County: Aberdeenshire
Issued on: Return
Dates of presentations: 11/05/1901, 17/01/1902
Number issued: 2
11/05/1901 presentation
69 Lance-Corporal Walter Scott BREBNER
17/01/1902 presentation
1895 Trooper William Leslie SIMON (also served as 903 Lance-Corporal W.L. Simon, Cape Police)
Presentation made by the Rev. G. Bartlett, in the Scott Hall, Forgue.
Trooper Simon served with the I.Y. from 25/02/1900 to 22/08/1900. He joined the Cape Police on 30/08/1900 (see WO100).
Trooper Brebner's sister, Miss Louisa Duff Brebner, died on 28/03/1902 in the hospital of the Middelburg Concentration Camp, where she was employed as a Government-appointed teacher (Huntly Express, 02/05/1902).
THE RETURN OF THE VOLUNTEERS.
HONOURING A SON OF FORGUE.
On Saturday evening the Scott Hall, Forgue, presented a charming appearance, on the occasion of a cake and wine banquet given in honour of Lance-Corporal Walter Scott BREBNER, son of the parish minister, who lately returned from the front with the 1st Service Company Gordon Volunteers. The guest of the evening wore the Gordon kilt and khaki tunic. Various flags were draped most artistically round the hall, and four pairs of Lee-Metford rifles and swords were arranged on the platform. It should be mentioned that the decorations were in the able hands of Miss Hay, Drumblair lodge. There was a large attendance present, and Dr Grant Hay occupied the chair, Messrs Taylor, Glendronach, and Robertson, Kirkland, being croupiers.
The Chairman submitted the first toast, “The King”, which was duly honoured. He then gave “The Army, Navy and Reserve Forces”. He had no need, he said, to remark as to the valour of our army or our navy. Croakers used to sneer at the volunteer force as a lot of “fireside sodgers”, but since the present war had started they had found out their error. (Applause). The volunteers had shown the greatest of pluck in the present war, especially the Gordons. (Renewed applause). He was sorry there was not a volunteer company in Forgue.
Mr Taylor, in replying, said he thought they should have a company of volunteers in the “kingdom”, and he understood that Rev. Mr Brebner had volunteered to become chaplain. (Applause). They had a worthy captain ready to take up command. He thought that in Forgue they could get 100 men to constitute a company. (Applause).
Miss Katie Brebner here sang “The Soldiers of the Queen”.
At this stage Private GEDDES, Logie-Newtor Cottage, Ythan Wells, entered the hall, and was accorded an enthusiastic welcome. He also had been a volunteer with the 1st Service Company.
The Chairman said he rose with the greatest pleasure to submit the toast of the evening, “Our Guest”. (Loud applause). When the call was first made, Mr BREBNER had offered himself willingly for the service of his Queen and country. (Applause). No doubt ha had had many trials and hardships in South Africa, but he was now at home again, and looking as fit as ever. (Applause). Rev. Mr Brebner had another son at the front in Kitchener’s Horse, who were nicknamed the “High Kickers”. (Laughter). Then there was Leslie SYMON [sic], son of the esteemed V.S. (Applause). Though that young man had recently been attacked by fever, he was now able to ride fifty miles a day with despatches. (Applause). They had present with them Private GEDDES – (applause) – who had been wounded at Krugersdorp. He asked the company to drink most heartily to the health of Lance-Corporal BREBNER. (Applause, and singing of “For he’s a jolly good fellow”).
Lance-Corporal BREBNER, in replying, narrated some of his experiences at the front, and quoted a passage from Winston Churchill’s book on the war. He gave a list of the towns captured. He replied, not only for himself, but as representative of the 1st Service Company. (Loud applause).
Mr Wright, schoolmaster, at this stage, in a neat speech, presented Lance-Corporal BREBNER with a handsome gold watch chain, with pendant, subscribed for in the parish, and the recipient feelingly replied, stating that he would most willingly go out again if the country required him. (Applause).
HONOURING A TROOPER HOME FROM THE FRONT.
INTERESTING GATHERING AT FORGUE.
A smoking concert and presentation took place in the Scott Hall, Forgue, on Friday evening, in honour of Trooper W.L. SIMON, of the Kimberley Cape Mounted Police, son of Mr J. Simon, V.S., Gariochsburn, and who is home on furlough. The hall was most tastefully decorated for the occasion by members of the committee. The platform was adorned with guns and crossed swords, drapery was hung round the walls, while a large Union Jack was displayed in front of the gallery. On the tables were many beautiful pot plants.
It is two years this month since Trooper SIMON joined the Cape Police, and he has seen a good deal of active service. He was twice wounded, receiving both shots in the same affray, and had the misfortune to be taken prisoner. Dr Grant Hay, Drumblair Lodge, presided. …….
……. The Chairman then submitted the toast of the evening, “Trooper Simon”. In doing so he referred to the trying experiences through which Trooper SIMON had passed, and, on behalf of the company, extended a hearty welcome to him. They were all glad to see him home looking so well and fit. (Applause).
Trooper SIMON, who was loudly cheered on rising, said he was unable to express his feelings on that occasion. When he was lying out on the veldt, drenched to the skin for weeks together, he had often thought of his friends in Forgue. (Applause). He would willingly go through it all again rather than miss such a night as that with his old friends. (Applause). He most heartily thanked them for the honour they had done him. (Applause).
Rev. G. Bartlett, on the call of the Chairman, then in appropriate terms presented Trooper SIMON with a gold albert and pendant, which had been subscribed by Forgue friends.
