County: London
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 04/03/1901, 25/09/1902
Number issued: 4
04/03/1901 presentation
1205 Private G.F. WADDELL
3279 Private James William ELDRIDGE
and 1 unnamed man who was still in South Africa.
25/09/1902 presentation
Private ILOTT
3279 Private James William ELDRIDGE (2nd tour of duty - did not receive a second badge)
WELCOME HOME TO FORESTERS.
DINNER AND CONCERT.
On Monday, a dinner and concert, organised by Courts 1,823, 2,122, 2,442, 2,448, 3,130, 3,479, 3,535, 4,239, and 5,175, of the Ancient Order of Foresters, was held at Hammersmith Town Hall, to welcome home the Foresters who have been serving in South Africa. …….
Mr W.J. Bull, M.P., who is a member of the Order, presided, and was supported on his right by Miss Brandon, Councillor and Mrs Earsdon, Mr and Mrs Bunn, Mr and Mrs Shepherd, and on his left by Mrs Budden (Mr Bell’s sister), Mr J. Brandon, L.C.C., Mr Knightsmith, and Mr T. Pitt (Secretary). Alderman Canon White officiated as Vice-Chairman. Amongst the company, numbering 151, present were Private ELDRIDGE, 19th Yorkshire Regiment, and Private W. WADDELL, Second South Middlesex Volunteers (the guests of the evening) …….
Along the front of the gallery was placed a string of small flags, in the centre being a red banner with the inscription: “A.O.F. Welcome Home”. In other parts of the hall Union Jacks and C.I.V. flags were displayed. The platform was decked with flowers and plants provided by Mr E. Booker, in the rear being the large banner of the Court Duke of Cambridge, 2,448, in the body of the hall being banners of Court Justman Shepherd, and Chiswick and District Juvenile Foresters’ Society. A large number of friends and Juvenile Foresters were admitted to the concert, and this caused a short stoppage in the carrying out of the programme.
Mr Wilson, of Cleveland Street, served up a satisfactory repast, the names of Generals and places in South Africa being used in the arrangement of the menu.
The first toast, “The King and Royal Family”, was submitted by the Chairman, and loyally received, the National Anthem being sung.
The Vice-Chairman proposed the toast, “The Navy, Army, and Reserve Forces”, and said they owed a debt of gratitude to those men who had been to South Africa, and they should give them their sympathy and support, and welcome those who came back amongst them.
In the absence of Dr F.R. Mallard, Mr Bunn responded, and said they were proud of the men who went to the front when they were wanted. (Applause).
The Chairman, in proposing the toast of the evening, “Our Guests”, said they were met together that evening on a very interesting occasion. Members of eight of the Hammersmith Courts of the Ancient Order of Foresters and one Chiswick Court had gathered at the Town Hall for the purpose of doing honour to some of their number who had gone out to fight their battles in South Africa. He was sorry that there were not more present. Unfortunately it was owing to the fact that there were more Foresters still at the front, who could not receive their applause. They were glad to welcome two of them back, Private ELDRIDGE, of the 19th Yorkshire (Princess of Wales’s) Regiment, and Private WADDELL, of the Second South Middlesex Volunteers. To his mind, there was something peculiarly fitting that Foresters should go to the front. He recollected a story of Lord Kitchener. When going up the Mediterranean on a P. and O. boat some officer said to him, “Well, Kitchener, I see you’re going to serve under Lord Roberts”. Lord Kitchener replied that he had such respect for Lord Roberts that he would be glad to black his boots. That was the same kind of feeling that he (the Chairman) had towards the men who had been serving in South Africa. He was delighted to think that so many men in Hammersmith had gone to the front. They had already had a banquet to the C.I.V.’s and members of other forces. It was with especial pleasure that he welcomed home these two men, who had been fighting their battles. He was directed on behalf of the Ancient Order of Foresters to give each of them a badge of ribbon, which had been subscribed for from the funds. Each badge was inscribed with some honoured words – “Presented for services in South Africa”. He felt that as long as their families were in existence these badges would be appreciated by them, because they were given in appreciation of work well done. Mr Bull then, on behalf of members of the local Courts, presented badges and purses, each containing £2 10s to Privates ELDRIDGE and WADDELL. (Applause). Having shaken hands with both of them, Mr Bull said there were two other brothers in South Africa who would receive similar presentations on their return, which he hoped and trusted would be soon. (Applause).
The toast was enthusiastically received, musical honours being accorded.
Private ELDRIDGE, who belongs to Court Lord Nelson, 3,130, in reply, said he wished to thank his brother Foresters one and all for their kindness to him while at the front, and also since he had been at home. (Applause).
ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS.
DINNER TO BRETHREN RETURNED FROM THE FRONT.
The members of the Court Lord Nelson of the Ancient Order of Foresters celebrated the safe return of their brothers from South Africa by a dinner and concert, given in the Court house at the “Jolly Gardeners”, Hammersmith Road, last (Thursday) evening. The Mayor of Hammersmith, Mr T. Chamberlen, was the Chairman, Mr W. Mason-Stiles being in the vice-chair. …….
The Chairman, in proposing the next toast, said they were there to welcome back their friends from the front, and he was sure that they were all very pleased to see them safe and sound. He was sure that they went out with the intention of doing their duty, and it was only due to them that they should be greeted on their return. If they were wanted again, he knew they would volunteer at once. (Applause). They had heard a great deal about the miseries of war, but only those who had been through it knew what it was. He coupled with the toast the names of Brothers ILOTT and ELDRIDGE, who, he trusted, they would see in that room many more times. (Applause). He had great pleasure in presenting Bro. ILOTT with a purse, containing over £4, and a Foresters’ ribbon, inscribed: “Presented for service in South Africa”. (Applause).
