Medals and awards

Gold badges of the Rovers' Cycling Club, to:

 

Lance-Corporal Simpson received a second medal from Derby on his return.

 

 

In the form of a cycle horn with central crest of Derbyshire, below which is a banner inscribed ‘Derby Rovers C.C.’, reverse inscribed ‘To F. A. Pitman on his return from the Boer War’.

 

Obverse: "Derby Rovers C.C."

Reverse: "To F. A. Pitman on his return from the Boer War".

 

Pitman example sold through Dix Noonan Webb, 04/12/2001, for £1,500 (with damage to blue enamel).

 

 

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Athletic News, 13th May 1901

 

CYCLISTS FROM THE FRONT.

 

 

Derbyshire Advertiser, 17th May 1901

 

DERBY ROVERS’ CYCLING CLUB.

On Friday evening, a very enjoyable smoking concert was held at the Derwent Hotel, for the purpose of welcoming home three members of the Derby Rovers’ Cycling Club, who have recently returned from South Africa. Their names are COLLINS (who went out as a reservist with the 1st Derbyshires); W. GREWCOCK (St John Ambulance Brigade), and H.E. SIMPSON, of the Volunteers, who returned home on April 29th. Councillor G. Innes presided, and amongst those present were, Messrs C.T. Dowell (Chairman of the club), H. Dexter (captain), C.E. Greville, C.E. Salt (hon. sec.), T. Frost, F.C. Watts, F. Wallis, H.M. Bancroft, etc. – The chairman, in the course of his remarks, expressed gratification at seeing so many present to do honour to the members who had just returned from the front. He felt sure they would agree with him that there never was a time in the history of a nation when there was such enthusiastic loyalty shown to a sovereign and a country as there is today. (Applause). Indeed, Derby had played a very prominent part in that loyalty. They were doubly proud of the gentlemen who belonged more particularly to themselves as cyclists who had seen active service in South Africa. The Rovers’ Cycling Club had cause to remember with feelings of pride and pleasure that they had been able to send out a few men to the front. On his left hand that evening was their good friend Mr J. COLLINS, a reservist, who joined the forces in South Africa with the 1st Derbyshires. He joined the fighting line under General Ian Hamilton somewhere near the Tugela River, and took part in several engagements. This good friend could no doubt recall many strange and exciting incidents he had passed through. He (the speaker) ventured to think that the indomitable courage the soldiers had shown had raised them high in the estimation of their countrymen, and, indeed, throughout the world. Councillor Innes went on to refer to the work done by Mr W. GREWCOCK, who went out with the St John Ambulance Corps, and marched to Kimberley, where they performed excellent service. They were proud of Mr GREWCOCK and of those men who risked their lives in such noble work. (Applause). – Mr H.E. SIMPSON, another member of their club, joined the volunteer force who had rendered valuable assistance to the regular forces. (Applause). On behalf of the club he had great pleasure in presenting their worthy guests with an artistically designed badge as a token of respect and esteem for the work they had rendered. In addition he had expected to present them with a gold badge each, but these were not yet ready, but they would be presented to them on a subsequent occasion. They were all very pleased to see their guests looking so well and happy that evening, and he heartily wished them long life, happiness and prosperity. (Applause). The speaker also alluded to Mr F.A. PITMAN, another member of the club, who went out to South Africa with the Derbyshire Yeomanry and was expected home shortly. During the evening each of the men replied, and a capital musical programme was rendered by various friends connected with the club.

  

 

Derbyshire Daily Telegraph, 22nd July 1901

 

THE NATIONAL CYCLISTS’ UNION.

ENTERTAINED BY MR GRETTON AT MELBOURNE.

On Saturday afternoon Mr John Gretton, M.P., the president of the Deby and District Centre of the N.C.U., invited the whole of the members of the various clubs affiliated to meet him at Melbourne. Nearly 700 cyclists of either sex accepted the invitation, and the affair proved an eminently successful one. …….

……. It was his [Mr Gretton’s] duty – and a very pleasurable duty – to be the instrument on their behalf in making two interesting presentations. One was to Trooper PITMAN, of the Imperial Yeomanry – a very gallant young man, and a member of the Derby Rovers’ Cycling Club – whose action in South Africa had been the talk of the nation. Trooper PITMAN, it will be remembered, was with Lieut. Power on the occasion when he was called upon by the Boers to surrender unconditionally, and when the gallant lieutenant returned the note with “No quarter, no surrender”, written in pencil on the back of it, Trooper PITMAN, under a triple cross fire, rode from the hard-pressed band of Derbyshire men to the main camp, and was thus the means of bringing up reinforcements. In handing him the badge of the Rovers’ Cycling Club in gold, the member for South Derbyshire said – “You are going to have a medal from the King soon, and I am sure you will thoroughly deserve it”. (Cheers). Trooper JERRAM, of the Derby Castle Fields Club, was also presented with the badge of the club in gold, and Mr Gretton said that, although the recipient had not made such a name for himself as had his companion, yet he had no doubt, had the opportunity arisen, his courage would have been displayed in equally brilliant manner. He had gone through considerable fighting, and during his sojourn in South Africa had taken part in no less than 76 engagements. (Cheers).

Trooper JERRAM, in returning thanks, said it was a pleasure to both of them to think that their services were not forgotten. He assured them that it was a great pleasure to get back to England once more. It was not the fault of the Boers that they had got back. (Laughter). People could say what they liked about foreign countries, but England took a lot of beating. (Laughter and cheers). – Trooper PITMAN also briefly replied.