County: Inverness-shire
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 23/11/1901
Number issued: 21
Gold medals, to:
Presentation made by Lady Lovat, in the Drill Hall, Beauly.
Subscribed for by inhabitants of the Beauly, Muir of Ord, and Aird districts.
"Medals of the value of £2 each, beautifully designed, were specially struck for the occasion, having on one side the raised figure of a mounted scout with full military equipment" (Aberdeen Press & Journal, 26/11/1901).
Designed and supplied by Mr Chalmers, jeweller, Beauly.
Note: The Scotsman states that only fourteen members of Lovat's Scouts received gold medals on this occasion, suggesting that seven men were absent.
BEAULY.
THE RETURNED BEAULY LOVAT SCOUTS.
THE RETURNED SCOUTS.
THE PRESENTATION TO LOVAT SCOUTS.
THE LOVAT SCOUTS.
Fourteen of the original company of Lord Lovat’s Scouts returned from South Africa, belonging to Beauly, Muir of Ord, and Aird districts, were entertained in the Drill Hall, Beauly, on Saturday, and presented with gold medals, subscribed for by the inhabitants of the district. Lady Lovat, Beaufort Castle, made the presentation. The public were permitted to witness the ceremony, and the building was filled to overflowing. Her ladyship was supported on the platform by her daughter, the Hon. Muriel Fraser; Hon. Mrs B. Maxwell, Phoineas House; Colonel the Hon. Henry Fraser, North Lodge, Beaufort; and Sir Kenneth Mackenzie of Gairloch, Conan House, who presided. Sir Kenneth Mackenzie, in addressing the Scouts, who were formed up in front of the platform, said that the presents were subscribed for by the inhabitants of the district as a token of their appreciation of the bravery of these men in coming forward to serve their country. At the commencement of hostilities it was thought the war would soon be finished. He was sorry they had been very grievously mistaken. The country had suffered heavy losses in men, and the Lovats Scouts had not enjoyed immunity more than other branches of the service. But the war must be prosecuted to its termination, and it was their duty to assist the Government to bring it to as speedy a termination as possible. Great credit is due to Lord Lovat for having raised the corps bearing his name, to make the work of scouting a special business, and to get men specially trained for that work. He was sure they were all proud of Lord Lovat’s Scouts, and the good work they had done. Lady Lovat then handed the medals to the Scouts as each of them came forward to the platform at the call of Sergeant-Major McNeil, Inverness. Captain Charles STIRLING briefly replied on behalf of the recipients, and expressed the thanks of the Scouts for the very kind and hearty way they had been received, and for the handsome presents given them.
Ross-shire Journal, 25th October 1901
PRESENTATIONS TO LOVAT SCOUTS
The twenty members of the returned corps of Lovat Scouts hailing from Beauly and district were entertained in the Drill Hall, Beauly, on Saturday, and made the recipients of magnificent gold medals. Some time ago a public meeting was held in the Drill Hall, Beauly, and as the outcome of this, medals of the value of £2 each, beautifully designed, were specially struck for the occasion, having on one side the raised figure of a mounted scout in full military equipment, while the surplus was devoted towards purchasing a beautiful massive silver cup for Lieut. Chas. STIRLING, one of their officers, who has gallantly volunteered for active service with the fresh contingent now in course of training at Inverness. The cup is supported by three silver telescopes – articles that proved of so much use in the South African campaign – and is mounted on a large black ebony stand, bearing an appropriate inscription.
The names and rank of the scouts honoured on Saturday are – Lieutenant STIRLING, Sergeant J. DEWAR (mentioned in despatches and D.S.O.), Corporal J. FRASER, Corporal J. McDONALD, Corporal J. RITCHIE, Corporal John PATERSON, and Privates J. McDONALD, D. MATHESON, A. McKILLOP, Frank GOLD, D. McIVER, B. McDONALD, J. McKENZIE, J. MORRISON, D. McLEAN, A. McLEAN, H. McLENNAN, F. McKENZIE, Simon FRASER, and A. HENDERSON.
