County: Oxfordshire
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 24/07/1901
Number issued: 4
Gold medals, to:
7261 Private Robert William WARD
Presentation made by Miss Marion Cooper, in the Drill Hall, Henley.
Subscribed for by past and present officers and non-commissioned officers and a few friends.
The medals were of gold, with the Borough Arms on one side, and on the reverse, the name of the recipient and “South Africa, 1900 – 1901” (Henley Advertiser, 27/07/1901).
RANDOM NOTES.
PRESENTATION TO RETURNED VOLUNTEERS.
On Wednesday evening, through the energy of ex-Colour-Sergeant T.M. Drewett, the four Volunteers from the Henley Company of Volunteers were presented with gold medals, which were subscribed for by past and present officers and non-commissioned officers and a few friends. This pleasing ceremony took place in the Drill Hall after the weekly drill. Lieut. Ward presided, being supported by Miss Cooper, Miss L. Cooper, Miss M. Cooper, and Major Rickards. There was a good attendance in the body of the Hall.
Lieut. Ward stated the object of the gathering, mentioning that as Miss Janet Cooper had taken such a keen interest in the soldiers at the front they thought they could not ask a more suitable lady to present the medals, but in her unavoidable absence he would ask Miss Marion Cooper to perform the task.
Miss Marion Cooper, in a few week-chosen remarks, expressed the great regret Miss Janet Cooper felt at being unable to be present, saying that nothing but an engagement at Hendon – on behalf of the Sailors and Soldiers Association – would have precented her attendance. She knew the work her sister had done on behalf of the soldiers from Henley and district, and thought she might be called the “Soldier’s Friend” – (applause).
Privates WARD, SESSIONS, TOMALIN, and DREWETT then came forward to receive their medals, the band playing “See the Conquering Hero Comes” as each one walked to the platform, where Miss Marion Cooper pinned the medals on their breasts amidst loud applause.
Lieut. Ward suitably thanked Miss M. Cooper, who again made an effective little speech, which brought the proceedings to an end.
HENLEY VOLUNTEERS.
PRESENTATION OF MEDALS TO MEN FROM THE FRONT.
On Wednesday evening, after the usual weekly drill of the Henley Company, a pleasing little ceremony took place at the Drill Hall, when gold medals were presented to the four members of the Company who have recently returned from South Africa. The ceremony was to have been performed by Miss Janet Cooper, who has done such excellent work in connection with the local branch of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Families’ Association, but as that lady was obliged to be away at a meeting held in aid of that Association elsewhere, her place was taken by Miss Marion Cooper, who gracefully presented the medals. There was a good number of friends of the Company present at the ceremony, those on the platform being Lieut. A.B. Ward, Major Richards, and the Misses E., L. and M. Cooper. Amongst those in the body of the Hall were Mr and Mrs J.F. Cooper, Mr and Mrs F. Marsh, Mr and Mrs Harriman, Mt T.M. Drewett, R. Peck, A. Austin, A. Holbrow, T. Spring, and the non-commissioned officers and men of the Company, who were lined up in uniform at the back of the hall.
Lieut. Ward remarked that they had met to present medals to the men of the Henley Company who had come back from South Africa – (applause). The medals had been subscribed for by past and present officers and members, and friends of the Company. In view of the fact that the Misses Cooper had taken such a great interest in the doings of the men when in South Africa, they did not think there could be a more fitting person to present the medals than Miss Janet Cooper – (applause). Unfortunately, however, she was unable to be there that night, but the her place would kindly taken by Miss Marion Cooper. Lieut. Ward also said that he had received letters from Major Ames, Major Noble, Mr Ovey and Councillors Lidderdale and Dee, regretting their inability to attend.
As Privates WARD, SESSIONS, DREWETT and TOMALIN were presented with the medals on the platform, the Band played “See the Conquering Hero”, and the “lads in Khaki” were loudly cheered.
Miss Marion Cooper explained the reason for Miss Janet Cooper’s absence and said she was sure that anything her sister had been able to do had been a great pleasure to her, and so long as the local funds held out and there were any shirts, socks, tobacco or anything to go out, it would be sent. (Applause). The little parcels of clothing, and other things which had been sent from Henley had been gladly received by the men and she had seen many letters which her sister had received, saying how very useful the articles had proved to the men.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, hearty cheers were given for Miss Cooper and the Company was then marched back to the Armoury at the Town Hall.
The medals were of gold, with the Borough Arms on one side, and on the reverse, the name of the recipient and “South Africa, 1900 – 1901”.
