County: Northumberland
Issued on: Return
Dates of presentations: 02/07/1901, 19/12/1901
Number issued: 12
02/07/1901 presentation
7616 Private Francis Henry SMITH
Captain Henry Edward HOLBROW (formerly 3178 Lance-Corporal Holbrow, 14th Co. I.Y.)
3235 Trooper James Mertoun [?] WOOD
3279 Trooper Thomas Carr FORSTER
10070 Trooper Arthur WATSON
???? Trooper E. WOOD
Captain Robert Cecil HEDLEY received an illuminated address.
19/12/1901 presentation
3341 Sergeant-Major Arthur E. WARD (formerly served with the 15th Co. I.Y.)
Ward’s medal described as "similar to the ones presented to the Corbridge volunteers and yeomanry earlier in the year".
The list of Corbridge Volunteers published in the Newcastle Daily Chronicle (24/01/1900) included two further names: those of Privates Dixon and O'Neil. However, there is no evidence that either of these two men sailed for the Cape.
BANQUET TO CORBRIDGE SERVICE MEN.
The Chairman gave the toast of the evening, “The Corbridge contingent of the Service Company”, remarking that they were proud of their Corbridge boys who had volunteered for the front, and they were glad to have them back safe and sound. Referring to the Reservist Fund, he said the county of Northumberland had done, he believed, what no other county in the kingdom had done. They had subscribed over £40,000 for the families of those who had gone to fight for their country, and he thought they had done nobly. He had pleasure in asking Mrs Straker to present Captain HEDLEY with an illuminated address, which bore the following inscription: – “To Capt. Robert Cecil Hedley, No. 1 Service Company of the 1st V.B.N.F. The inhabitants of Corbridge-on-Tyne and district desire to place on record their high appreciation of your patriotism in volunteering for active service in the Boer war in South Africa. They congratulate you upon your safe and victorious return. This address of welcome is presented to you as a slight token of the admiration and esteem in which you are held, and we hope that in the evening of your days you may look back upon a well-spent life, and regard the occasion as not the least pleasant of your reminiscences. For the Reception Committee, signed D. Stephens, chairman; F. Richardson, M.A., vicar; G. Renton, Wesleyan Mission; T. Burn, hon. sec.” The address was executed by Messrs Mawson and Swan, Newcastle.
VOLUNTEER REJOICINGS AT CORBRIDGE.
On Thursday night, a reception dance was held in the Town Hall, Corbridge, promoted by a few friends in honour of the home-coming of Sergeant-Major Arthur WARD, of the 100th squadron of the Northumberland Imperial Yeomanry. There were present about 35 couples, and the evening was a most enjoyable one, Sergt.-Major WARD being heartily congratulated on all hands at his safe return. The duties of M.C.’s were discharged by Messrs J. Chapman, W. Robson, and G.H. Foreman.
During an interval in the proceedings Mrs Stephens handed over to Sergt.-Major WARD a gold medal similar to the ones presented to the Corbridge volunteers and yeomanry earlier in the year. – Mr Daniel Stephens, introducing Mrs Stephens, said they were all pleased to see Sergt.-Major WARD back safe and sound and in such good health. He was a credit to his country. – Colonel Dodds also added a few words.
Sergeant-Major WARD thanked them all heartily for the welcome which he had received on his return home. He had no idea that his services had been so much appreciated. The medal he had received would be worn by him, and when he returned to South Africa, it would always remind him of his many friends at Corbridge.
THE LOCAL VOLUNTEERS.
1ST V.B. NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS.
The following 85 non-commissioned officers and men have volunteered for the front: –
.........
I (Corbridge) Company.
