County: Lanarkshire
Issued on: Departure
Date of presentation: 14/02/1900
Number issued: 3
Gold medallions, suitably inscribed, to:
2915 Trooper [Sergeant] Alexander ADAM [Adams]
Presentation made by Mr Neilson, in the Lesser Hall, Chryston.
A CHRYSTON VOLUNTEER FOR THE FRONT.
PRESENTATION TO SERGEANT ADAMS.
The departure of Sergeant ADAMS, Chryston, for active service in South Africa was made the occasion of one of the most memorable nights that Chryston has witnessed for a very long time. As almost every district has been giving the Volunteers accepted for active service some tangible token of their appreciation and good will, it was resolved that Chryston district should not be behind in its demonstration of patriotism and loyalty, and so a meeting was called of all those favourable to the getting up of a testimonial to Sergeant ADAMS, the only local Volunteer accepted. The response to the appeal was not large to begin with, but those who attended formed themselves into a committee, of whom Mr John Neilson was convener, Mr Jas. McLenaghan secretary, and Mr Jas. Rennie treasurer. Subscriptions were solicited, and the response was most encouraging. A difficulty presented itself in the fact that the Sergeant could not fix a date when he could get leave, and repeated application had to be made to his commanding officer. On Monday night of last week a telegram was received that he had obtained leave for Wednesday night, and a smoking concert was hurriedly arranged for that evening. This took place in the Lesser Hall, which was crowded, and no doubt had longer notice been given the large hall could have been filled. Sergt. ADAMS was met at Mr Rennie’s house by the Garnkirk Brass Band (who gave their services free), and escorted to the hall, into which he was carried shoulder high. He was dressed in his khaki uniform, and looked every inch a soldier.
Mr Neilson presided, and when the enthusiasm had somewhat subsided, he said they had met that night to bid God-speed to Sergt. ADAMS, of the Lanarkshire Yeomanry, who had volunteered and been accepted for active service at the front. …….
……. The Chairman on rising to make the presentation to Sergt. ADAMS was received with loud applause. Turning to the Sergeant, he said – This is a memorable occasion, which neither you nor I, nor any other body present will ever forget although we live to be as old as Methuselah. …….
……. The fact that you have volunteered shows that you have valour and courage, in short, that you are a true man. (Applause). In going forth into the battle may we counsel you to do nothing that would bring discredit on your country’s fame, but above all strive to maintain the integrity of your own manhood, for if you do you cannot be false to your country’s cause. We trust you, we are proud of you, and in token thereof I have pleasure, on behalf of the subscribers who have honoured me by making me the medium by which these presents are to pass into your hands, in presenting you with this purse of golden sovereigns, which I trust you will accept and value, not alone for its tangible worth, but more for the sympathy which inspired it. I trust you may find it of some value to you, for after all money is one of the forces of civilization. I have also pleasure in presenting you with this gold medallion, which bears a suitable inscription, and which, after all the money is gone, you may keep as a memento of this memorable occasion and treasure among your valuable possessions. You go forward to a dangerous work, but we would have you go with our words of cheer ringing in your ears. Your courage and devotion, and self-sacrifice all appeal to our noblest instincts, and we pray and will continue to pray that God may lead you and guide you and bring you back again in safety to those you love, when we trust to grasp you again by the hand and congratulate you on noble deeds accomplished for Queen and country. (Loud applause).
Sergeant ADAMS, in reply, gave a few interesting facts regarding the time he had already spent in training, mentioning amongst other things that the Yeomanry were to be employed as mounted infantry, using the horse only as a means of greater mobility, so that we could meet the Boers in the only manner possible. He further gracefully thanked the people of Chryston for their more than kind token, which he would treasure as one of his most precious possessions, and also for the kindly feeling which seem to permeate the whole community, and which, if he was spared to come back again amongst them, he would in some small measure endeavour to repay.
His reply was received with rounds of applause, and the whole company rose and sang “For he’s a jolly good fellow”. …….
……. The committee have decided to present to Corporal DUFFIE and Trooper COULTER, reservists, who are presently at the front, similar medals to that presented to Sergt. ADAMS.
