County: Linlithgowshire (West Lothian)
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 18/06/1901
Number issued: 2 or 3
Gold medals, suitably inscribed, to:
8097 Private Hugh CRAWFORD
9255 Trooper Benjamin Meikle BRAES (absent)
Presentation made at the Star and Garter Hotel over breakfast during Linlithgow's annual gala ("Marches Day").
"On the face of the medal was a representation of the burgh seal, 'Sigullum Commune Burgi de Linlithgow', with the heraldic device of the dog, tree and lake, and the motto 'My fruit is fidelity to God and the King'. On the reverse side of the medal was the inscription 'Paritur pax bello. Presented to [Private H. Crawford, A Company, 8th Volunteer Battalion the Royal Scots], by the Burgh of Linlithgow. South African War. 1899-1901'" (West Lothian Courier, 21/06/1901).
Supplied by Messrs Currer & Son, watchmakers & jewellers, Linlithgow.
Trooper Braes
FINAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE MARCHES.
RIDING OF LINLITHGOW MARCHES.
Yesterday the ancient custom of riding the town’s Marches was observed in Linlithgow, and the various ceremonies in connection therewith were carried through with the customary spirit and enthusiasm, and under most favourable weather auspices, bright sunshine prevailing throughout the entire day. …….
PRESENTATION TO ACTIVE SERVICE VOLUNTEERS.
At the conclusion of the breakfast, Provost GILMOUR, addressing the Volunteers, said – Brother Volunteers, – As loyal Volunteers and subjects, you were called upon eighteen months ago when Volunteers were wanted for the front to assist in fighting the battles of the Empire, and you responded, and responded heartily, when the number of Volunteers in the country is taken into consideration. (Applause). You in West Lothian were a very small section compared with other places, and not fewer than thirteen answered the call. (Applause). It showed your patriotism, brother Volunteers, to offer in this spontaneous way to go out to a distant land to fight for the honour of the British Empire, to go and assist in the struggle for liberty, equality, and independence, which is our desire to see given to the Briton there as well as to the Boer. (Applause). You have discharged your duties, and I am happy to see some of you home here today, not incapacitated from wounds or minus limbs, and able to return to your civilian duties none the worse, and it is to be hoped, the better from your experiences. (Applause). At the time you left, we of Linlithgow, which is the county town as well as a royal burgh, conferred upon you the highest honour in our power by enrolling your names in our book of fame – by conferring the freedom of the burgh upon you. (Applause). We had a double right to do that, independent of our burgh being the county town. I remember in 1859, when the Volunteer force was formed in Great Britain, the county gentlemen assembled more than once to form Volunteer companies in their districts. They failed, however, but Linlithgow, with its old traditions for loyalty and valour, came to the front and raised the first company in the county. (Applause). We succeeded in our work in this respect, and I am glad to say I am one of those who assisted in the formation of the first company in the county. (Applause). Bo’ness followed, and then Bathgate, till now there not less than seven or eight companies in the county. (Applause). Since you came home the Town Council of Linlithgow have been considering in what manner they could do honour to you, and after deliberation they came to the conclusion that the best thing they could do, instead of giving a smoking concert or a supper, would be to invite you to ride the town’s Marches with them – (applause) – that old and honoured custom which has been observed for upwards of 500 years. The record of the town’s books stands at about 1400, but is origin is lost in the mists of the ages. (Laughter and applause). I hope you will enjoy the Riding of the Marches. With regard to the Two Volunteers who went to the front, and who belonged to the burgh, the Town Council agreed to confer on them a gold medal. (Applause). I understand some other localities have conferred medals and we decided to follow that example. (Applause). The medals are for Private Hugh CRAWFORD and Trooper Benjamin BRAES, of the Fife Light Horse. (Applause).
The Town Clerk described the medals. On the face of the medal was a representation of the burgh seal, “Sigullum Commune Burgi de Linlithgow”, with the heraldic device of the dog, tree, and lake, and the motto, “My fruit is fidelity to God and the King”. On the reverse side of the medal was the inscription – “Paritur pax bello. Presented to Private H. Crawford, A Company, 8th Volunteer Battalion the Royal Scots, by the Burgh of Linlithgow. South African War. 1899-1901”.
Provost Gilmour (addressing Private CRAWFORD) said – I have great pleasure, in representing the Magistrates, Town Council, and citizens of the royal burgh of Linlithgow, in presenting you with this gold medal as a mark of respect and esteem for your patriotism in responding to your country’s call, and for your bravery and courage in fighting the enemies of our Sovereign. (Applause). I hope you will long wear the medal with honour. (Applause). I am sorry to say that Trooper BRAES is unable to be present through indisposition. We would have been delighted to have had him with us on this interesting occasion, but in the circumstances, we can do nothing more than direct that the medal be forwarded to him with the best wishes of all present. (Applause).
