County: County Durham
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 00/01/1901
Number issued: 1
Watch chain & pendant, suitably inscribed, to:
Presentation made by Mr Rennoldson (of Ingleside, Westoe), fellow gardener, in the schoolroom, Cleadon.
"Mr Gilchrist has been invalided home, but returns to duty on the 19th inst."
A VOLUNTEERS’S WELCOME HOME AT CLEADON.
A public “Welcome Home”, tea, and concert, have just been given to Trooper George H. GILCHRIST by his many friends at Cleadon and the district around. The chair was occupied by Mr W. Dalrymple, and the schoolroom, which had been gaily decorated with flags, etc., was crowded by an enthusiastic company. After tea, which was admirably provided and served by a band of young ladies, a concert of patriotic and other songs was given by Mr and Mrs Ainslie, Misses Elliott and Doxford, and Mr J.G. Elliott, Mr Harper also giving voluntaries on the concertina. During the evening Mr Rennoldson, of Ingleside, Westoe, with whom Mr GILCHRIST had been a gardener for four years before going out as a volunteer, presented him in the name of his friends with a watch chain and pendant (to which has since been added a Bible). The pendant bears the inscription, “Presented to Trooper G.H. Gilchrist, N. and D. Imperial Yeomanry, on his return from the South African war, by his friends at Cleadon, 1901”. Mr Rennoldson gave Mr GILCHRIST an excellent character, and stated that his situation is still open to him. He said that he so appreciated his self-sacrifice in going to the help of his country, at what he felt was a time of danger to it, that he had insured his life during the term of his absence at the Cape. Mr T. Campbell supported the vote of congratulation to Mr GILCHRIST in an eloquent appreciation of the work done by our army in repelling an unjust invasion of its peaceful colonies. Mr GILCHRIST replied in suitable terms. On the following evening the children of the village were entertained to tea, after which Mr GILCHRIST gave a most interesting account of the voyage out, and of life in camp and hospital. Mr GILCHRIST has been invalided home, but returns to duty on the 19th inst.
