County: Devon
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 11/06/1901
Number issued: 3
Gold watch chain pendants, suitably inscribed, to:
CHUDLEIGH.
CHUDLEIGH’S WELCOME.
The inhabitants of Chudleigh went wild with enthusiasm on Monday, when they welcomed back their three townsmen who volunteered for active service in South Africa. Their names are Sergt. E. SAUNDERS, Lce.-Corpl. George CANDISH, and Private C. BARRS, members of the 5th V.B.D.R. It was the general wish to greet them on coming back. At a meeting called to make arrangements, a Reception Committee was appointed consisting of Capt. Vicary, Col.-Sergt. Gill, Sergt. Widdicombe, Pte. Andrews, Mr Heyward, Mr William Ridler, Mr E. Tremeer, Mr G. Adams, Mr R. Carpenter (Hon. Sec.), and Mr H.A. Crook (Hon. Treas.)
The men arrived at Newton station from Exeter and were met by a four horse break accompanied by a postilion in which were seated some members of the committee. On leaving the station yard the returned volunteers were loudly cheered, and the conveyance was driven through East Street and down Courtenay Street into the Kingsteignton Road. Several hundreds of Newtonians who were wending their way to the station to meet their own townsmen accorded the Chudleigh men some lusty cheering as they passed through. A similar reception was given at Kingsteignton.
On reaching Rock House gate at the summit of the hill, the party was met by the Chudleigh Band with the D Co. (Chudleigh) Volunteers. Large crowds of persons had assembled in the principal thoroughfares of the town and vociferously cheered the procession as it passed on to Fore Street, Culver Street, Colway Lane and through Old Exeter Street to the Fountain. A halt was made there and Mr Carpenter, on behalf of the Committee, thanked the inhabitants for the hearty reception given to the returned Volunteers. As they were anxious to meet their relatives and friends the presentations would be made to them on the following evening at the Drill Hall, to which subscribers and others would be welcome.
The procession then proceeded through Fore Street to the Clifford Arms where cheers were given and the men dismissed by the playing of the National Anthem.
On Tuesday evening, through the kindness of Mr and Mrs Carpenter, the returned Volunteers and the Committee were entertained at dinner at the Globe Hotel. Several other interested persons were also present. Toasts of “The King” and “Our Volunteers” followed, the latter responded to by Sergt. SAUNDERS. “The health of Capt. Vicary”, proposed by Sergt. Gill, was acknowledged by Sergt. Major Clarke. “The healths of Mr and Mrs Carpenter” and “Ladies” was followed by cheers and “Auld Lang Syne” heartily sung.
A move was then made to the Drill Hall where the presentations were to be made, and large numbers witnessed the proceedings. Mrs Ellis, who had kindly consented to make the presentations, was accompanied by Mr Donald Ellis, Miss Ellis, Miss Wright, and the Misses Dawson.
Mr Carpenter introduced the object of the meeting – to welcome home their three volunteers and make them a present. Mrs Ellis would hand them the gifts and he was pleased to say that everyone agreed on the welcome to the volunteers – (cheers). Some thought, however, that others who had gone to the front should be similarly honoured. But that was a different matter as they went out under other conditions. The committee decided on presentations being made to the volunteers who had offered their services to the country and withstood the crisis that prevailed. The subscriptions amounted to £17 11s and the expenses 10s. He wished to express the thanks of the committee to the subscribers for their generosity – (applause).
Mrs Ellis then presented each of the returned volunteers with a gold watch, chain and inscribed pendant, a mounted briar pipe and tobacco pouch, the recipients being greeted with cheering.
Mr Carpenter moved a vote of thanks to Mrs Ellis for her kindness on that occasion as well as for the interest she took in the parish – (cheers).
Mrs Ellis, in acknowledging the compliment, remembered when the Volunteer movement commenced, about 40 years ago, and several gentlemen with the late Mr Wright, took part in the shooting.
Col. Sergt. Gill, on behalf of Capt. Vicary, unavoidably absent, also thanked Mrs Ellis for making the presentations.
Cheers were then given for the Volunteers.
Sergt. SAUNDERS returned thanks on behalf of himself and comrades for the handsome presents given them. They had been away about sixteen months, were not sorry to go away, but were nor sorry to come back again – (laughter and applause).
Mr Mabey proposed a vote of thanks to the Committee, the Secretary, and the Treasurer, for the interest they had taken in the matter and for the satisfactory manner in which the arrangements had been carried out. – The proposition was carried with cheers.
“God Save the King” was then sung and the proceedings terminated.
5th (HAYTOR) V.B.D.R. (NEWTON ABBOT).
Sailed to South Africa on active service 60 years ago.
On February 14 it is 60 years to the day since Mr George W. SAUNDERS, of “Glencoe”, 4 Old Exeter Street, Chudleigh, sailed from Southampton for active service in the South African War. Slightly built with grey hair, rosy cheeks, and an erect carriage, his twinkling eyes and ready humour belie his years.
He was born on October 2, 1876, and is a retired builder. In 1900, he was Sgt. G.W. SAUNDERS, of “D” Coy., 5th Volunteer Battn. The Devonshire Regiment. He joined when 18, was a lance-corporal at 20, and a sergeant when 23.
He wears a gold watch chain and pendant, subscribed for and presented to him by the inhabitants of Chudleigh commemorating his active service in South Africa from 1900-1901”.
Only survivor.
Two other Chudleigh men volunteered with him but he is the only survivor. He landed in Cape Town, went to Durban and went right up through Natal. They were within 10 miles of but never got to Johannesburg. He was mainly engaged on maintaining the long lines of communication.
Recalling those days, he does not believe the colour bar was anywhere near so pronounced although he recalls that discipline was tough and remembers a man being lashed to a gun and punished.
