Medals and awards

Insch

County: Aberdeenshire
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 09/05/1901
Number issued: 4

 

Gold alberts & medals, to:

Volunteer Active Service Company, Gordon Highlanders [4th V.B.G.H.] –
54 Corporal [Sergeant] Thomas GRANT
47 Private William BENNETT [Bennet] (died, Johannesburg, 09/06/1900 - did his family receive a medal?)
8267 Private James ROBERTSON
60 Private Robert SCOTT (invalided)
 
Presentation made by Provost Dawson, in the Public Hall, Insch.
 
The medals were "prettily designed with two crossed guns on either side, and on the centre, enamelled in red, 'South African War, 1899-01', while at the top and bottom is a blue enamelled band with the words '4th Volunteer Battalion Gordon Highlanders' ".

 

 

 
 
______________________________________
 
 
 
Motherwell Times, 3rd August 1900
 

DEATHS.

BENNETT. – At Johannesburg, June 9th, of enteric fever, William Bennett, Volunteer Private, Gordon Highlanders, youngest son of John Bennett, Murrial, Insch, Aberdeenshire. – R.I.P.
 
 
Aberdeen Press & Journal, 6th May 1901
 

RECEPTION TO INSCH VOLUNTEERS.

Arrangements have been made to give an adequate reception at Insch to the members of the 1st Volunteers Service Company who have returned from the front, namely, Sergeant (formerly Lance-Corporal) GRANT, Private ROBERTSON, and Private SCOTT. They are to spend a few days in Aberdeen with their friends, and on Thursday the town is to show its appreciation of their loyalty and devotion. The men are to be met at Insch Railway Station on the arrival of the train from Aberdeen due at 4.41 by the local volunteers, under the command of Major F.W.G. Dawson, who will accompany them to the Parish Church, where a short religious service will be held at about 5 o’clock. Then, at seven o’clock, under the auspices of the Town Council and volunteers, a conversazione will be held, at which Major Dawson will preside in his capacity of provost. In the course of the evening the returned heroes will each be presented with a gold medal, in recognition of their services, and a dance will conclude the proceedings. It may be added that the volunteers have in view to erect a brass tablet in the Drill Hall, Insch, in memory of their comrade, Private BENNET, described as one of the best fellows in the company, who died of enteric fever at Johannesburg.
 
 
Aberdeen People's Journal, 11th May 1901
 

INSCH.

WELCOMING THE SERVICE VOLUNTEERS.

Great demonstration of rejoicing took place on Thursday in connection with the arrival at Insch of the local volunteers returning from South Africa. A grand reception to welcome them was held under the auspices of the Insch Town Council for the local volunteer corps. The returned warriors are: – Sergeant Thomas GRANT, Rhynie (who since he left has been promoted from lance-corporal); Private James ROBERTSON, Oldtown, Kennethmont; and Private Robert SCOTT, Holywell, Kennethmont (who was invalided home some time ago). The fourth, Private William BENNET, Murrail, succumbed to enteric fever at Johannesburg last year, and the volunteers resolved to erect in the Drill Hall a brass tablet to his memory. By request of Provost Dawson the places of business were closed on Thursday afternoon, and a profuse display of flags and bunting decorated the burgh. On arrival from Aberdeen by the 4.41 train the men were met at the station by the volunteers in uniform and others. A procession of volunteers and the public was then made to the Parish Church, where the chaplain of the corps, Rev. John Mack, B.D., conducted a thanksgiving service. In the evening a conversazione was held in the Public Hall, presided over by Provost Dawson, who is Major commanding the local company, supported by the officers and others. In the presence of a brilliant assemblage the Chairman made an interesting presentation to the returned heroes, each of whom received a gold albert and a gold medal. The medals were prettily designed with two cross guns on either side, and on the centre enamelled in red “South African War. 1900-01”, while at the top and bottom is a blue enamelled band with the words “4th Volunteer Battalion Gordon Highlanders”. The entertainment concluded with a dance.
 
 
Banffshire Journal, 14th May 1901
 

INSCH.

HOMECOMING OF VOLUNTEERS.

Great rejoicings took place in the village on Thursday in connection with the return from the front of the three volunteers belonging to C Company (Insch), who arrived with the First Service Company at Aberdeen on the previous Saturday.

The men, viz. – Sergt. Tom GRANT and Privates ROBERTSON and SCOTT, arrived with the 4.41 p.m. train from Aberdeen, and were met at the station by the members of C Company under the command of Major Dawson, and marched to the Parish Church, where a short service was conducted by Rev. John Mack, chaplain to the company.

In the evening the men were entertained in the Public Hall to a conversazione and dance. Major Dawson presided, and there was a large attendance.

After tea, which was served at tables beautifully laid out and presided over by ladies residing in the village and district, the following programme was gone through: – Scotch selection, band; solo, “Ask something more”, Lieutenant Leith-Hay; solo, “Men of Harlech”, Miss Bruce, Inschfield; solo, “Heather Hills”, Mr T. Reid, Old Rain; solo, “Mona”, Mrs McLean; solo, “The lads that wear the tartan”, Miss Dunn, Oyne; solo, “Scots wha hae”, Provost Wallace, Rothney; solo, “The boys are marching”, Miss Nellie Shand, Rothney; solo, “The deathless army”, Lance-Corporal Saunders. Miss Butchart tastefully played the accompaniments.

During the evening the three men were each presented with a solid gold albert and appendage, subscribed for by the volunteers and friends. One side of the appendage bears the words – “South African War, 1900-1901, and 4th V.B. Gordon Highlanders”; the other side bears the name of the volunteer, the name of the company, and by whom subscribed. Major Dawson, in making the presentations, said when they met over a year ago to give a send-off to their volunteers who were going to the front, none of then dreamt that they would have the endurance to undergo so many hardships, for no one thought they would have to go through so much as they did. As to their fighting qualities, there was no doubt they had done their duty nobly. (Applause). Whilst thus rejoicing, they could not forget that one of their comrades was sleeping his last sleep under the South African sun. Private William BENNET was a true and brave soldier, beloved of his officers and comrades, and in his death their sympathy went out to his sorrowing relatives. To mark their respect for his memory, his comrades had decided to erect a suitable tablet in the hall. He asked the men to accept the presents as a small memento of their experience in fighting for their King and country.

Sergeant GRANT, in reply, said he could not thank them sufficiently on behalf of himself and his comrades for the hearty welcome and handsome presents given them. At one time, when on half rations, they wished they were home, but now they did not regret having been at the front. (Applause).

The hall was then cleared for dancing. Excellent music was supplied by Mr Stavert’s band from Aberdeen. Lance-Sergeants Butchart and Murray, Lance-Corporal Saunders, and Private G.A. Bruce acted as M.C’s.
 
 
 
 
INSCH Aberdeen Press and Journal 6 May 1901 a
 
Aberdeen Press & Journal, 6th May 1901
Returning volunteers, excluding Pte Scott (invalided), and Pte Bennett (died)
 
 
 
 
Details
Parent Category: Tribute medals
Category: I
Hits: 528