County: North Yorkshire
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 00/06/1900
Number issued: 1
Gold watch-chain & medal, suitably inscribed, to:
2nd Bn. Seaforth Highlanders –
4665 Private Robert BRUCE
Presentation made by Mr J. Marshall, at Bryant's Temperance Hotel, Croft.
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Northern Echo, 16th June 1900
Presentation to a Croft Reservist.
Croft has been one of the most enthusiastic of the villages near Darlington over the war, indeed celebrations of the several victories have been taking place in a most loyal manner. Hence it was not surprising to learn that when Private BRUCE, brother of P.C. Bruce, of Croft, was invalided home from the front a subscription list was at once put in hand to make him a presentation. So heartily has this been taken up that in less than two months a sum of over £20 has been voluntarily subscribed. Private BRUCE is a reservist of the 2nd Seaforth Highlanders, and has seen a good deal of active service, first of all in the campaign in Crete in 1897, and also in the Soudan war. For these services Private BRUCE was rewarded with the Atbara and Omdurman medals. He went out at the commencement, and has been in several small engagements, the principal one being Magersfontein, during which he received a slight wound. Shortly afterwards he was attacked with sciatica and malarial fever, and was invalided home. On Thursday night the presentation took place at Croft, and the room was crowded to its utmost capacity. Mr Marshall, of The Poplars, was in the chair, and his genial manner, together with his generous action in defraying the expenses of the gathering, added considerably to the enjoyment of the evening. The present consisted of a purse of gold and a chain, with a pendant medal, the latter being fastened on to the recipient by the Chairman.
Darlington North Star, 16th June 1900
PRESENTATION AT CROFT.
At Bryant’s Temperance Hotel, Croft, a presentation was made to Private Robert BRUCE, of the 2nd Seaforth Highlanders, on Thursday night, in recognition of the services he has rendered his Queen and country in the South African campaign. Bruce has been invalided home, and will return to active service as soon as he is convalescent. The presentation consisted of a gold watch chain and medal, suitably inscribed, and a purse containing £20. Mr J. Marshall presided over a large gathering.
The Chairman, in handing over the presents, said the soldiers who had gone through the serious fighting in South Africa would never be forgotten, as had been the case in past years.
Private BRUCE having returned thanks, several toasts were honoured.
Mr Pluse read the following letter, which had been received from Mr W.H. Wilson-Todd, M.P. – “I am much obliged to you for your letter, and am very glad to hear of the success that has attended your efforts in raising funds for a suitable testimonial for presentation to Private R. Bruce. I am sorry to be unable to be present at the presentation, and beg you will offer to Private Bruce my best wishes that he may long enjoy the gift as a token of the appreciation of his good character by his neighbours at Croft”.
Sunderland Daily Echo, 19th June 1900
PRESENTATION TO A SOLDIER.
At Bryant’s Temprance Hotel, Croft, a presentation was made to Private Robert BRUCE, of the 2nd Seaforth Highlanders. BRUCE, who is a son of the foreman painter at Lambton Castle, has been invalided home from the front in South Africa. The presentation consisted of a gold watch chain and medal, suitably inscribed, and a purse containing £20. Mr J. Marshall, of the Poplars, presided over a large gathering, which took the form of a smoking concert. The chairman made the presentation, and Private BRUCE returned thanks. Sympathetic letters were read from Lord Durham and Mr W.H. Wilson-Todd, M.P. The principal subscribers, in addition to those gentlemen, were Sir William Chaytor, Col. Forester, Mrs Dixon Johnson, and Mr Layfield.
