and had shown themselves well worthy of our steel. He hoped they would have a little more of it. He was glad the opportunity had been given for our men to show what metal they were made of. When he first became a volunteer, 36 years ago, he well remembered the sneers which the volunteers had to listen to, and they were often told that if they were called upon they would run away. He had always prophesied that if the volunteers were called upon at any time they would do their duty as well as any other soldiers in the country (hear, hear). And that had now been proved. Ten-fold of the number of volunteers applied for active service had eagerly sought for a position at the front. It was intended that Mr P.T. Rhys should recite the "Absent Minded Beggar," in order to collect a few trifles for the men to take with them some little comforts. And when they (the men) came home they would receive such a reception in Aberdare that had never been known there before. He would say a little about the fund for the support of the reservists' families.
