Issued on: Return
Dates of presentations: 24/05/1901, 18/06/1901
Number issued: 5
24/05/1901 presentation
8137 Private [Lance-Corporal] John McCAIG [McCoag]
18/06/1901 presentation
8109 Private Edward ELLIOT
Reverse: "Presented to [Private Mair], 8th V.B.R.S., by Bo'ness Town Council".
"It has floral wreaths up both sides of it and the burgh coat of arms in the centre, surmounted by the name of the war, 'South Africa'. On the reverse side appears in inscription, for instance, 'Presented to Private Mair, 8th V.B.R.S., by Bo'ness Town Council'".
The medals cost £2 5s each.
Each man also received a cheque for £10 and a life insurance policy for £150 (1 year's premium).
£10 cheques in seal skin wallets, with card inscribed: "Presented with a deposit receipt for £10 and a life insurance policy for £150 to ________ 8th V.B.R.S., by his grateful fellow townsmen on his safe return from the South African War. Bo'ness, Victoria Day 1901".
Note: there were those on the Council who were very much opposed to this presentation: "it was outwith all their powers to vote money for the benefit of private individuals, no matter under what circumstances. He could mention the names of those far more deserving recognition than these men – men who had saved lives".
HOMECOMING OF THE BO’NESS VOLUNTEERS.
THE TOWN COUNCIL’S GIFT.
BAILIE GRANT AND PUBLIC RECOGNITION.
At the ordinary monthly meeting of the Bo’ness Town Council on Tuesday night, Provost Stewart said he was deputed to see what a medal for presentation to the five Bo’ness Volunteers, who returned from the war today, would cost. He made it his business on Saturday to go to a goldsmith, and the price of a medal somewhat similar to the one presented to a Dumfries Volunteer, which was shown him by Bailie Baxter, would be £2 5s.
Bailie Baxter said he thought almost all the Councils who had had a hand in sending away Volunteers were giving some mark of recognition. It was mentioned here last week that subscriptions were being taken in the town, and what those in charge of that subscription intended doing, he was not aware. However, it would not be a universal subscription, and if the Council were to give some tangible token of esteem and respect for the Volunteers who went to the war, he thought a badge of this kind would be most appropriate, because it could be handed down to their families to show the respect in which the community held them for their act of devotion to their country. If they provided it he was sure the public would be very pleased. He moved accordingly.
Dean of Guild Marshall seconded. He thought the motion very reasonable, and a medal from the burgh a suitable memento to these Volunteers of the war.
Councillor Calder – Are we legally entitled to do so?
The Provost – Quite entitled. It is not coming out of the rates. It is taken from the Promenade Fund.
Judge Ballantine – Let it be 18 carat, and as big as possible for the money. (A laugh).
Bailie Grant moved the previous question. He thought it was a matter for the Volunteers, and that it was outwith all their powers to vote money for the benefit of private individuals, no matter under what circumstances. He could mention the names of those far more deserving recognition than these men – men who had saved lives.
BO’NESS VOLUNTEER HEROES.
THE WELCOME HOME.
GREAT DEMONSTRATION IN THE GLEBE PARK.
DISTRIBUTION OF GIFTS.
A large and enthusiastic open air demonstration was held in the Glebe Public Park on Friday night to welcome home the four volunteers back from the war – viz., Lance-Corporal McCOAG, Privates MAIR, BATES, and BAILLIE. Sometime before seven o’clock the people were migrating to the centre of interest, and when the crowd had gathered, the attendance would not be far short of 8,000 – all classes of the community being represented. The volunteers turned out almost to a man. They met at the Drill Hall at seven o’clock, formed fours, and, headed by the Burgh Pipe Band, marched to the park, and encircled the bandstand. The officers in command were Captain Allan, Lieutenants Thomson and Denhom. …….
……. Provost Stewart presided over the great demonstration, the bandstand being utilised as a platform. In front of the stand there fluttered in the strong, cold south-easterly breeze the Royal and National Standards. …….
……. Provost Stewart, addressing the men as soldiers of the King, said – At the beginning of last year, in a time of national stress and anxiety, a request was made for volunteers to go out and help the regular army in South Africa. Among many thousands more you nobly came forward and offered yourselves on our behalf to fight for Queen and country, and to repel the invader. You were chosen for service, and we all remember well the magnificent meeting in the Drill Hall, and the enthusiastic send-off you there got. You were sent on your way laden with gifts and good wishes, and your course since then has been eagerly followed by us at home. Daily have we scanned these terrible casualty lists, and profoundly thankful have we been to find no name known to us there. Now you have come home without scratch or scar, looking fit and well, and your welcome home is as enthusiastic as your send-off. (Cheers). Mr Hunter, who so eloquently bade you God-speed away, has again as eloquently bade you welcome home. Officially and on behalf of the Town Council, I have to add my word of welcome, and to say how thankful we are to see you home again, and to award you our “Well done!” for your hard and very dangerous services well performed, and for conduct which has been entirely satisfactory. (Cheers). We regret very much that one of your comrades who went out with you has had to be left behind for a short time, and that his is not with you now to share in this welcome, but we hope to welcome him also before the days grow shorter. …….
