County: Nairnshire
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 01/05/1901
Number issued: 8 or 10
Gold badges, to:
Volunteer Active Service Company, Cameron Highlanders ["I" Company, 1st V.B.C.H.] –
6257 Bugler James CAMERON
6270 Private Colin KINNAIRD
6271 Private William LOGAN
6284 Private Roderick MACKENZIE
6310 Private Alexander ROSS
6312 Private William ROSS
and 2 unnamed volunteers
Presentation made by Mrs Russell (wife of Major Russell), in the Drill Hall, Ardersier.
Inscribed: "A SOUVENIR / TO THE HONOUR OF / [PTE W. LOGAN] / I COY. 1ST V.B.C.H. ARDERSIER / FOR / S.A. WAR SERVICES / 1901".
Supplied and engraved by Mr Macrae, jeweller, Inverness.
Note: "two men of the Ardersier contingent have remained in South Africa, having joined the Scottish Horse" - did these men receive medals at a later date?
Inverness Courier, 20/03/1900
Information provided by Paul Dunn and Roger Watt
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Inverness Courier, 3rd May 1901
THE ARDERSIER CONTINGENT.
The Ardersier men of the Cameron Highlanders Service Company arrived in Ardersier on Tuesday afternoon. They were welcomed by a large crowd at Fort George Station. The village was decorated with flags, and arches spanned the High Street at various points. Another welcome was given on Wednesday in the Drill Hall.
Under the chairmanship of Major Russell, Treeton, a crowded meeting was held, at which many ladies were present, and representatives of Ardersier, Petty, Croy, Cawdor, and Delnies. Major Russell briefly explained the nature of the meeting, having in his immediate front the returned heroes, dressed just as they landed – in faded khaki and torn and colour-cast kilts. Mahor Russell spoke of the actions in which they had been engaged, and of the long and frequent marches they had accomplished, and welcomed them home. Mrs Russell, wife of Major Russell, then pinned a gold badge to the breast of each of the eight men. Each badge bore the following inscription: - “A souvenir in honour of (recipient’s name), 1st Volunteer Battalion Cameron Highlanders, Ardersier, for South African services. 1901”. This being finished amidst the cheering of the meeting, “God Save the King” was sung. A concert was the begun, the programme beginning with “Soldiers of the Queen” by Cyclist D. Macbean and ending with “Ho ro mo nighean donn bhoideach” by Alex Cameron. This last item was received with enthusiasm, seeing that it was sung by the father of one of the Service Company. He had to sing another in response to repeated calls. Votes of thanks were enthusiastically given to Mrs Russell for her kindness in attending to present the badges, on the motion of Mr D. Macbean, and to the subscribers, on the motion of Mr R. Lawson; while amidst rounds of applause, Mr G. Brown, Midcoul, complimented Major Russell on the splendid success of the meeting, and on the energy and zeal he had displayed in all matters for the good of his Company. After singing “Auld Lang Syne” the hall was cleared for a dance, which was kept up till an early hour on Thursday morning. Altogether the meeting was a most enjoyable one, most unanimous, every item on the programme reflecting the greatest credit on the various gentlemen who lent their aid to greet and entertain their fellows from the front. About the middle of the evening, cigars were handed round. Mr Macrae, jeweller, Inverness, supplied and had the badges engraved.
Two men of the Ardersier contingent have remained in South Africa, having joined the Scottish Horse. A letter was read regarding the raising of two corps of fresh Lovat Scouts to relieve those presently serving, the Major adding that he had no doubt but that the Ardersier Company would again produce some applicants.
Inverness Courier, 20th March 1900
FROM ARDERSIER. - James CAMERON, William LOGAN, Roderick MACKENZIE, Alexander ROSS, William ROSS, Colin KINNAIRD.
