Medals and awards

MIDDLESBROUGH.

Lance-Corporal STEMSON, Privates HARTAS, LONSDALE, and CHILDS, of the Service Company of the Middlesbrough (“G” and “H”) Companies of the 1st V.B.D.L.I., were the four men whom all Middlesbrough turned out to welcome on Saturday morning, when they arrived in the town after facing the horrors of war in South Africa. A large crowd gathered in the streets and in the neighbourhood of the station, whilst the more favoured waited inside the station, and, with commendable patience, awaited the arrival of the train. The bands of the 1st North Yorkshire Artillery Volunteers and the Tees Submarine Miners (R.E.) Volunteers were in attendance at the station, whilst amongst those present to welcome the returning heroes were Colonel S.A. Sadler, M.P., honorary colonel of the regiment, and president of the Reception Committee.

……. At ten minutes past twelve a constant and deafening roar of detonators informed the watchers that the train bearing the men home was entering the station, and, as the train drew up alongside the platform there was another explosion. The sighting of the train was the signal for the band of the 1st N.R.Y.V.A. to strike up “When Johny Comes Marching Home”, followed by “See the Conquering Hero Comes”, and “The Soldiers of the Queen”. As the four khaki-clad and bronzed warriors stepped out of the carriages, a hearty cheer went up, whilst the men were surrounded by eager friends and anxious relatives. A procession was then formed in the station yard, which, along with the station interior, had been extensively decorated, the Cycle Corps of the 1st V.B.D.L.I. leading the way. …….

THE WELCOME HOME.

At the Town Hall, there was a large gathering waiting the arrival of the men, who, on arrival were drawn up in the centre of the floor, amid hearty cheers from those present. The Deputy-Mayor (Councillor W.J. Bruce) occupied the chair, being supported by Mrs Bruce, Colonel Sadler, Alderman J.F. Wilson, Hugh Bell, and J. McLauchlan, Colonel C.L. Bell, Captain and Adjutant Graham, Major Johnson, Lieutenant H. Dixon, Lieutenant-Colonel Harris, Mr and Mrs H.W.F. Bolckow, the Rev. J.K. Bealey (vicar of Middlesbrough), the Rev. C.F. Fleming, the Rev. E. Moulton, and the members of the Council, with their friends, and the Corporation officials, including the Town Clerk (Mr G. Bainbridge).

The Chairman apologised for the absence of the Mayor (Councillor R. Mascall), and said he felt it a very great honour, an honour considerably enhanced by the fact that he had served fourteen years in the 1st V.B.D.L.I., to welcome his comrades, and, on behalf of the town, he gave them a cordial and warm welcome on their return from active and voluntary service. (Applause). Their example in volunteering for active service would pass on for generations and the youth of today, who would be the manhood of England tomorrow, would be stimulated by the example of the readiness to display similar heroism when the occasion required. They in Middlesbrough were proud to know that they had in their midst such gallant fellows – (applause) – and they were gratified to know that the active service detachment had fulfilled their duties, not only to their own satisfaction, but to the satisfaction of their officers. (Applause). He was sure that their other officers and their comrades were proud of them, and he could assure them that the people of Middlesbrough were proud of them. (Applause). They hoped that for many years they might have good luck and prosperity before them. (Applause).