1900 departure medal
1901 departure medal, to 8597 Sergeant J.B. GILLIES
1902 return medal, to 8679 Drummer D. McLACHLAN ("D Mc L")
County: Renfrewshire
Issued on: Departure & Return
Dates of presentations: 15/01/1900, 03/05/1900, bef 16/04/1901, aft 15/07/1902, 01/08/1902
Number issued: c. 89
15/01/1900 presentation (Departure)
7277 Private John SMITH (also served as 8580 Private John SMITH, 2nd V.A.S.C.)
8469 Private J.H. ROBERTS
???? Private W.B. WOOD
8746 Trooper William WILSON
E1349 Private Alexander SCORGIE (died, Martin's Rust / Vet River, 30/04/1902)
Presentation made by Provost Black, in the Town Hall, Greenock.
03/05/1900 presentation (Departure)
8540 Private J. FULTON
bef. 16/04/1901 presentation (Departure)
8599 Private J.C. DULEY
aft. 15/07/1902 presentation (Return)
8584 Private W. TULLOCH
01/08/1902 presentation (Return)
8698 Private W. THOMSON
Presentation made by Provost Anderson, in the Town Hall, Greenock.
20/08/1902 presentation (memorial medals)
8544 Corporal David Richmond AITKEN (died, Pretoria, 29/05/1901)
28935 Trooper Frank LAURENT [Laurent] (died, Pretoria, 31/07/1901)
28897 Trooper Robert CALDERHEAD (drowned, nr. Wepner, 18/10/1901)
15403 Lance-Corporal George Rankin BENSON (died from wounds, Aberdeen, 10/03/1901)
Presentation made by Colonel William Lamont, to the parents of the deceased.
ISSUED UNNAMED
Reverse: "South African War - 1900".
Reverse: "South African War - 1902".
Drummer D. McLachlan example sold through Dix Noonan Webb, 23/09/2011, for £3,400.
Mr J.W. Bailey moved the following resolution: “That the inhabitants of Greenock, in public meeting assembled, do hereby express their admiration of the courage, public spirit, and patriotism displayed by John A. BRAND, William CLARK, Joseph DALLAS, Duncan CRAIG, Thomas G. HARRIS, Arthur HOLMES, Finlay McKENZIE, Thomas McFARLANE, James McGILL, James W. MURRAY, George McARTHUR, Edward S. McGRATH, John ORMSBY, James C. PURDON, D. McINTOSH, John SMITH, C. CURRIE, N. MACPHAIL, A. SCORGIE, R.E. WILSON, Jas. FORREST, John McINTYRE, James CHITTICK, Allan C. SMITH, A. ALLAN, W.B. WOOD, Fergus BOWMAN, Peter SHARP, Andrew DAVIDSON, D. LETHAM, J.H. ROBERTS, Daniel MUNN, and H. McDOUGALL, the thirty-three men now present, on their being accepted as Volunteers to proceed to South Africa as soldiers of the Queen, in order to take part in the war now proceeding there in defence of our rights against the invasion by the Boers of British territory, and of the homes and hearths of British subjects there resident”.
PRESENTATION OF GOLD MEDALS.
Provost Black, on behalf of the Corporation, then presented each of the men for the front (thirty-three in all) with a handsome gold medal as a token of the town’s appreciation of their patriotism in coming forward for active service. In handing them over, the Provost remarked that when the Volunteers planted the British flag on the ramparts of Pretoria they would remember the town of Greenock. Much enthusiasm was evoked among the audience when the presentations were made.
Provost McMaster (Port-Glasgow), in a stirring speech, spoke to the resolution which had been passed, as did also Bailie Cameron.
At the conclusion of Bailie Cameron’s remarks, the audience, on his suggestion, rose en masse, and sang lustily “Rule Britannia”.
Colonel Lamont, on behalf of the battalion, and very specially for the active service men, thanked the Provost and Magistrates for the signal honour they had conferred upon them that night. In conclusion, he referred to the hearty manner in which Provost Black had taken up the matter, and said that they recognised in him “a grand old man”. (Loud applause).
On the command of Colonel Lamont, the battalion fixed bayonets (on the point of which they placed their bonnets); arms were then presented, and three ringing cheers given for Her Majesty the Queen.
During the evening the brass and pipe bands of the regiment played appropriate selections.
The gathering, which was enthusiastic throughout, terminated about 9.30, after which the Volunteers returned to the Drill Hall.
1ST (RENFREW) V.B. A. & S. HIGHLANDERS.
PRESENTATION TO ACTIVE SERVICE MEN.