Punctually at 3.30 Lady Lovat and party from Beaufort Castle entered the hall, and were received with a great outburst of cheering. Sir Kenneth Mackenzie read apologies for absence from, among others, Colonel Grant, Inverness; Major and Mrs Stirling, Kinellar Lodge, Strathpeffer; Lady Eleanor Brodie of Brodie, Mr and Mrs Fraser Tytler of Aldourie, Captain McDonald, Fort William; Mr Cameron, Moniack Castle; Mr Gunn, Nutwood, Strathpeffer, and Dr Leach, Beauly.
Sir Kenneth Mackenzie then briefly reviewed the course of the war, paying a high tribute to Lord Lovat’s foresight in proposing to raise a corps of scouts, who afterwards did such valuable and serviceable work.
The scouts then, on the call of Sergeant-Major McNeill, Inverness, beginning with Lieutenant STIRLING, stepped smartly up to the platform where they received their decoration at the hands of Lady Lovat, who addressed a few words of kindly welcome to each recipient.
Lieutenant STIRLING received a great ovation on coming forward to thank Lady Lovat and the inhabitants of the district for their handsome presents. He frankly admitted it was more than they deserved, for he felt that if some of them had had their deserts they would not be there that day, while so many splendid fellows lay stark and stiff in South Africa. They had received nothing but kindness since they came home, first at Inverness, then at Beaufort from Lady Lovat, and now there for the third time.
HONOUR TO LOVAT SCOUTS AT BEAULY.
PRESENTATION OF GOLD MEDALS.
On Saturday afternoon, in the Volunteer Drill Hall, Beauly, Lady Lovat presented handsome gold medallions to the members of the original Lovat Scouts belonging to Beauly and the surrounding districts, and at the same time Lieutenant Charles STIRLING of Fairburn, who has again patriotically volunteered for active service with the new draft of Lovat Scouts for the front, was the recipient of a massive and elaborately chased silver cup, which has been subscribed for by residents in the Fairburn, Muir of Ord, and Beauly districts.
The gold medallions, which had been subscribed by the inhabitants in the district, are of artistic and effective design. On the one side of the medallion there is a true representation of a mounted Lovat Scout, the die being taken from a photograph of Sergeant D. MACDONALD, the Ferry, Beauly, who is now gallantly serving with the second contingent of Lovat’s Scouts in South Africa. On the other side is inscribed the name of each scout, and there is also stated the object of the presentation. The medallions are of 15 carat gold, and cost £2 each.
The silver cup presented to Lieutenant Stirling was much admired. It is a rich and beautiful object of the silversmith’s art. Prettily designed, it is supported by three silver telescopes, which will be reminiscent of an article with which the Scouts rendered invaluable service in early and successfully ascertaining the whereabouts of the enemy. The cup rests upon a large stand of black ebony. The inscription upon the cup is as follows: – “Presented to Lieutenant Charles Stirling, in appreciation of his patriotism, on his return from the South African campaign, 1900-1, by residenters in the Fairburn, Muir of Ord, and Beauly districts. August, 1901”.
The gold medallions and silver cup were supplied by Mr Chalmers, jeweller, Beauly.
The presentation proceedings excited much interest throughout the district, which is so closely associated with the inception of the distinguished corps. There was a crowded attendance. A detachment of the Beauly Company of the 1st Volunteer Battalion Cameron Highlanders, under the command of Captain Mackenzie, was present in review order, and took up a position in the hall opposite to the assembled Scouts. The Scouts, who wore their khaki uniform and slouch hats, were lined up in front of the platform. They were a particularly fine body of men, both as regards physique and soldierly alertness, and as each of them received his gift from Lady Lovat, hearty cheers were raised by the audience.
Recipients of the Medals.
