County: Glamorganshire
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: unknown
Number issued: ?
Gold-centred silver pendants, to:
As of March 2024, no record of this presentation has been found.
Private Thomas example offered on eBay, 03/03/2024, with starting price of £1,750; UNSOLD.
SMOKING CONCERT AT HOPKINSTOWN. [Hopkinstown is 1 mile east of Hafod]
A well-attended smoking concert was given on Saturday evening last, to welcome home Pte. Richard THOMAS, Hopkinstown, of the 1st Battalion Royal Scots Regiment, who was called out with the Reserves for active service in South Africa, returning home about a fortnight ago. The utmost patriotism was shown throughout the proceedings, which were presided over by Lieut. Rhys Griffiths, supported by Mr Vaillant, Great Western Colliery.
The concert opened with a selection by the Great Western Silver Band under the leadership of Mr Foxhall, and the following excellent programme was rendered: —
Songs, Messrs Rowland James, T. Howells, Fred Horton, Wm. Henry Ford, duets by Messrs Ed. Palmer and J. Rimron (LIew Hafod), R. Collins, and Wm. Jones, duet on piccolo and melodeon, by Messrs D. Ashton and H. Haynes; recitation, William James, “British Soldiers are the Bravest and Best”, one of the verses being specially written in honour of Private Thomas. The Hopkinstown Male Voice Party under the baton of Mr Evan Howells (Alaw Cynon), rendered with good style and precision “Comrades in Arms”. Euphonium solo, Mr Foxhall.
Mr Rhys Griffiths in welcoming Private R. Thomas home again, referred to his having been a member of a Scotch Regiment, but it mattered little whether in English, Welsh, Irish or Scotch, all fought shoulder to shoulder. He considered in Hector Macdonald and Ian Hamilton they had two of the finest Generals in the universe. Private Thomas had nobly done his duty, and he was proud to see so many of his fellow townsmen present to congratulate him on his safe return. He called upon Mr Vaillant – who was related to the great admiral of that name in the British Navy – to say a few words.
Mr Vaillant said it afforded him great pleasure to accede to the request, he was not a stranger, mixing amongst them as he did in daily toil. He was glad to be with them that night as comrades in arms, to extend a welcome to Private Thomas. (Hear. hear). He called attention to the Boers having forced the Transvaal war upon us, and we were bound to take the challenge up, we had shown the foreigners that we could defy all comers. (Hear. hear).
Mr Padstow, whose Military bearing called forth loud cheers, said he could claim to be an old Volunteer, having joined the service on October 26th, 185[?], and had never left the ranks until serven years ago. For many years it cost him £100 per annum to keep up his position, no grant whatever being made by the Government. He did not hold with Hector Macdonald’s views as to the Voluntary system; he was anxious to see it maintained. General Macdonald had risen from the ranks with profit to himself and honour to country, but he had lived a good deal abroad and did not know the voice of the people at home. What was required was that all should volunteer. He wished to add his testimony to the general feeling of pleasure that Private Thomas had been spared to return home again.
