County: Derbyshire
Issued on: Departure
Date of presentation: 02/02/1900
Number issued: 1
Gold pendant, suitably inscribed, to:
Volunteer Active Service Company, 2nd Bn. Somerset Light Infantry –
6822 Private Albert James LUXON
Presentation made by Mr J. Allsobrook, at the Babington Arms, Derby.
Subscribed for by fellow clerks of the Working Engines Department, Midland Railway Company.
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Derby Daily Telegraph, 6th February 1900
A SUDDEN CALL TO DUTY.
A very pleasant gathering took place at the Babington Arms on Friday night last on the occasion of Mr A.J. LUXON being called up for active service. Mr LUXON, who was until recently a clerk on the Somerset and Dorsetshire Railway at Highbridge, and who was two months back transferred to the Working Engines Department of the Midland Railway Company at Derby, had for some years been a member of the Prince Albert Somerset Light Infantry. He, however, volunteered for active service in South Africa with his company, and on Friday afternoon received a wire from his commanding officer instructing him to present himself at the depot, and to comply with this order Mr LUXON had to leave about midnight for home. As it had been anticipated that Mr LUXON would be called upon somewhat suddenly, his fellow clerks had bought a gold pendant, suitably inscribed, but the meeting on Friday evening was, of course, rather hastily arranged for the purpose of making the presentation. – The chair was most ably occupied by Mr J. Allsobrook, who, after expressing the very great pleasure it gave him to preside over that meeting, and wishing Mr LUXON the very best of luck and a speedy and safe return, presented that gentleman with the pendant on behalf of his office mates, and asked him to accept it as a token of the very great respect in which he was held by them all. Mr LUXON feelingly acknowledged the gift. – After a few suitable remarks by other gentlemen a move was made for the station, where a right down good send-off was given to the departing Volunteer. – Mention should be made that the company were indebted to Messrs W. Caunt, O.W. Elliott, H.A. Illsley, A.J. LUXON, G.B. Melville, and W. Rippon for some most excellent songs.