Lady Lovat then gracefully presented the silver cup to Lieutenant Charles Stirling and the gold medallions to the men.
The following are the names: – Lieutenant Charles STIRLING, Sergeant J. DEWAR, Teaneoil; Corporal J. PATERSON, Balblair; Corporal J. RITCHIE, Teawig; Corporal J. FRASER, Bogroy; Private Alex. HENDERSON, Beauly; Private Simon FRASER, Beauly; Private J. MACKENZIE, Muir of Ord; Private D. MACLEAN, Teafrish; Private A. McKILLOP, Beauly; Private A. MACLEAN, Oldtown; Private J. MORRISON, Beaufort; Private Brodie MACDONALD, Beauly; Private John MACDONALD, Dalbreack, Stratheonon; Private Donald MACIVER, do.; Private Frank GOLD, Erchless; Private Donald MATHESON, Tore; Private Hugh MACLENNAN, Tore; and Private Finlay MACKENZIE, Milton, who died at the front.
A few of the scouts were unable to be present at the ceremony, and their medallions will be sent to them. The father of the late Private Finlay Mackenzie will receive the medallion awarded to his son, whose death was sadly regretted by his fellow scouts.
The names of the scouts were read out by Sergeant-Major Macneill, Inverness, whose connection with the corps, both in South Africa and in this country, has earned him the highest encomiums of those who know his whole-hearted devotion to the interests of the scouts.
Words of Thanks.
Lieutenant Charles Stirling, who was very cordially received, said on behalf of the men and himself he desired to express his hearty thanks for the extremely kind way they had been received that day, and he also returned their warm thanks for the handsome presents which had just been handed over to them by Lady Lovat – (applause). He could assure them those beautiful gifts were more than they deserved. When they first left for South Africa they all obtained presents far more than they really merited, and when they returned from the front they not only obtained an enthusiastic reception at Inverness, but they were also entertained at Beaufort by Lady Lovat is a way that none of them would forget – (loud applause). After the news reached this country of the sad disaster to Lovat’s Scouts, in which Colonel Andrew Murray and other brave men lost their lives, Lord Lovat wired home for more men. He was talking to the adjutant the other day, and he informed him that between 500 and 600 applications had been sent in to join the new draft for service at the front – (applause). Only 130 were chosen.
He was certain there was not another man in the whole of Scotland who could have done the noble work which Lord Lovat had so patriotically carried out – (loud applause). He (Lieutenant Stirling) could say that when he received a telegram from Lord Lovat asking him if he would again go out to the front, he looked upon it as the greatest honour he had ever received in his life – (applause). There was no man he had greater pleasure in serving under than under Lord Lovat – (renewed applause). Lieutenant Stirling, in conclusion, mentioned that thirty of the old Scouts were again going to South Africa with the new draft; and in order to avoid any mischance, he would recommend those of the Scouts from that district who were again going out, and who had been the recipients of such handsome gifts that day, that they should give them to their people to keep until their return – (applause). He desired to record his warmest thanks, on behalf of the men, to Lady Lovat for so graciously presenting the gifts that day – (applause).
On the call of Sir Kenneth Mackenzie, three enthusiastic cheers were given for His Majesty the King.
Sergeant-Major Macneill called for three hearty cheers for Lady Lovat, which were warmly accorded. The Sergeant-Major also called for three cheers for Lord Lovat, which were given with true-hearted Highland enthusiasm, which strikingly testified to the esteem and regard entertained for his lordship.
PRESENTATION AT BEAULY.
Last Saturday afternoon the presentation of a silver cup to Lieutenant STIRLING of Fairburn and medallions to the non-commissioned officers and men of the Lovat Scouts (first contingent) belonging to the Beauly district took place in the Drill Hall, Beauly. Sir Kenneth Mackenzie, Bart. of Gairloch, occupied the chair, and the medals were gracefully presented by Lady Lovat.
