County: East Yorkshire
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 00/06/1901
Number issued: 12 or 13
Although the intention had been to present medals, it appears that the Howden volunteers received gold rings instead.
Gold medals (or gold rings?), to:
Volunteer Active Service Company, East Yorkshire Regiment –
7043 Lance-Corporal Robert John FOSTER
7039 Lance-Corporal Harry HARRISON
7083 Lance-Corporal John Lambert JOHNSON
7082 Private Thomas Alfred BOYNTON
7037 Private James William CHESTER
7033 Private John Morritt CLARKSON
7042 Private W. HOLMES (died, Bloemfontein, 05/06/1900 - did his family receive a medal / ring?)
7034 Private George INGHAM
7035 Private Frederick George LEVITT
7040 Private Edward William SMITH
7041 Private Robert Brigham SMITH
7036 Private Alfred TYERMAN
7081 Private Charles YATES
"It is proposed also to present each of the returned Volunteers with a gold medal". Were these medals presented? A presentation of gold rings on 15 January 1902 might suggest that they were not.
The gold rings were inscribed: "South African War, with Howden's thanks".
Yorkshire Post, 13/06/1901
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Beverley Recorder, 15th June 1901
Howden.
Howden was the scene of great excitement on Wednesday consequent upon the return of the local Volunteers from South Africa. The men arrived by train shortly before noon, having marched from Beverley to Little Weighton station, and were vociferously cheered. They were met by the Howden Volunteers and a Reception Committee. The venerable Vicar of Howden said a few words expressive of gratitude that the soldiers had been preserved to return to their native land, also of pride that they had so honourably distinguished themselves. A procession, headed by the Beverley Borough Band, including members of the Parish Council, Friendly Societies, and school children, was then formed. After going round the town, it proceeded to the parish church, where a short thanksgiving service was held. After the service the procession was re-formed, and proceeded to the Market Place, where the National Anthem was heartily sung, and brief addresses were given by Mr G.H. Shaw and Captain Blackburn. In the afternoon and evening free sports were held in the Ashes. A reception and ball took place in the Shire Hall. It is proposed to present each of the returned Volunteers with a gold medal. Their names are Lance-Corporals R.J. FOSTER, H. HARRISON, and J. JOHNSON, Privates J. CHESTER, J.W. CLARKSON, LEVITT, INGHAM, A. BORYTON, E.W. SMITH, R. SMITH, TYERMAN, and C. YATES. The proceedings were kept up to a late hour, and it was midnight before the Beverley Borough Band reached home.
Hull Daily Mail, 17th January 1902
HOWDEN.
VOLUNTEER ENTERTAINMENT.
The annual entertainment took place in the Shire Hall on Wednesday. A sketch, “Jessamy’s Courtship”, was given, the performers being Mrs Schofield, the Misses Schofield, and Mr E.P. and Mr A. Schofield. The second part of the programme was principally musical. Those who took part included Mrs Prideaux Medcalf, Mrs Blackburn, Miss Morris, and Miss Hood. Mrs Dunn gave a recitation. Scenes of camp life were also illustrated by the Volunteers. In the interval a presentation was made to the Volunteers who had been out at the front by Mrs G.H. Anderton, on behalf of the War Committee. The presentation was in the form of a gold ring inscribed with the words “South African War, with Howden’s thanks”. The following were present to receive the gift: – Private CLARKSON, Private J. CHESTER, Private F.G. LEVITT, Private R.B. SMITH, Private G. INGHAM. The Volunteers who were unable to attend will have the rings forwarded to them. Their names are: – Corporal R.J. FOSTER, Lance-Corporal H. HARRISON, and J.L. JOHNSON, Private A. BOYNTON, Private E.W. SMITH, and Private C. YATES.
Aberdeen People's Journal, 25th January 1902
Howden (East Yorkshire) has an original method of thanking its Active Service Volunteers. Each returned volunteer has just received a gold ring, inscribed – “South African War, with Howden’s thanks”.
