Medals and awards

MAUCHLINE.

RETURN OF SERGEANT-MAJOR THOMAS BROWNLIE FROM THE FRONT.

Mauchline may, perhaps, not have so much to congratulate itself upon as the neighbouring town of Catrine, so far as sending volunteers to the war is concerned, but certainly we can say that if our Mauchline volunteers for the front were few in number, they were of sterling quality. The gallant Laird of Netherplace, who left in command of the company, has done so well since he went out that his title is now Lieutenant-Colonel Hamilton-Campbell, and if there is one thing that strikes one more than another in conversing with members of the returned yeomanry, it is this universal testimony of the love and admiration which Lieutenant-Colonel Hamilton-Campbell evoked amongst them. As the gallant Colonel has elected to stay on at the front, we have every expectation that he will yet get the command of a brigade. The other volunteer from our parish was Sergeant Thomas BROWNLIE of Mossgiel, and he also has acquitted himself like a man, and has earned promotion, returning with the rank of Sergeant-Major. Sergeant-Major BROWNLIE arrived from the front at Mauchline on Wednesday night, and was accorded a most hearty welcome, practically the whole town turning out to do him honour. When the train from Ayr arrived at Mauchline Station a large salute of fog signals and loud cheers from the assembled crowd greeted Sergt.-Major BROWNLIE. Mr Marcus Bain, C.C., Chairman of the Reception Committee, and the other members of committee were on the platform to greet him, and a procession was formed, headed by the Flute Band and the Boys Brigade, with the St David’s Lodge of Freemasons, a detachment of the Yeomanry, carriages, and the general public, marching through the main streets to the Loan Green. All along the route flags and other decorations were tastefully hung and draped, and the town presented an animated and gay appearance. On arrival at the green, Sergt.-Major BROWNLIE was escorted to a platform, where, with Mr Bain as chairman, he was presented with a gold medal in commemoration of his gallant services.

Mr Bain, in making the presentation, referred in glowing terms to Sergeant-Major BROWNLIE’s splendid record, both before going to the front in the winning of many of the principal prizes in the troop for shooting, &c., and since going to the front, detailing at some length the many engagements and adventures in which he had participated. He (Mr Bain) had the great privilege of being the medium to make the presentation as a token of the esteem and regard in which Sergeant-Major BROWNLIE was held by the whole community, for his noble and gallant conduct in going forth to fight the battles of his country, and expressed the fervent hope that he would be long spared to fight his battles over again, and to look upon the medal now presented as a proof of the admiration which his heroic conduct had evoked. (Loud cheers).