County: South Yorkshire
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 18/01/1902
Number issued: 1
Gold medal, to:
Presentation made by Mr Beck, on behalf of fellow Carlton Main Colliery workmen, at the Sun Inn, Monk Bretton.
Private Newsome also received a gold watch and chain, with medallion, from the inhabitants of Monk Bretton village. He may, therefore, have received two medals.
PRESENTATION TO A RETURNED SOLDIER AT MONK BRETTON.
On Friday evening a large company assembled at the Monk Bretton Club (which during the festive season has been a centre of mirth and good fellowship) to do honour to Private S, NEWSOME, a Reservist lately returned from South Africa. By means of a public subscription, organised and carried out by a sub-committee, with Mr E.A. Rymer as chairman; Mr B. Gill and Mr J. Harrison as hon. Secretaries; and Mr J. Cheatter as treasurer, and handsome gold watch and chain, with medallion, had been provided for presentation to Mr NEWSOME, along with an address, and the event was one which excited a good deal of interest. Mr J. Cheatter presided over the gathering, which took place in the large room of the club, and the proceedings were marked by much cordiality. Among the supporters of the Chairman were the Rev. W.S. Scott (the vicar’s locum tenens), Messrs J.L. Marshall, E.A. Rymer, J. Harrison, J.T. Hall, M. Duffy, J. Johnson, W. Carr, T. Wood, J. Shaw, A. Shaw, F. Manterfield, C. Acklam, J. Elliott, J. Charlesworth, etc. Mrs Marshall and many other ladies were present.
In opening the proceedings the Chairman congratulated Mr Rymer and the testimonial committee on the splendid success which had attended the movement. He was glad to think, as treasurer, that all had been paid for, and everything had been done with perfect harmony and good will. Turning to Private NEWSOME, he said he was glad to see him safe and sound back from the war, in which for two years he had played his part nobly as a man and a soldier, and had emerged from its many conflicts without injury. (Cheers). The Chairman, continuing, said they were only fulfilling the pledge made two years ago at the “send-off” of NEWSOME and GILMORE, in making this handsome present, which he felt would be prized by NEWSOME as a free will offering from the people of his native village and other friends, and he felt sure that if NEWSOME’s companion, GILMORE, lived to return, the same thing would be done for him also. (Cheers).
Mr Marshall, in making the presentation, said: Private NEWSOME – It gives me great pleasure to present you these handsome presents, as a token of goodwill and in recognition of your gallant services to your country. We trust that you will long live to look upon them with delight and satisfaction, and when your companions still in arms, JACKSON and GILMORE, shall return as you have done, we hope to remember them in the same way. (Applause).
After Mr Elliott had sung “The Death of Nelson” in excellent style,
Private NEWSOME rose to respond, and was received with hearty cheering. He said he did not know how to thank them all for the many kind words and deeds which they had lavished upon him. As regarded the war, they had to rough it pretty hard, and while out in South Africa he had seen many more dinner times than dinners, and he was glad he had got back safe to his family and friends.
The Rev. W.S. Scott next gave a very interesting description of army life. As an old army chaplain at several military stations up and down the country, he had, he said, seen much of the private soldier, and the more he saw of him the better he liked his many qualities. He complimented Private NEWSOME on his safe return.
ANOTHER PRESENTATION TO PRIVATE S. NEWSOME, OF MONK BRETTON.
On Saturday evening last a complimentary supper took place at the Sun Inn, Monk Bretton, in connection with the presentation of a handsome gold medal to Private S. NEWSOME, lately returned from South Africa. Forty-three persons sat down to supper, served up by the host and hostess in a liberal and substantial manner. Amongst the guests and friends present were Messrs A. Atherton, W. Beck, E.A. Rymer, C. Brown, W. Hemmings, J. Harston, J. Leeson, W. Cooper, C. Goddard, A. King, T. Elliott, W. Ellis, and many others, representing Carlton surfacemen and hangers-on, the Monk Bretton Brass Band, the Club, and the testimonial committee. Private NEWSOME, wearing his beautiful gold watch, was in attendance, and met with the warmest of receptions.
After supper, Mr Rymer took the chair, and the room was literally packed by the soldier’s friends and fellow-workmen. The Chairman said he was glad to meet them on such an occasion, and felt proud to think Carlton Main workmen had provided a beautiful testimonial for presentation to their comrade, Private S. NEWSOME. He congratulated Mr Allan Atherton and his co-workers on bringing the effort to a successful conclusion, and, in the name of Carlton Main Colliery, offered hearty congratulations to Private NEWSOME upon his safe return from the seat of war. He then called upon Mr Beck to make the presentation.
Mr Beck, holding the medal in his right hand, stood up amidst much cheering, and said: Private NEWSOME, I make you this beautiful present on behalf of the Carlton Main workmen, and we all sincerely wish that you may live long amongst us to wear it, and that the medal will be handed down to your posterity with pride and satisfaction to yourself and family. (Applause).
Private NEWSOME rose to reply, and was lustily cheered. He said: Mr Rymer and fellow workmen, I thank you for the presentation and for all the kindness bestowed on me since I arrived home from the war. I often thought of you when fighting round Colenso and Spion Kop, Ladysmith, and away on through the Transvaal valleys and mountains. I feel none the worse for doing my duty as a soldier, and I shall wear this token of your respect with pride and satisfaction so long as I live. (Applause).
