County: Dumfriesshire
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 13/12/1900
Number issued: 6
Gold medals, to:
DEATH OF AN ANNAN VOLUNTEER.
On Saturday the sad news reached Annan of the death at Pretoria on July 26th of Pte. A. LOUDON (6968), Volunteer Company 1st Scottish Borderers Regiment, third son of Mr. D.C. Loudon, tailor and clothier, Port Street. He is reported to have died of enteric, the disease which has carried off so many of our brave soldiers during the past nine months. Pte. LOUDON is the third victim belonging to Annan who has succumbed to the ravages of this disease, Piper L[illegible] and Pte. AIRLIE being the two previous ones, the former dying at Kimberley and the latter at Pretoria. This is the first break in the Dumfries contingent of twenty-eight men who volunteered for the front. The deceased was about 20 years of age, and was sent out along with Ptes. McKINNIE [sic], BEATTIE, and McGALLIOG [sic] from Annan. They received an enthusiastic send-off and were recipients of the Burgess ticket at Dumfries.
Not long ago his parents received a letter from him describing the terrible hardships and privations through which he had passed. He expressed a wish that the war would soon come to an end, and that he would be able to reach home again. The news of his death was received with deep sorrow by his numerous friends, and great sympathy is felt for the relatives of deceased. Pte. LOUDON was a keen angler, while he was also an enthusiastic shot. As a marksman he was classed very high, and gave promise of becoming the shot of the south of Scotland. At Bisley last year he won £1 in the Barlow Competition. He also won £8 and was second in the Railway Tyro Competition, making a total score of 34 at 200 yards. He made the possible of 35 in May last year he won the N.B. Recruits' [illegible] at Dumfries. At Annan he won the Recruits' silver medal, along with other prizes in 1897, while in 1898 he won the special prize of a pair of field glasses, presented by Councillor Scott. Last year he also won the grand aggregate prize at Annan. Those are a few of his principal winnings, but he won many other prizes in carrying off everything in his class.
ANNAN.
Last night two of the Annan Volunteers who have been on active service in South Africa, viz. – Private Thomas McGUFFOG and Private Robert BEATTIE – arrived home and were met by their comrades, the Annan Volunteer Corps. The Provost, Magistrates, and Town Council were also present at the station to meet the men arriving with the 5.13 express. Headed by the pipers of the Volunteers, the men were conducted to the Town Hall, where short speeches were delivered. It may be mentioned that Lieutenant CUNNINGHAM and several other Annan men have not yet left the Cape for home, and until their arrival the ceremony of a public welcome to the men has been postponed. Each service man is to be presented with a gold medal at a banquet to be held in their honour.
Volunteers’ Home-Coming.
ANNAN.
The Annan contingent of active service men – Lieut. CUNNINGHAM, Privates McGUFFOG, BEATTIE, MAXWELL, and McKIMMIE – arrived last night. A great public reception was given in the Drill Hall. Dr Crichton, chaplain of the corps, who presided, referred to the great benefit which the representatives of our Volunteers would derive from being out in the South African war. He referred in feeling terms to the death of Private LOUDON, one of the Annan service men. Provost Muir made the presentation of gold medals to the service men. The medals contained the burgh coat of arms and a suitable inscription. A dinner was held afterwards. Provost Muir proposed “Our Guests,” and Lieut. CUNNINGHAM replied. Provost Glover, Dumfries, was also present.
Edinburgh Evening News, 1st December 1900
This shows the Moffat medal, which appears to be identical to the Annan tribute.
Group to 6967 Private John McKIMMIE, comprising QSA, Dumfries Tribute and Annan Tribute.
With thanks to Volunteer
