County: Ayrshire
Issued on: Departure
Date of presentation: 29/01/1900
Number issued: 10
Gold medals, suitably inscribed, to:
Volunteer Active Service Company, Royal Scots Fusiliers ["B" Company, 1st V.B.R.S.F.] –
7542 Private John HOWIE (did not sail for S. Africa)
7552 Private D. LINDSAY
7549 Private J. LOWE
7558 Private [Piper] J. McCAIRNS [McCairn]
7561 Private Alexander NAIRN
7567 Private William STEVENSON
7575 Private T. WHITESIDE
17th (Ayrshire) Company, 6th Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –
1487 Corporal James SEATON
1498 Lance-Corporal [Corporal] James WILSON (probably)
1513 Trooper David HIGHET
Presentation made by Mrs Murchland in the Town Hall, Irvine.
The medals bore the burgh coat of arms.
Piper McCairns also received a gold appendage from the League of the Cross Society, Irvine.
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Glasgow Herald, 30th January 1900
The ten Volunteers from the Irvine district who have been accepted for active service were accorded a public send-off last night. A meeting was held in the Town Hall, which was largely attended, the hall being packed to its utmost capacity. Provost Murchland presided, and was accompanied by the Town Council, Colonel Browne, Ayr, Major T.R. Stuart, Major Mackenzie Stewart, &c. The men, seven of the B Company 1st V.B. Royal Scots Fusiliers, and three of the Ayrshire contingent of the Imperial Yeomanry, as follows: – Corporal SEATON, Corporal WILSON, Trooper HIGHET, Piper McCAIRN, Privates LINDSAY, WHITESIDE, NAIRN, STEVENSON, LOWE, and HOWIE. The Chairman having delivered an address, presents were presented. From the Corporation the men received each a gold medal with suitable inscription and Bibles, while a pound of tobacco each was presented by Mrs Murchland, and wire clippers by Mr James Dickie, Town Clerk. After the medals were pinned on the breasts of the men by Mrs Murchland, Corporal SEATON, on behalf of his comrades, returned thanks for the honour done them, and Colonel Browne, of Royal Scots Fusiliers at Ayr, also acknowledged the kindness of the burgh of Irvine. After votes of thanks, cheers were given for Major-General Sir A. Hunter. The Volunteers for the front were accompanied ceremoniously to the station by the Town Council, B Company, 1st V.B.R.S.F., and No. 2 Garrison, 1st A. and G. Volunteer Artillery, and large crowds assembled, and gave the men a most hearty and enthusiastic send-off.
North British Daily Mail, 30th January 1900
ENTHUSIASTIC SEND-OFF AT IRVINE.
Great enthusiasm was displayed last night by the public of Irvine at the send-off function in connection with the Volunteers who are going to the front. In the Town Hall, in the presence of a packed audience, the seven men of B Company 1st V.B. Royal Scots Fusiliers, together with three men from the local troop of Ayrshire Yeomanry, were the recipients of a number of presents. In the course of a speech Provost Murchland, who was accompanied to the platform by Colonel Browne, intimated that the Council had agreed to inscribe the men’s names in the minutes of the Royal Burgh. Mrs Murchland afterwards presented each man with a handsome gold medal bearing the burgh coat of arms; also a Bible from the burgh, a pound of tobacco from herself, and a pair of wire nippers from Mr James Dickie, town clerk. The Provost afterwards addressed a few words to the men, and wished them God-speed. The audience responded with the singing of “The Soldiers of the Queen”. Thereafter the men, accompanied by the two Volunteer corps, marched to the Drill Hall, and after a refreshment to the station. Two bands headed the procession, and hundreds lined the street and cheered lustily till the train steamed from the station.
Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald, 19th January 1900
