County: Lancashire
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: bef. 29/12/1900
Number issued: 1
Gold medal, to:
Subscribed for by the inhabitants of Aspull.
Private Higham also received an illuminated address, presented on 06/02/1901, at the Running Horses Inn.
BACK FROM THE WAR.
To commemorate the home-coming of Mr J.T. HIGHAM, who has been on active service as a volunteer with the 2nd Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, in South Africa, a torchlight procession was recently held, headed voluntarily by the Aspull Temperance Brass Band. The procession left the Finger Post about 6 p.m., the band playing patriotic airs en route, following which was a landau in which was Private Higham with a few friends. A good representation of the forces was made by young Master Pickett on horse-back fully dressed in khaki.
The procession went by the way of Lower Gullet back to Finger Post, on to Lane Ends, Haigh, back again round Ratcliffe Road, Stanley Road, Scot Lane, on to the Moorland near the Finger Post, where a large fire was burning, composed of timber and coals, after which a public presentation was made on a platform suitably erected.
Mr H.L. Trotman, as chairman, introduced the Honourable Robert Lindsay, of Haigh Hall, who has been on active service in South Africa with the Scots Greys, and who met Private Higham in Pretoria, to make a presentation in the shape of a very handsome gold medal to Private Higham, as a slight recognition of his services to his country, also a handsome gold brooch to Mrs Higham, his wife. He made the presentation is a most appropriate speech.
Private HIGHAM afterwards suitably responding, and after hearty cheers had been given to Private Higham, also to the Hon. Robert Lindsay, the band played “Soldiers of the Queen”.
Afterwards the band played for dancing whilst there was a large display of fireworks. Two large balloons were sent up in the meantime, superintended by Mr W, Broadhurst, in a successful manner. Mr L. Vincent, of Bolton, occupied the platform as a ventriloquist at intervals, whilst other enjoyments were indulged in, in the way of swing boats and aunt sallies, the proceedings being brought to a close shortly before 11 o’clock, when all dispersed to their homes very quietly, and many, no doubt, will have a vivid remembrance of the night’s proceedings for a great many years.
ASPULL.
THE RETURN OF A VOLUNTEER.
