Medals and awards

Private Brocklebank and his wife also received an eight-day striking clock, a silver-plated tea & coffee service, and a purse of money. All the items were inscribed as above.

 

7513 Private Henry HODGSON

 

Note: Private John ROUTLEDGE (of Winder) was presented with a silver watch & chain at the same ceremony. 3413 Sergeant PEARSON (of Lamplugh), 1st Bn. Border Regt., had received a marble clock and "gentleman's easy chair" at a similar ceremony held at Lamplugh on 31/10/1902.

 

 

 

 

 

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West Cumberland Times, 24th September 1902

 

Honouring a Returned Soldier at Rowrah.

On Saturday evening a most interesting event took place at Rowrah when Mr George BROCKLEBANK, Rowrah (a native of Cockermouth), and a private in the Border Regiment, was the recipient – along with his wife – of a handsome testimonial for his services in the South African campaign for a period of two years and a half. …….

……. The Chairman gave Pvt. BROCKLEBANK a hearty welcome among them. He was delighted to hear that one of the gallant soldiers who fought in South Africa belonged to Rowrah, and Pvt. BROCKLEBANK’s services to his country were well worth rewarding. (Applause). That they thought it their duty to do so was testified by the valuable articles before them. On behalf of the subscribers he handed to Private BROCKLEBANK and Mrs Brocklebank the beautiful presents and a purse of gold, and said he had the greatest pleasure in doing so knowing it was well earned. (Loud cheers). …….

 

West Cumberland Times, 12th November 1902

 

HONOURING ARLECDON SOLDIERS.

On Friday evening Privates John ROUTLEDGE, of Winder, and Henry HODGSON, of Arlecdon, were the recipients of handsome presents in recognition of their South African services as volunteers from the G Company, Frizington. The proceedings commenced with a substantial knife and fork supper, which was provided by Mrs Wm. Parsley in the Arlecdon Board School, at which over 100 were present. The waiters were Mrs James E. Logan, Mrs Pascoe, Mrs Wilson, Mrs David Hodgson, Mrs J. Mossop, jun., Miss L. Scott, and Miss J. Pascoe.

The supper over, Mr Wm. Key, D.C., took the chair. He said he had much pleasure in calling upon Mr John Ray, D.C., to make the presentations.

Mr Ray said they were here to pay a little back of what they owed to these two young men who, when their country asked for help, gallantly volunteered to risk life and health, home, and happiness, to try and save their flag from disgrace. Arlecdon, Frizington, and district answered to the call with many of the best type of the British Volunteer, including Pvts. ROUTLEDGE and HODGSON, and two others who had had presentations made to them, viz., Sergt. PEARSON, of Lamplugh, and Private BROCKLEBANK, of Rowrah. He asked Private John ROUTLEDGE to accept a beautiful silver watch and chain, which he hoped he would long be spared to wear, and trusted that it would prove as loyal to him as he had proved to his country. (Loud applause). Private HODGSON did not see so much active service, but it was not his fault, as he was stricken down with enteric fever. He was pleased, as undoubtedly many more were, to see Mr HODGSON and his colleague safe back home again. He asked him, on behalf of the subscribers, to accept a gold chain and seal, which would show his loyalty to his country had been approved. (Applause).

 

Maryport Advertiser, 15th November 1902

 

ARLECDON ACTIVE SERVICE MEN.

SUPPER AND PRESENTATION.

On Friday evening, the inhabitants of Arlecdon, Rowrah, and Winder districts gathered in strong numbers in the Arlecdon Board School, to do honour to those who have returned from South Africa, where they had spent the last two years in engagements against the Boers. Those in the above district who had taken part in the engagements included Messrs. John ROUTLEDGE (Winder Farm), Henry HODGSON (Arlecdon), and Peter THOMPSON (Rowrah).

Some few weeks ago, a committee consisting of Messrs. J. Ray, Wm. Key, James Wilson, John Merritt, Stephen Scott, Joseph Turner, and others, was formed and donations solicited. It is almost needless to say that their efforts met with a most hearty and ready response. Several pounds were received, and with this sum the committee purchased a gold watch and [sic] chain and medal for one and a silver watch and chain for the other, Mr. P. Thompson not wishing to participate in presentation or gathering. The articles were on view in Mr. J. Ray’s window, and were greatly admired by all. The proceedings opened with a capital knife and fork supper, provided by Mrs. Wm. Parsley, who had the following ladies to assist her: - Mrs. D. Hodgson, Mrs. I. Wilson, Mrs. J. Logan, Mrs. Pascoe, Mrs. J. Mossop, Miss Scott, Miss F. Routledge, and others; with Mr. W. Parsley as carver.

Mr. Wm. Key presided over the subsequent proceedings, and briefly explained that they had met to honour their local volunteers who had been in active service in South Africa. He had no doubt but that they had done their duty, and they deserved some recognition at their hands. He was pleased to see that in order to raise the nice presents they had before them the inhabitants of Arlecdon and Rowrah districts had responded right liberally. He afterwards called upon Mr. J. Ray to make the presentations.

Mr. Ray expressed the pleasure it gave him to attend and make the presentations of a gold chain and medal to Mr. Harry HODGSON and a silver watch and chain to Mr. John ROUTLEDGE. He did not see why Arlecdon should be behind other places in showing their appreciation of the noble work done by Messrs. ROUTLEDGE and HODGSON for their King and country in the recent war, and he was pleased, indeed, that they had been able to procure for each such articles as would be found useful to them for the remainder of their lives. The war had been a long and tedious one, but they were all very glad it had been settled, and that their soldiers and volunteers – most of whom he had no doubt had had a fair share of the struggles and trials of the battlefield – were able to return home. He had much pleasure in asking them to accept the articles mentioned, with their best wishes.

Messrs. HODGSON and ROUTLEDGE briefly thanked them for their kind presents.