An interesting gathering took place last night at the officers’ quarters, when Provost Black presented Lieutenant A.E. STEWART and Private FULTON, of the local Active Service Company, with gold medals. Colonel Lamont presided, and amongst those present were Provost Black, Bailies Calder and McNeill, Mr Colin MacCulloch (Town Clerk), Dr Wilson, Mr James Agnew, Lieut.-Colonels Tannahill and J.K. Stewart, Majors W.U. Park, A. Lyle, G.H. Black (of 5th Battalion), A.J. Paton, and E. Wilson, Captain Shankland, and Lieutenants Glen, Gatherer, Taylor, Clapperton, F. Lyle, Erskine, and Lang.
Colonel Lamont said they were honoured in having the head of the municipality and some of the Magistrates with them that night. The Volunteers of Greenock and neighbourhood felt a great debt of gratitude to Provost Black for the patriotic way in which he had acted from the very beginning of the Volunteer movement in connection with the war in South Africa. It was to Provost Black that they were indebted for that meeting. Colonel Lamont then referred to the splendid response made by the Greenock battalion to the call for volunteers. Altogether there were about thirty men from Greenock at the front – foot and horse. This was the first time in their history that an officer was going from their midst to war.
Provost Black said he might well be proud of being Provost of a town which had shown so much patriotism, whereby many of their young men had volunteered to go forward to defend the rights of their country and of their colonies. He was exceedingly proud of being the instrument of showing some attention to these young men – it was their right and their due. (Applause). He could not but compliment Lieut. STEWART and Private FULTON on the patriotism they had shown in leaving their homes and business for the service of the country.
The Town Clerk then read the inscription on the medals, after which the Provost, amid applause, pinned them on the breasts of Lieut. Stewart and Private Fulton.
After the health of the Queen had been proposed by Colonel Tannahill, Lieutenant STEWART returned thanks of behalf of himself and Private FULTON for the kindness shown to them. He mentioned that the draft sailed on Wednesday first on board the Greenock-built P. and O. steamer Assaye. (Applause).
Mr Robert Fulton, Gourock, father of Private Fulton, thanked the gathering for the kind way in which they had treated his son.
RECITALS COMMITTEE FINANCE.
GREENOCK VOLUNTEERS FOR SOUTH AFRICA.
DEPARTURE FOR STIRLING TODAY.
GOLD MEDALS FOR GREENOCK VOLUNTEERS.
THE VOLUNTEERS.
DEPARTURE OF LOCAL VOLUNTEERS FOR THE FRONT.
RECEPTION AT THE TOWN HALL.
Owing to the constructive alterations presently going on in the Town Hall, the public were admitted to the gallery only, while the bands and companies were formed up in the area. The members of the Third Active Service Company were accommodated on the platform, and their appearance was the signal for a renewed outburst of cheering.
Provost Anderson presided, and he was accompanied to the platform by Col. Lamont, Lieut.-Col. J.K. Stewart, Rev. W.W. Beveridge (chaplain), Bailie Cameron, Bailie McMillan, Bailie Black, Councillors Shearer, McInnes, Andrew, Bailey, Williamson, and Forbes, Mr Colin MacCulloch (Town Clerk), Mr James Auld, Treasurer Chalmers, Provost McMaster, Port Glasgow, Rev. D.S. Adam, and Mr Marshall.
The Rev. W.W. Beveridge offered prayer, after which Col. Lamont said he had the pleasure for the third, and he hoped for the last time, he had the privilege of presenting to Provost Anderson a detachment of the 1st Volunteer Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders on their return from South Africa after doing service for their King and country. (Applause). He was proud to say that of the thirty-five, including one officer, who left this town not one had been left in hospital. Three of the thirty-five had been left in South Africa because they had obtained employment. He thought it was a record that after five months trekking up and down in South Africa they could honestly sat that the men had come back sound in wind and limb, and had done their day’s “darg” and all that was asked of them, and had been highly complimented by Colonel Wilson, Lord Kitchener, Sir Ian Hamilton, and last but not least by the captain of the company – Captain BLACK, who was unable to be with them. He had pleasure in presenting the men to the Provost. (Applause).
Provost Anderson said he had the greatest pleasure in name of the Corporation in according a very hearty welcome to the men who had returned from the front. (Applause). He was sure they all remembered that not one of their gallant young friends was compelled to go there. They observed our country was in danger, and a true patriotic spirit moved them and led them to offer their services on behalf of their King and country. (Applause). It was with them – first country, last self. Those who had just returned had not rendered service under fire, but that was no fault of theirs. (Applause). They were glad that the return of these men was preceded with “peace with honour”, and that there was no prospect of another demand being made on the loyalty of this battalion to go to the front. They were proud that their arms had been successful, and that the British army had been extended as an outcome of the recent war. (Applause). They were also proud that the war just ended had demonstrated beyond a doubt that our Volunteer force was no myth. They were a reality, and had proved themselves to be a power in connection with upholding the honour and integrity of the British Empire. (Applause). While the eyes of the civilised world had been upon us so they must have observed that England was not now “a little England” – (cries of “Britain”) – that our Empire (laughter) – was not a small country. (Applause). Yet they would think of those who had friends that fell and their sympathy would go out to those parents, brothers, sisters, and stricken homes, and they would fondly hope and long for the time when nations would learn war no more. (Applause).
