County: Lancashire
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 09/08/1902 (Coronation Day)
Number issued: 27 or 28
Silver medals, to:
7239 Private Thomas SMITH
7334 Private J. READ [T. Read]
7463 Private William ALSTON
6704 Private George HITCHEN
3414 Private [Lance-Corporal] Robert AINSWORTH
4839 Private J.T. WARREN
8886 Trooper Richard READ
Preston Herald (12/06/1901): "He [the Mayor] had to announce that the members of the Corporation had resolved to present to the five Volunteers, and to all Volunteers of the K Company, to Militia and Yeomanry who went from Clitheroe, and to the men of the Clitheroe Ambulance Corps, silver medals to commemorate their services in the South African War ...... The medals would have on one side the Corporation arms, and on the reverse an inscription to commemorate the event, together with the name of the recipient".
SEND-OFFS TO LOCAL RESERVISTS.
....... Following on this, there was a most enthusiastic display on Tuesday night, when, despite the atrocious weather, a huge crowd gathered in the streets to witness the departure of four more Militia men, whose names are: J. W. KAY, Whalley Road, J. MITCHELL, Brownlow St., J. GRUNDY, Waterloo, and George HITCHEN, of Whalley Road. The departing ones assembled at the Commercial Hotel, and from there, headed by the Borough Band, and an escort of civilians some hundreds strong, marched through the streets to a medley of patriotic airs. Torches were displayed, those taking their departure carrying small Union Jacks. A dense crowd was assembled at the Station, where, as the train steamed in, there were loud outbursts of cheering. They were quickly entrained and sent off with ringing cheers and good wishes. A collection was made en route, the total receipts allowing a substantial sum to be meted out for each. They were to assemble on Wednesday at Preston.
DEPARTURE OF THE VOLUNTEERS.
A HURRIED LEAVE-TAKING.
The volunteers who left Clitheroe a few weeks ago for active service, and who have been stationed at Fleetwood, are now under orders for the Front. A twelve-hours' furlough was granted by the War Office last night, and taking advantage of this our four local men returned from Fleetwood, arriving in Clitheroe late last night. They were met at the station by a number of Volunteers. The furlough being so short, they were compelled to take a hurried leave-taking, and they left Clitheroe this morning. The time allowed was so short that two of the men - Privates SMITH (Wiswell) and HAWORTH (Sabden) - were unable to get back into Clitheroe in time for the proper time.
Shortly before ten o'clock this morning, a large number of the volunteers, along with Privates LITTLE and METCALFE, assembled at the Drill Room, when a presentation was made. Sergt. Howarth, in the absence of Lieut. Robinson and Sergt.-Instr. Buckley, handed to Pte. METCALFE a sum of money to be distributed amongst the four men. He was extremely sorry that the leave-taking had been so short, for it had completely shattered the schemes which they had in view. They had intended to have a substantial dinner and a special procession, but all those ideas had been floored. Addressing the departing men, the Sergeant said: "Do your duty as men. Think of the Old Borough of Clitheroe, and the promises you have left behind, for we shall follow your careers with watchful eyes". (Cheers).
Mr. D. Wrigley, on behalf of the country people, and expressed regret that the time at the disposal of the departing men had been cut so short.
Some 40 Volunteers formed in procession, and headed by the Borough Band, escorted the men in kharki to the station. Numerous presents were showered on them. They left by the 10-7 train. They are to stay at Fleetwood until Sunday, when they leave for Southampton, to embark on the "Dhoon Castle".
CLITHEROE AMBULANCE MEN FOR THE FRONT.
CLITHEROE AMBULANCE MEN.
A further letter is to hand from Pte. T. E. DUGDALE, which runs as follows: -
Tin Camp,
Ladysmith,
May 10th, 1900.
To the Editor of the "Clitheroe Times".
Just a line to let you know where I am stationed. 50 of St. John's men (including Ben King and myself) have been sent on here to Ladysmith. We feel very proud to be the first of St. John's men to be sent to this famous place. We arrived yesterday very tired after 13¼ hours' ride from Durban. We were served out with a piece of bread and some butter and a gill of coffee at a place half-way between Durban and Pietermaritzburg. We are getting good food here, and they say we shall get no more biscuits. We are having splendid weather - very hot in the day time and cold at night. We were each given three blankets when we arrived and we slept on the floor, but to-day we have been supplied with a cot and a flock bed and two sheets, so we shall soon feel at home here. While I am writing I can hear the big guns booming about 15 miles from here where Buller is having a big battle. Buller is thought well of here. They all say he is a fine man, and could you only see the hills and the trenches you would wonder how on earth he got through at all. We got a fair view of the ruined Colenso Bridge as we passed over the Pontoon Bridge just besides it. I have been up to the top of Waggon Hill and saw scores of dead horses and skeletons of horses. I went into the trenches and the breastwork which were occupied by the Devons and Gordons, and got a few relics. I am going to a practice as I have to sing at a concert to-morrow night. I have never felt in better health in my life, and we are well looked after here. We commence hospital duty tomorrow. Excuse me for not writing more as the mail leaves here tonight.
