County: Northumberland
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 20/09/1902
Number issued: 2
Gold watch chains & appendages, suitably inscribed, and gold rings, to:
2nd Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers (Reserve) –
3436 Private John Robert COULSON
739 Lance-Corporal [Private] Archibald DAVISON
Presentations made by Dr Fairlie, at the Foresters' Arms, Kitty Brewster.
BEBSIDE SOLDIERS HONOURED.
SPEECH BY DR. FAIRLIE.
On Saturday evening, an interesting meeting took place at the house of Mr Thomas Agan, the Foresters’ Arms, Kitty Brewster, when two local private soldiers – Messrs J. COULSON and A. DAVISON – were each made the recipients of a fine gold watch chain and gold appendage, suitably inscribed, and also a gold ring.
The ceremony was preceded by an excellent cold collation, which was served with the taste characteristic of Mrs Agan, after which, Mr Matthew Fenwick took the chair, and expressed pleasure at the excellent and praiseworthy action of the committee, in organising that presentation. The soldiers who had fought so well in South Africa were being welcomed home all over Great Britain, and he was glad that Bebside was not behind its neighbours in welcoming those from that locality. Messrs COULSON and DAVISON had gone through the hardships of a severe campaign, and doubtless were as glad to get home again, as they were to welcome them. (Applause).
After a solo on the violin by Mr J. Nicholson, and a song by Mr John Rutherford, Dr Fairlie rose to make the presentations, and said he was pleased to be present at that formal welcome home to their guests, Privates COULSON and DAVISON, who had returned recently from the front; and he congratulated them upon coming home safe and sound. (Applause). They had been, as Kipling had it: - “On active service, wiping something off a slate”. …….
……. He trusted that their friends would look upon those valuable gifts, not for their worth, but for the esteem of the subscribers.
Private COULSON, who was received with applause, said he was more than pleased at the warm welcome he had received on his coming home to Bebside. He thanked them for their valuable presents, which he would prize as the most valuable gifts he had ever received in his life. (Applause). His experience in South Africa enabled him to endorse what Dr Fairlie had said. He could only repeat his thanks to them for their generosity towards them.
Private DAVISON also responded in a brief manner.