……. The Provost (continuing) said – Now I have a very pleasant part to perform as the medium through which further gifts are to be handed you by a grateful community. It is s surprising fact, but a fact, nevertheless, that the public have subscribed a larger sum for the gifts on your return than they did when you went away, and this notwithstanding the many calls which have been made on them in connection with the war. (Cheers). ……. The first gift I have to make is assurance policies for £150. When the Volunteers went away a large sum of money was collected, and it was thought that their lives should be insured. Their lives were insured for £150, and the premiums were paid out of the money collected. These premiums ran till the end of February last year, and the Town Council thought they should not allow these policies to lapse, so they agreed to renew them till 28th February next year, the money being taken from the Promenade Fund. …….
……. The Provost then handed an insurance policy to each of the men. The Provost, addressing the four men, said – Bailie Baxter brought the matter up, and the Town Council thought they would like to give you a memento of this great incident in your lives, and out of the same Promenade Fund they voted you should each have a medal. It is a gold and very beautiful medal indeed. It has floral wreaths up both sides of it and the burgh coat of arms in the centre, surmounted by the name of the war, “South Africa”. On the reverse side appears the inscription, for instance, “Presented to Private Mair, 8th V.B.R.S., by Bo’ness Town Council”.
The Provost then handed the medals to Miss Law, who very gracefully decorated the men.
The Provost intimated that he would retain Private ELLIOTT’s medal till he turned.
The Provost further said that the ladies and their assistants collected £55 11s 3d. After considering it carefully we thought, seeing the volunteers would not have made their fortune in South Africa, that the best thing to give them was a little hard cash. Each man, therefore, receives a deposit receipt for £10 in a handsome seal hide pocket-book or wallet, and a card with the following inscription – “Presented with a deposit receipt for £10 and a life assurance policy for £150 to _________ 8th V.B.R.S., by his grateful fellow townsmen on his safe return from the South African War. Bo’ness, Victoria Day, 1901”.
The name of the Volunteer Company is inscribed in beautiful gold lettering on the wallet itself.
RECEPTION TO BO’NESS VOLUNTEERS.
On Friday evening last a public reception was given to the four Bo’ness Volunteers lately returned from South Africa, when they were made the recipients of handsome presents as a mark of appreciation for their services on behalf of their country. The ceremony was performed on the new Bandstand at Glebe Public Park, and was presided over by Provost Stewart, who was accompanied on the stand by Revs. Messrs Gardner, Hunter, Sleath and Dundas, also Misses Law and Denholm, together with the Town Councillors. The local Battalion of the Volunteers was out in full force, as were also the Bo’ness and Carriden Bnad, Kinneil Reed Band and the Burgh Pipe Band. There was a good turnout of the townspeople. The proceedings were opened with prayer by Rev. Mr Sleath, after which the 2nd Paraphrase was sung.
In an address of welcome to the four volunteers, who were seated on the stand, the Rev. Mr Hunter said it was s pleasure to him to extend a hearty welcome to their four friends who had just returned from the war. It was only fifteen months since they had met before to give those same men a hearty send-off, when they had responded so heartily to their country’s call. During that time, which had been a period of anxious waiting, their career had been closely watched, so far as they had been able to do so, and now on their return he welcomed them heartily and would say to them “well done”. It was his desire, as well as the desire of all those present, to acknowledge the great goodness of Almighty God in sparing them to return, after enduring all sorts of dangers, hardships and privations. There was only one cause for regret in that evening’s rejoicing, and that was that Private ELLIOT, who went out along with the rest, had been left behind through illness. It was to be hoped he would soon be well and back again. But although Private ELLIOT was in the hospital at Springfontein, he was included in any words of praise or appreciation that would be spoken that night. He wanted now, in the name of those assembled, and as emphatically as he could, to say to each of the four Volunteers that they rejoiced in their safe return, and that they had behaved themselves well throughout the whole of the war. Mr Hunter referred to some of the trials and hardships of the men, and made special reference to the famous march to Komati Poort. He hoped that now on their return home they would maintain the good name they had earned. Although they had come back well and scatheless, and for which all were thankful, there were many nameless graves on the South African veldt, and on that account many sorrowful homes. Any of the four men now before them might have been among the number of the fallen. When they went off they made no bargain, they took their lives in their hands. Their task was no easy one, and all were thankful for their safe return. They must keep the honourable distinction they had won, and for which they had paid such a price. In concluding, the rev. gentleman hoped the four men would, now that they were home again, conduct themselves in as soldierly a manner as they had done throughout the whole of the campaign.
A short address of welcome was also given by Provost Stewart, after which he presented the volunteers with a life insurance policy each for £150.
Afterwards, Miss Law pinned to the breasts of the four men handsome gold medals, the gift of the Town Council. The medals bore the burgh coat of arms, and were suitably inscribed. A sum of money amounting to £55 11s 3d had been raised by public subscription, and the men were each presented with a cheque for £10 by Miss Denholm. The balance of the money was sent to the “Scotsman” Shilling Fund.
On behalf of his comrades, Private MAIR replied and returned thanks. Lieutenant Allan also made a few remarks.
After the usual votes of thanks the proceedings terminated with the singing of the National Anthem. The proceedings, although interesting, lacked somewhat the enthusiasm that characterised the send-off in January of last year.
Presentation to Private ELLIOT.