Pte. T. E. DUGDALE,
942 S.J.A.B.
General Hospital,
Tin Camp,
NATAL.
South Africa.
FROM PRIVATE T. E. DUGDALE.
July 13th, 1900.
To the Editor of "The Clitheroe Times."
Dear sir, - You will no doubt be wondering where I am. Well, we have at last got away from Ladysmith. We left Tin Camp about 7.0 a.m. on Tuesday, and Ladysmith about 8.30 a.m. and arrived here at 5.0 p.m. On Saturday last about eight of the released prisoners who were captured by De Wet, about 30 miles outside Kroonstadt, landed into Tin Camp, and on Sunday night the remainder arrived, making a total of about 800. they consisted chiefly of Derbyshires, Militia, and a few Yeomanry and Railway Pioneers, and they had a weary tale to tell as they had marched nearly 400 miles in 30 days so you can think for yourselves how they would be. They had been fed very poorly. having had eleven biscuits only since they were captured. They had had plenty of mutton and beef, however. One man said that the Boers were awfully short of food and that their men had cost them about 500 sheep and 60 bullocks. But I shall be able to give you a full account when I get home. Myself and Ben KING were very sorry to hear of the death of one of our comrades, and we hope and trust that he may be the only one who cannot return home to Clitheroe. I cannot say much about this place as we have not been out of the camp yet. The country all round is very hilly and there are plenty of trees. We are only about one and a half miles away from Howick, but we are not allowed to go out of camp. The same night as we landed here we had just got in bed when we were called out to put out a grass fire which was raging near the hospital. We have to go almost half as mile to the river to wash as the wash-houses are not ready. I must now conclude, with best wishes to all.
RETURN OF AMBULANCE MEN.
CLITHEROE.
CORPORATION TO PRESENT COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS.
The scene at Clitheroe on the arrival home of the men belonging to K Company of the 1st V.B. East Lancashire Regiment, was one of wild enthusiasm. The company supplied five members of the Active Service Company, Private I. HAWORTH (Sabden), J. LITTLE (Sawley), J. GREEN (Wiswell), L.K. METCALFE (Chatburn), and R. CLARKE (Clitheroe). Of these four arrived at Clitheroe. Private GREEN detrained at Whalley. The men were met at the station, where they arrived about 9.30, by the Mayor and Corporation, Fire Brigade, and Boys’ Brigade, while the approaches to the station and the principal streets were thronged with thousands of people. A procession was formed, headed by the Borough Band playing martial airs, and proceeded to the Public Hall. Along the route coloured fires were burnt, and the huge crowd kept up deafening cheers as the procession, with great difficulty, moved along. The order of procession was: Borough Band, Town Sergeant with Mace and Halberdiers, Mayor in his robes of office, accompanied by the Town Clerk, Aldermen, Councillors, Corporation officials, Volunteers, headed by the four returning members, Boys’ Brigade, and Firemen. On arrival at the Public Hall the procession had great difficulty in gaining admittance owing to the dense crowd assembled in York Street. The proceedings were opened by the band playing “Auld Lang Syne”.
The Mayor, Alderman Tillotson, said that on behalf of the inhabitants of the ancient borough of Clitheroe, he was deputed to give their best thanks and their most hearty welcome to the five Volunteers of the K Company of the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the East Lancashire Regiment. All were pleased to see them safely back again, and highly appreciated their services to their country. He had to announce that the members of the Corporation had resolved to present to the five Volunteers, and to all Volunteers of the K Company, to Militia and Yeomanry who went from Clitheroe, and to the men of the Clitheroe Ambulance Corps, silver medals to commemorate their services in the South African War. (Loud cheering). The members of the Corporation had not been able to get the medals ready, but they were ordered, and would be presented at the earliest opportunity. The medals would have on one side the Corporation Arms, and on the reverse an inscription to commemorate the event, together with the name of the recipient. (Cheers). He wished the Volunteers long life and prosperity, and hoped they would be able to wear the medals till they were 80 years of age. (Cheers).
CLITHEROE.
THE LOCAL CELEBRATIONS.
CLITHEROE.
The Coronation festivities commenced in Clitheroe on Friday night with a draw for the head of an ox that was publicly roasted. After being preserved this will be presented to the winner. As a result of this lottery the Roasting Committee have in hand considerably over £100, which, after the expenses have been defrayed, will probably be added to the subscriptions for the proposed Technical School. The ox was spitted and the roasting commenced on Friday evening, the operation being witnessed by crowds of people. There was a display of fireworks and coloured fire from the Castle Keep, and a lantern exhibition of local celebrities also took place in the Market Place, where the Borough Band rendered selections.
Though rain fell during the night the weather on Saturday morning was fine, and people were early astir. In the absence of the Mayor, who was present at the Coronation service in London, the Deputy-Mayor, Alderman Tillotson received the members of the Council, Magistrates, and other gentlemen in the Town Hall. At ten o’clock the Mayoress, Mrs Aspinall, distributed medals, provided by the Corporation, to local Active Service Volunteers. Mrs Aspinall performed the ceremony in a graceful manner, and the recipients were loudly cheered as they appeared, the ceremony being witnessed by a large concourse of people.
