County: Aberdeenshire
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 05/10/1901
Number issued: 12
Gold medals, to:
100 Private James WILL
"The medals bore the coat of arms of the town of Fraserburgh on the face, and 'Presented by the town of Fraserburgh' on the other side, and around the edge, 'For Duty', and the name of the Service Company to which the volunteers belonged, along with their own name, while on the bar were the words, 'South Africa, 1900-01'. The medal was suspended by a ribbon made of the tartan of the clan of the Frasers" (Peterhead Sentinel, 12/10/1901).
GOLD MEDALS FOR SERVICE VOLUNTEERS.
Major Macconnachie then presented the men to Lady Saltoun. He explained that three of the twelve men were not able to be present. He stated that Sergeant Andrew NOBLE had been a volunteer for 17 years, and that the others had been from two to seven years volunteers; and at the front they had taken part in no fewer than 33 engagements. The names of the recipients were: –
Private James WALKER.
The latter three were those that were absent. All belonged to the 2nd Service Company, with the exception of WILL, who took the place of his brother, who was killed, in the 1st Service Company. The South African medal was also presented to Burnett, who was unable to be at the ceremony at Aberdeen. Her ladyship pinned the medal to the breast of each recipient, and shook each warmly by the hand.
FRASERBURGH SERVICE VOLUNTEERS
PRESENTATION OF MEDALS BY LADY SALTOUN
On Saturday forenoon Fraserburgh volunteers who took part in the South African war were presented by Lady Saltoun, in the Town Hall, with gold medals, subscribed for by the town, in recognition of their services. The Town Hall was suitably decorated for the occasion with Union Jacks and drapery.
Sergeant Andrew NOBLE, Privates Joseph NOBLE, Alexander PURDIE, George BURNETT, Robert WATERFORD, Andrew BURNETT, Alexander BURNS, Thomas MORRISON, James WILL, James MILNE, James McINTOSH, and James WALKER all served with the 2nd Company, with the exception of Private Will, who went along with the 1st Company. There were a number of ladies present, the members of municipal bodies, and a number of prominent citizens.
Provost Finlayson presided, and intimated apologies for absence from Colonel Robertson, Peterhead; Colonel Scott, do.; Captain Bruce, Fraserburgh; Hon. Mr Trefusis; Mr Ogilvie Forbes, Boyndlie; Mr J. Duthie, Cairnbulg Castle; Rev Mr Robson, Fraserburgh; and Mr A.W. Maconochie, M.P.
The Provost, in introducing her ladyship, said they were met there that day to do honour to those volunteers who had returned from the front, and he was sure that while they were met there to do honour to them, they could not but regret that there were still Fraserburgh men – he referred to Captain PARK – at the front, whom they would also honour, and he hoped to have him amongst them soon. (Applause).
Lord Saltoun, who was received with applause, said he had had the honour to be associated with the gathering which received them when they arrived home from South Africa, and they had heard the eloquent speech their Provost had made, leaving little for him to say except to echo the sentiments then used. He himself had had the honour of serving in Her Late Majesty’s and the present King’s army a number of years, and he thought he had very much the same feeling with regard to this service as prevailed with every one of themselves who wore His Majesty’s uniform just now. Officers and men had all their duty to do for their King and country.
Major Macconnachie then introduced the men to her ladyship, and, in doing so, gave a short account of the service of each of them and the volunteer force and also the number of engagements in which they had taken part. These engagements, in the case of most of the men, amounted to 33 in number.
On the call of the major, the men stepped forward to the platform, and Lady Saltoun gracefully performed the ceremony of pinning on the medals, shaking hands with each in turn.
Major Cardno, on behalf of the volunteers, proposed a vote of thanks to her ladyship for presenting the medals, which was heartily given.
Lieutenant Cruickshank, on behalf of the service men, thanked the subscribers, and Baillie Bremner, as representing the Town Council, thanked Lady Saltoun for the graceful manner in which she had presented the gifts, remarking that his experience was that the better they knew her ladyship, the mor they esteemed her.
FRASERBURGH SERVICE VOLUNTEERS.
