Medals and awards

LLANFAIR.

RETURN OF THE VOLUNTEERS.

In glorious weather on Friday week Colour-Sergeant ASTLEY, Corporal D. JONES, accompanied by Queen’s Corporal W. JONES and Private W. WILLIAMS (Reservists), returned home, after a stay of 16 months in South Africa. A company of cyclists, 40 in number, travelled as far as Cyfronydd to meet the gallant fellows, and escorted them to the town, where by the County School, the townspeople had assembled to give a fitting welcome to the men who had brought such honour to “Shining Llanfair”.

The Rev. W. Jones, as vicar, and Mr Alford Jehu, as chairman of the Parish Council, formally welcomed the men on their return, and gave expression to the profound pleasure it gave one and all to see them safe home again.

Sergeant ASTLEY returned thanks, and said how grateful both he and his companions were for the magnificent reception accorded them.

A long procession, including, besides the general public, the local detachment of Volunteers, under Surgeon-Captain Humphreys, was then formed, which, headed by the Cyclist Corps, and the Llanfair Brass Band, paraded the whole of the town, which was capitally decorated with flags and streamers. A halt was finally made at Sergeant Astley’s home, where deafening cheers were given again and again for the Llanfair Volunteers.

At 6 o’clock Surgeon-Captain Humphreys presided at a public dinner at the Wynnstay to which about 100 sat down. By the chairman were the four active service men, Colour-Sergeant Astley and Corporal D. Jones (Dandy Fifth), Queen’s Corporal W. Jones (South Lancashire Regiment) and Private W. Williams (1st Welsh Regiment), the Rev. S. Reed, the Rev. W. Jones, Messrs T. Watkin, J.P., C.A. Teape, C.S. Teape, R. Humphreys, C.W. Humphreys, W. Story, W. Lloyd-Pierce, J.B. Jones and Tom Jones.

In proposing the toast of “The King, Queen and Royal Family”, the Chairman referred to the providential escape of the King while on Sir T. Lipton’s yacht and to the nation’s thankfulness. He also expressed the hope that in the interests of the Principality, the Duke of York would be created Prince of Wales on his return from Australia.

The “Army and Navy” was proposed by Mr R. Humphreys, who made reference to the army’s excellent work in South Africa.

Mr Tom Jones responded to the toast in a characteristic speech.

Mr T. Watkin proposed “The Bishops and Clergy”, and called attention to the fact that ministers of every denomination have a hard battle to fight, and that they need all the help and sympathy we can give.

The Rev. W. Jones (vicar) responded, and thanked Mr Watkin very heartily for his kind words. The greatest enemy men of his profession had to contend with was the cynical critic who was ever fault-finding, and never able to see good in their ministrations.

The Rev. S. Reed also responded, and said how glad he was to see the gallant Llanfair men home once more. Their home-coming was the more noticeable because they had so bravely and well done their duty.

The toast of the evening, “The health of the Returners”, was proposed by the Chairman, who spoke in fittingly glowing terms of the excellent work done by the 5th V.B. The two local Volunteers had returned with reproachless characters, the two reservists as well had been equally gallant. As Surgeon-Captain in the 5th V.B. he naturally felt more than ordinarily delighted at the success of the men before him, and he trusted that the young men of Llanfair would take the keenest interest in the Volunteer movement in the future. It gave him great pleasure to present to each of the four active service men, a gold pendant medal, the gift of Llanfair townspeople, who had contributed handsomely and willingly towards so worthy an object.

The medals, which were supplied by Mr A. Lloyd, Bridge Street, bear the following inscription: – Obverse: “SA, 1901. Presented to ________ 5th V.B., S.W.B.”  Reverse: “Llanfair’s tribute to valour”.

Sergeant ASTLEY, in reply, thanked very heartily one and all for the magnificent reception, and for the medals which were highly appreciated. Although they had been well received elsewhere, it was the Llanfair reception they had most looked forward to, and they were certainly not disappointed. The Sergeant went on to give a graphic account of the war, and of the pluck and endurance of the men of the Dandy Fifth. He gave a special word of praise to Bugler CLAYTON. In his opinion, General Buller had been a most able soldier. Whatever others might think, the brunt of the war fell upon the shoulders of the hard-working “Tommy Atkins”.

Queen’s Corporal W. JONES also made an interesting speech, telling of his adventures at Spion Kop and other places. He had been badly wounded and a bullet was still left in his arm. One taken from his leg, he wore on his watch chain. He quite agreed with Sergeant Astley that “Tommy” had borne the burden and heat of the fight. He was naturally proud of his stripes of which no one could deprive him.

Corporal D. JONES and Private W. WILLIAMS also responded in Welsh, and gave equally interesting accounts of their experiences.

A vote of thanks to the chairman was heartily given, and the hostess (Mrs Hughes) was also thanked for the dinner provided. The room and tables had been tastefully decorated for the occasion.

During the evening songs were sung by Sergeant Astley, Messrs T. Roberts, T. Owen, and J.G. Griffiths.