The Provost, on behalf of the Corporation, then presented gold medals to the following members of the Active Service Company – Lieut. J.M. LAMONT, Colour-Sergt. SHEARER, Corpl. ROBERTSON, Drummers D. McLACHLAN and J. WILSON, Stretcher Bearers A. McLEAN and J. McLEOD, Privates R. BAIN, L. BLAIR, J. BOYD, H. BUCHANAN, D. CLARK, J. CRAIG, D. CRAWFORD, J. GOTHARD, R. HALLIDAY, T. HOLMES, M.F. JACKSON, G. LESLIE, P. LYNCH, R. MARTIN, W. McGRANNACHAN, H. McLACHLAN, H. McNAB, N. MILLER, R. MILLS, W. MORRISON, Geo. ROBERTS, G. STABLES, R. SWEENEY, and W. THOMSON.
Privates Donald ORR, D. ANDERSON, and J.C. BELL have elected to remain in South Africa.
Lieut. J.M. LAMONT returned thanks in a few sentences on behalf of himself and men.
RETURN OF A. & S. VOLUNTEERS FROM SOUTH AFRICA.
SPLENDID WELCOME AT GREENOCK.
The Third Active Service Company of Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, who returned from South Africa on board the s.s. German, arrived at Stirling Castle last Friday afternoon. It was only after the train conveying the Volunteers had left Berwick that the authorities knew when they would likely arrive, and consequently little could be done in the way of welcoming the company. The train reached Stirling about 3.40, and the Volunteers were played up to the Castle by two pipers. On arriving there they found an excellent tea awaiting them. In the evening the men were allowed to leave for home.
On the return of the Company to Greenock in the evening there was a repetition of the enthusiastic scenes witnessed when the preceding two companies arrived back from the front.
At Cartsdyke Station the men, numbering 32, were met by Provost Anderson and several of his colleagues in the Corporation, Colonel Lamont, and the battalion of the 1st Renfrew Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
A procession was formed for the march to the Town Hall, and all along the crowded streets the returned men were greeted with hearty cheers.
At the Town Hall there was scarcely an inch of available space left unoccupied, when Colonel Lamont, in introducing the men to Provost Anderson, who presided, said that of the 35 men who composed the 3rd Company, 32 had returned home, the other three having remained behind in South Africa. It was surely a record that after five months moving up and down the country they could honestly say that all the men came back sound of wind and limb.
This, too, was after hard work, for which they had been complimented by Colonel Wilson, Lord Kitchener, and their own captain, Captain Black, who had had to return to Dunoon that night, and consequently was not with them.
Provost Anderson said he had the greatest possible pleasure, in the name of the Corporation and community, in according the men a hearty welcome back. (Applause). It should be remembered that these men went to the front and underwent risks for their country of their own accord. With them it was country first and self last. It had been said that these men were not much engaged in active fighting, but that was because the occasion did not arise. What did fall to them to do was loyally discharged. The war was now happily at an end. He was proud that our arms had been successful, and that the British Empire had been extended as the result. He was not glad simply because we had overcome the Boers, he was glad that the flag which was the emblem of equity and liberty now waved over a larger number of people than before. (Applause).
The men were then formally introduced to the Provost, who, on behalf of the town, presented each with a handsome gold medal.
Immediately after the public welcome, a complimentary supper was given the men in the Saloon of the Town Hall, when there was a large company presided over by Provost Anderson.
GREENOCK CORPORATION AND THE 1ST RENFREW.
GREENOCK FALLEN VOLUNTEERS.
UNVEILING OF MEMORIAL TABLET.
The memorial brass, which is a beautiful work of art, from the design of Messrs Jones & Willis, London, and a description of which has already appeared in our columns, is placed inside the church immediately above the main doorway. It bears the following inscription on the left panel: “Erected by the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of 1st (Renfrewshire) Volunteer Battalion Princess Louise’s Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, in commemoration of the patriotic self-sacrifice of their comrades of the battalion who died on active service in South Africa during the campaign of 1899 to 1902”.
On the right panel are the names of the men – viz., Trooper George Rankin BENSON, Imperial Yeomanry, died of wounds at Aberdeen, Cape Colony; Corporal David Richmond AITKEN, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, died of enteric at Pretoria; Trooper Francis Louis Rudolph LAURANT, Imperial Yeomanry, died of enteric at Pretoria; Trooper Robert CALDERHEAD, Imperial Yeomanry, drowned near Wepner; Trooper Alexander SCORGIE, South African Constabulary, died of enteric at Martin’s Rust.
At the top of this panel are the words “Faithful unto Death”, and at the bottom, “To Faithful Warriors Cometh Rest”.
THE VOLUNTEERS.
Greenock Telegraph, 16th January 1900 (roll of men selected for the 1st Active Service Company)
