Reconstruction of the Ellon medal (crown added from Haworth Conservative Club tribute)
County: Aberdeenshire
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 04/05/1901
Number issued: 6
Gold medals, to:
1st Volunteer Active Service Company, Gordon Highlanders ["B" Company, 2nd V.B.G.H.] –
70 Private W. CHALMERS (invalided)
72 Private George FRASER [J. Fraser]
106 Private A.J. GORDON (invalided)
77 Private T. MAIR
79 Private C. MILNE
8084 Private Arthur THOMSON
Obverse: "SOUTH AFRICAN CAMPAIGN 1899-1901".
Reverse: "[PTE ARTHUR THOMSON] / From / ELLON FRIENDS".
Design of medal similar to that of the Haworth Conservative Club tribute.
The Ellon Volunteers were entertained at a "cake and wine banquet", in the New Inn Hall on 04/05/1901. The report does not mention a distribution of medals, but it seems likely that the presentation took place during this function.
Thomson example sold through Dix Noonan Webb, 18/07/2019 (lacking crown & suspension loop).
Buchan Observer, 07/05/1901
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Aberdeen People's Journal, 11th May 1901 (no mention of medals)
ELLON.
THE VOLUNTEERS’ RETURN.
A very hearty welcome was extended to the six volunteers from the Ellon Company 2nd V.B.G.H., on their return from active service on Saturday. The returned volunteers are Privates T. MAIR, C. MILNE, A. THOMSON, George FRASER, W. CHALMERS, and GORDON. Privates CHALMERS and GORDON have been at home for some time, the former being invalided from enteric and the latter having been wounded. The local company paraded at the station, and as the Service Volunteers emerged they were greeted by the strains of “See the Conquering Hero Come”, while a large crowd cheered enthusiastically. The company then marched to the Parish Church, where Chaplain Young conducted a short service. The men were afterwards entertained at a cake and wine banquet in the New Inn Hall. Colonel Rae presided over a large company, and gave the toast “The Returned Volunteers”. He sketched the doings of the 1st Service Company in South Africa, and was sure they all felt the greatest gratification at seeing their friends home again. Prolonged cheering and the singing of “They are Jolly Good Fellows” followed the Colonel’s speech.
Aberdeen Press & Journal, 6th May 1901 (Privates Chalmers & Gordon already invalided)
The Haworth Conservative Club and Ellon medals, showing that the Ellon tribute would have originally been surmounted with a crown (reconstruction shown at top of page).
Both have maker's mark "M&B", for Marples & Beasley, Birmingham.
