Medals and awards

HONOURING GALASHIELS SERVICE VOLUNTEERS.

PRESENTATIONS OF MEDALS, &C.

On Thursday evening the Corporation of Galashiels gave a complimentary supper in honour of the local members and reservists of the Volunteer Service Company in the Volunteer Hall, which was tastefully decorated for the occasion. Over 400 gentlemen sat down to supper. Provost Riddle occupied the chair, and Bailies Lindsay, Watson, Little, and Scott, Major Stirling, and Captain Scott, acted as croupiers. Besides the six local Active Service Volunteers there were present a number of the other Border members of the Active Service Company, including Private W.S. OLIVER, of the Selkirk contingent, also Trooper A. RUTHERFORD of Plumer’s Horse, another “Braw Lad” returned home from the front, besides a number of invalided soldiers, there being about a score of khaki clad warriors in the company. On entering the hall the men were enthusiastically received. The gallery and platform were reserved for ladies, of whom about two hundred were present. After supper, the toast of “The Queen and Royal Family” was proposed from the chair. Mr G.D. Cramond submitted “The Imperial Forces”, and Lieut. L.G. Pringle, of the Highland Light Infantry, replied.

Provost Riddle on rising to propose the toast of “Our Guests – the Local Members of the Service Company”, was loudly cheered. He referred at the outset to forty Galashiels men volunteering at the time of the “False Alarm”, and proceeded to say that the ancient spirit which animated these men was not dead, as evidenced  by the patriotic action of their Volunteers. The men had proved themselves worthy of every honour which it was within their power to bestow. (Cheers). His toast did not refer to the Service Men alone; there were others equally worthy who also offered their services and only waited for marching orders – perhaps a more trying position in some respects than that of those engaged on active service. (Cheers). Those of them who were called out went at a most critical period in the history of the war. They went out, so to speak, with their lives in their hands. They were sent off with a hearty God-speed and fervent prayers for their safe return, and since then they had endured the toils and dangers of an arduous campaign. (Cheers). No complaints had been heard from their lips; the hardships would soon be forgotten, and only the glory would remain. (Cheers). The toast was enthusiastically received, the company singing “For they are jolly good fellows” and “Braw, braw lads”.

The Provost next presented each of the active service men – L.-Corp. W.H. HUME, L.-Corp. J. DONALDSON, Privs. James MILLS, A. LAUDER, David HOGARTH, and James CROSSAN – with a handsome gold medal, from the inhabitants of the town, in recognition of their services. The medals are of a very neat design, and bear on one side the burgh coat of arms, “Soor Plooms”, and on the other the inscription – “South African War. Presented to ________ by the inhabitants of Galashiels, on his return from the front. November, 1900”. The Provost also presented each of the men with a suit length of Galashiels tweed, given by a gentleman who desired that his name should not be known. On rising to receive their gifts, the men were loudly cheered.

Lance-Corporal W.H. HUME, in reply, thanked the gathering on behalf of his comrades and himself for the enthusiastic manner in which the toast had been received, and also Provost Riddle for the kind words expressed by him. He also conveyed their best thanks for the handsome presents they had received, and in doing so, expressed the high appreciation which they felt for the many kindnesses that had been extended to them by their fellow townsmen, from the time of their departure for South Africa till their arrival home. The memory of their hearty send-off still lingered with them, and the enthusiastic reception on their return home they could never forget. (Cheers). It afforded them great comfort and ample consolation, after the hardships and dangers of the campaign, to know that their services had been fully appreciated by their fellow townsmen, and that during their absence they had shown such interest in their welfare and safety. (Cheers). In the campaign through which they had just passed, they had gained the experience of a lifetime, and one on which they would always look back with feelings of pride and satisfaction for the small part they had taken in upholding the honour of their Queen and country, and of their native town. (Loud cheers).

THE CORONATION.

DISTRICT CELEBRATIONS.