County: Cumberland
Issued on: Return
Dates of presentations: 10/01/1901, bef. 13/02/1901
Number issued: 2
10/01/1901 presentation
794 Trooper E.J. MARTIN
bef. 13/02/1901 presentation
3855 Bugler [Corporal] Ralph BAYLIFF (wounded, Faber's Put, 30/05/1900)
Forwarded to him by post.
Reverse: "Presented to Trooper E. Martin, B.M.I., by the non-commissioned officers and gunners of the No. 3 Company, 1st C.V.A., on his return from South Africa".
Supplied by Messrs J. Dowell and Co.
HONOURING A HERO.
INTERESTING PRESENTATION AT MARYPORT.
On Thursday night Trooper E.J. MARTIN of Bethune’s Mounted Infantry, was the recipient of a handsome gold medal, subscribed for by the non-commissioned officers and gunners of No. 3 Company, 1st C.V.A., of which he was formerly a member. The presentation took place at the Golden Lion Hotel, Maryport, where the non-commissioned officers entertained the gunners to a capital supper, which Mr T. Milburn served up in excellent style. Upon the removal of the cloth, Company Sergt.-Major Murray took the chair and opened the proceedings with the toast of “The Queen”. Songs followed from Corpl. Minshaw and Bom. Greenwood.
The Chairman said they had gathered together to do honour in a small way to an old member of the battery – (applause) – who by taking a prominent part in the war in South Africa had he thought added prestige to the No. 3 Company particularly. (Loud applause). Some twelve months ago when President Kruger appeared like carrying out his threat to sweep the English into the sea, the English colonies promptly offered assistance, and among the first to volunteer in Australia was their old comrade MARTIN. (Hear, hear, and applause). Unfortunately, like many good men, he failed to get into that contingent. However, he was not to be denied; for he paid his passage out to South Africa, and eventually became a member of Bethune’s Mounted Infantry and served right through the Natal campaign under General Buller. (Applause). He managed to escape the Mauser bullets and pom-poms, but eventually was caught by one of the many diseases which prevailed and was invalided home to England. He came to Maryport as quietly as he went away. He was one of the best looking invalids he had ever seen. (Laughter). He had decided to go out to South Africa again to join Baden-Powell’s police force. (Hear, hear and applause). Therefore, seeing that he was an old member of the battery, and had received his military training as a member of the corps, they could not allow him to go away without doing something to show their appreciation of his valour. (Applause). Therefore, he had great pleasure on behalf of the non-commissioned officers and gunners in presenting Trooper MARTIN with that handsome gold medal and wished him every success on his return to South Africa. (Applause).
Trooper MARTIN (who was received with loud and continued applause) said it gave him great pleasure to receive the medal. He never dreamt that they would treat him so handsomely though he was not convinced they would appreciate the little part he took in the war. (Applause). What he learned with the No. 3 Company had proved to be of great service to him in South Africa, and he felt that if the members of the corps had had the same opportunities as he had they would have done the same. (Applause). He again thanked them heartily for the medal and would treasure it equally as well as his war medal when he got it. (Loud applause).
The large gold medal, which was supplied by Messrs J. Dowell and Co., bore the monogram “E.J.M., December, 1900”, on the front, and on the back, “Presented to Trooper E. Martin, B.M.I., by the non-commissioned officers and gunners of the No. 3 Company, 1st C.V.A., on his return from South Africa”.
Songs were given by Sergt. Sheldon, Gun. Robley, Corpl. Rich, Trooper MARTIN, Major Newton, W. Hodgson, Gun. Thornburn, Trump. T. Williamson, and Gun. Rich.
PRESENTATION TO A MARYPORT YEOMAN.
