County: Carmarthenshire
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 26/07/1901
Number issued: 1
Gold double albert & pendant, to:
Presentation made by Mrs Thomas, on behalf of members of the National Union of Teachers, in the Market Street Schools, Llanelly.
Inscribed: "Presented to Corpl. T.B. Phillips, on his return from the South African Campaign, by the Teachers of the Llanelly District, July 26th, 1901".
Supplied by Mr W.J. Thomas, jeweller, 6 Park Street, Llanelly.
HOME FROM THE FRONT.
PRESENTATION TO CORPORAL T.B. PHILLIPS.
THE TEACHING FRATERNITY RECOGNISE HIS SERVICES.
On Friday evening an interesting presentation meeting was held at the Market Street Schools, when the members of the N.U.T. and some friends assembled to show their recognition of the services rendered by one of their fraternity, Mr T.B. PHILLIPS, as one of the volunteers who answered the country’s call and proceeded to the front when matters looked none too rosy for the British in the Transvaal. Mr G.J. Harries, president of the local branch of the N.U.T., took the chair, and among those present were: Mrs Thomas, Mrs Alice Phillips, J.A. Williams, Messrs R.J. Edmunds, W.R. Redman, E. Cole, B. Ellis, Miss Jones, Miss Davies (Lakefield). Letters of apology had been received from Messrs E.T. Jones, W.B. Jones, and T. Williams (Temple).
The chairman remarked that the present occasion was an unique one in their history as a local branch of the N.U.T. Every presentation that had hitherto been made was to outsiders, but they were there that night to honour one of themselves who had volunteered for active service in South Africa. There was no need for him to recall the incidents that led up to the calling out of the volunteers. Those who knew Mr PHILLIPS were not surprised that he offered his services. He was always fond of adventure and had an hankering for seeing a bit of the world. He had made applications for schools situate at Hong-Kong, Cairo, and other places. They would agree with him that he had seen and accomplished as much for his country in South Africa as he would have done if he had gone to those places. He was very pleased to see him back amongst them, and congratulated him that he had managed to escape the Boer shot and shell, and also that very much dreaded enteric fever (applause).
Mr B. Ellis (Felinfoel), extended his congratulations to Mr PHILLIPS on his return, and alluded to the dark days the country experienced at the end of 1899. As a teaching fraternity they had to fight with ignorant Boers at Llanelly, but their friend had fought against the other Boers. He (the speaker) did not know which was the hardest task, but Mr PHILLIPS through his experience could inform them (laughter). When Mr PHILLIPS left they had wished him “God speed and a safe return” and all their best wishes had been realised (applause).
Mr R.J. Edmunds (Old Road) expressed his delight at seeing Mr PHILLIPS amongst them again, and Mr E. Cole (Llwynhendy) spoke in the same strain.
Mr J.A. Williams said that it was his respect and esteem for Mr PHILLIPS that had brought him there that night. He felt it was his duty as a member of the School Board and a patriot, to be present to extend to Mr PHILLIPS a welcome. The first one who was allowed to see him after his recent illness was Mr PHILLIPS (hear, hear). Speaking of adventures Mr Williams remarked that it was those persons who had the spirit of adventure [who] had been the pioneers of the Empire.
Mr W.D. Smith and Mr Harry Brown also spoke, the latter, as usual, delivering a very humorous speech.
Mrs Thomas then stepped forward and in a neat speech presented Mr PHILLIPS with a handsome double gold albert and pendant, bearing the inscription “Presented to Corpl. T.B. Phillips, on his return from the South African Campaign, by the Teachers of the Llanelly District, July 26th, 1901”. The albert and pendant was supplied by Mr W.J. Thomas, jeweller, 6 Park Street, Llanelly.