PRESENTATION OF MEDALS BY LADY SALTOUN.
THE twelve Fraserburgh volunteers who have returned from the South African war were on Saturday presented by Lady Saltoun, in the Town Hall, with gold medals, subscribed for by the town, in recognition of their services. The Hall was suitably decorated for the occasion.
The returned service volunteers are: - Sergeant Andrew NOBLE, Privates Joseph NOBLE, Alexander PINDIE [sic - Alexander PURDIE], George BURNETT [sic - George BIRNIE], Robert WATERFORD [sic - Robert WATERSON], Andrew BURNETT, Alexander BURNS, Thomas MORRISON, James WILL, James MILNE, James McINTOSH, James WALKER. All these served with the 2nd Company, with the exception of Private WILL, who went with the 1st Company. There were a number of ladies present, the members of the municipal bodies, and a number of prominent citizens. …….
……. Provost Finlayson, in introducing Lady Saltoun, said they were met there that day to do honour to those volunteers who had returned from the front, and he was sure that while they were met there that day to honour them, they could not but regret that there were still Fraserburgh men – he referred to Captain PARK – at the front, whom they would also honour, and he hoped to have him amongst them soon – (applause). They all knew the patriotic fever that prevailed in Fraserburgh and the great number of volunteers who had volunteered from that part of the country – Fraserburgh especially – and it was to honour these men that they were there that day. It was now some five months ago since they had returned, and he was sure that they all remembered the occasion of their home-coming, when Fraserburgh accorded to them the heartiest of welcomes – (applause). However memorable that welcome might have been, it was felt desirable that something more tangible should be given to them. Time, however, did not permit them to do this at once, but it was promised that in the near future they would receive some fitting memento of their services. Something to look at in the time to come, and something to hand down to posterity – (applause). The public of Fraserburgh fully appreciated their patriotism, and the Town Council had had twelve gold medals struck, and it was to present these medals that they were there that day – (applause). The medals bore the coat of arms of the town of Fraserburgh on the face, and “Presented by the town of Fraserburgh” on the other side, and round the edge, “For duty”, and the name of the Service Company to which the volunteers belonged, along with their own name, while on the bar were the words “South Africa, 1900-01”. The medal was suspended by a ribbon made of the tartan of the clan of the Frasers – (applause). The Town Council, he could assure them, had had a good deal of thought and advise as to the construction of the medal, but he thought they had fixed upon a very appropriate one. However, they thought it would make the presentation incomplete if it were not honoured by the presence of Lady Saltoun (applause) – and they were all gratified to find that her ladyship had so readily acceded to their request. Before proceeding formally with the presentation, he called on Lord Saltoun to address them. …….
……. He [Lord Saltoun] had been consulted about the motto for the medal, and thought he had selected a most appropriate one. “For duty” was a motto that covered everything. ……. He was proud to have the Fraser ribbon on the medal, and the town using the same arms as himself showed how intimately they were connected.
Major Macconnachie then introduced the men to her ladyship, and, in doing so, gave a short account of the service of each of them and the volunteer force and also the number of engagements in which they had taken part. These engagements, in the case of most of the men, amounted to 33 in number.
On the call of the major, the men stepped forward to the platform, and Lady Saltoun gracefully performed the ceremony of pinning on the medals, shaking hands with each in turn.
Private BURNS, on behalf of his comrades, thanked Lady Saltoun and the community for the honour done to them. They had had a hard time of it, but had come through it all safely.
Major Cardno, on behalf of the volunteers, proposed a vote of thanks to her ladyship for presenting the medals, which was heartily given.
Lieutenant Cruickshank, on behalf of the service men, thanked the subscribers, and Bailie Brebner, as representing the Town Council, thanked Lady Saltoun for the Graceful manner in which she had presented the gifts, remarking that his experience was that the better they knew her ladyship the more they esteemed her. …….
……. Lord Saltoun briefly replied on behalf of Lady Saltoun and himself.
On the call of Rev. M.P. Johnstone, the Provost was heartily thanked for presiding, and the proceedings were brought to a close by the singing of the National Anthem.
