County: County Durham
Issued on: Return
Dates of presentations: 11/06/1901, 18/09/1902
Number issued: 8
Gold watches and gold medals, suitably inscribed, to:
11/06/1901 presentation
55th (Northumberland) Company, 14th Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –
10078 Trooper John James Storey WHITFIELD
St John Ambulance Brigade (Portland Hospital) –
Private Ernest WILSON
Presentation made by Captain Chapman, in the National School, Low Fell.
18/09/1902 presentation
15th (Northumberland) company, 5th Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –
29485 Trooper Joseph AVERY
30850 Trooper Edward CRONE
100th (Northumberland) Company, 5th Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –
29741 Trooper Benjamin TANSLEY
101st (Northumberland) Company, 5th Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –
29672 Trooper Henry Harley PITT (absent - remained in S. Africa; medal to be forwarded to him)
Imperial Yeomanry (unknown company) –
????? Trooper W. JOHNSON (absent - in S. Africa; possibly 42719 Tpr William John Johnson, 36th Bn. I.Y.)
Presentation made by Alderman William Clough (of Gateshead), in the National Schools, Beaconsfield Road, Low Fell.
"A portion of this sum [£21] has been set aside to form a nucleus for similar presentations to the other six volunteers from Low Fell at present in South Africa" (Durham County Advertiser, 14/06/1901). As two men had returned by 14/06/1901, this suggests a total of eight men were to receive medals & watches. However, a 1903 report states that, in all, twelve men went from Low Fell and that, of these, five died in South Africa, leaving a total of seven survivors. This tallies with the above list of recipients.
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Durham County Advertiser, 14th June 1901
PRESENTATION TO LOW FELL VOLUNTEERS.
On Tuesday evening, Mr J.S. WHITFIELD, of the C Company Imperial Yeomanry, and Mr Ernest WILSON, a member of the local branch of the St John Ambulance Association, were presented each with a gold watch and a gold medallion, suitably inscribed, as a mark of appreciation of their services in South Africa, from the people of Low Fell. The interesting proceedings took place in the National School, which was crowded by an enthusiastic audience. Dr Davis occupied the chair, and he was supported by Captain Chapman, Mr F. Connell (honorary secretary of the presentation committee), Mr F. Dixon (honorary treasurer), Mr S. Forster, Mr J. Robson, Mr H. Robson, Mr J. Halliday, Mr T. Worley, Mr R. Gardner, Mr J. Russell, Mr A. Connell, the Rev. A.H. Patterson, the Rev. J. Mitchell, the Rev. J. Green, the Rev. E.O. Williams, and others.
Capt. Chapman made the presentation in an eloquent speech, and the two volunteers suitably replied.
Selections were contributed by the band of the 5th Volunteer Battalion Durham Light Infantry, under Mr E.R. Corbett, and songs by Mr Slavin and Mr Patterson. The committee who organised the presentation collected £21. A portion of this sum has been set aside to form a nucleus for similar presentations to other six volunteers from Low Fell at present in South Africa.
Newcastle Daily Journal, 19th September 1902
PRESENTATION TO LOW FELL YEOMEN.
Last evening, at the National School, Low Fell, Troopers CRONE, AVERY, TANSLEY, and JOHNSON, who recently returned from South Africa, where they had served in a local contingent of the Imperial Yeomanry, were each presented with a gold watch and medal to commemorate their services to the country. Eighteen months ago, a similar presentation was made to the other two Low Fell volunteers from the same fund, and a medal has also been sent to Trooper PITT, another local yeoman, who has decided to remain in South Africa. Mr James Russell occupied the chair, and amongst those present were Ald. Clough, Mr Frank Dixon, hon. treasurer of the committee, Mr Frank Connell, hon. secretary, and others. Ald. Clough made the presentation. During the evening an excellent entertainment was given by the band of the 5th V.B.D.L.I., under Mr E.R. Corbett, Mr Starkey (banjoist), Mr Frank Connell (vocalist), and Mons. Electricity (conjurer). A tablet to perpetuate the memory of five volunteers from Low Fell who died during the war is also to be placed in some prominent position in the village.
Newcastle Evening Chronicle, 19th September 1902
At Low fell, last night, Troopers E. CRONE, J. AVERY, and B. TANSLEY, of the Imperial Yeomanry, were made the recipients of gold watches and gold medals, subscribed for by the public of the district in recognition of their services at the front. Mr James Russell presided, and the presentation was made by Ald. Wm. Clough.
Shields Daily News, 20th September 1902
PRESENTATIONS AT GATESHEAD.
On Thursday, at the National Schools, Beaconsfield Road, Low Fell, the second batch of local Yeomen who have returned from the “front” were publicly presented with gold watches and medals, which had been subscribed for locally. Mr James Russell presided, and the presentation was made by Alderman William Clough, Gateshead. Three of the recipients were present – Troopers E. CRONE, B. TANSLEY, and J. AVERY – while a fourth, W. JOHNSON, who was unable to come home, will receive his gifts on arrival. A gold medal is to be sent to Trooper H. PITT, who has elected to remain in South Africa. The band of the 5th V.B.D.L.I. was present and rendered selections, under the leadership of Mr E.R. Corbett, and a programme of songs, &c., was also gone through.
Durham Chronicle, 30th October 1903
Low Fell War Memorial.
On Saturday afternoon, the memorial erected at Low Fell to perpetuate the memory of five men who died in South Africa during the late war was unveiled by Colonel J.B. Cookson, C.B., commanding the Northumberland Hussars Imperial Yeomanry. During the Boer war twelve Low Fell men volunteered and were accepted for active service. Six of the twelve men returned home safely, one remained in South Africa, and the other five died there. The unfortunate men were Sergeant W. CRONE, and Troopers A. DODD, W.B.S. LEATHART, F. ENGLISH, and A. WILLIAMSON. The monument, which occupies a very prominent site in the village, is an imposing structure, and can be seen a great distance away from the direction of Gateshead and Durham. The stone was supplied by Messrs Boiston, Heworth Burn Quarries, the entire work being carried out by Messrs Morrison and McBean, monumental sculptors, Gateshead. The stone pedestal weighs six tons, and forms a solid rest for the figure representing a yeoman in uniform. The inscription reads: “To the memory of Sergeant W. Crone, and Troopers A. Dodd, W.B.S. Leathart, F. English, and A. Williamson, who fell during the South African campaign, 1899-1902. Faithful unto death. Erected by the inhabitants of Low Fell, 1903. The above mentioned were all of the Imperial Yeomanry”.
