Medals and awards

 

 

Wellington Journal, 18th May 1901

 

THE VOLUNTEERS & YEOAMNRY AT OSWESTRY.

INTERESTING PROCEEDINGS.

On Thursday evening last a supper and smoking concert to welcome the visit of the Shropshire Imperial Yeomanry to Oswestry for their annual training and also the return of some of the active service section of the Oswestry Volunteers was held in the Oswestry gymnasium, the mayor (Mr R. Daniel) presiding, when about 500 Yeomanry and Volunteers, including guests, sat down. The Imperial Yeomanry were played by their band to the Gymnasium, as were also the Oswestry Volunteer Corps by their band. …….

The Town Clerk [Mr J. Parry Jones] proposed the toast of “The Active Service Section of Oswestry Volunteers”, and in doing so said he thought it was appropriate for him to propose that toast as his voice was the last they heard when they went out in February last it should now be the first to welcome them. It was with deep regret that they could not see all back again with them. He mentioned the sad loss of Colour-Sergeant LEE, whose name had been singled out by the Colonel as the best non-commissioned officer in the regiment. Also Lance-Corporal KENYON, one the best living and brightest young men their town had known. He, too, was gone. Might it be long before their names faded from Oswestry memories. He thought it was a happy conjunction that they greeted noy only the Yeomanry, but also the four Oswestrians who had been across the sea and had come back to them. He did feel that something would have been wanting if Oswestry had not been represented in South Africa. Proceeding, he said he had something to do with assisting to furnish the machine gun which had been in 16 engagements and was now entirely worn out, and in this connection he must mention gallant Gilbert LLOYD, who had had charge of it. (Loud cheers).

The Mayor then presented to the four active service volunteers – Corporal E. ROBERTS, and Privates HAMPSON, C. PHILLIPS, and MILLS – with medals. Of the remaining four, two would be forwarded to Corporal BYRNE (now in hospital at Woolwich) and to Lance-Corporal BROMLEY (now in hospital in South Africa). The remaining two would be forwarded to the relatives of the deceased men.

Major Bull, in returning thanks on behalf of the Volunteers, said it was his privilege to command one of the most loyal and patriotic Companies in Salop. When the war cloud threatened, a large percentage answered the call and over 20 per cent of his Company had gone to the front. (Cheers). He was heartily pleased to welcome them back after the hardships they had gone through – fighting as they had been, shoulder to shoulder with the Shropshire Regiment. They would remember what Colonel Spens had said in his letter, that the active service men, whether in action or in camp, had done their duty without murmuring, and had come out of it with flying colours. He heartily thanked the Mayor for entertaining them. He was particularly proud of Corporal ROBERTS, as he had been a clerk in his office, and he was the third of his clerks who had gone to the front.

 

 

Wellington Journal, 27th June 1903 (unveiling of the tablet in the Municipal Buildings, Oswestry, on 25th June 1903)

 

The following is the inscription on the tablet, which was supplied by Mr A. Lashmore, Oswestry: –

 

 

 

 

 

Pipe presented to Corporal Edward Roberts. With K.S.L.I. badge applied to bowl and inscribed: "E. ROBERTS (of OSWESTRY) / FOR DISTINGUISH SERVICE WITH THE / 2ND SHROPSHIRE K.L.I. SOUTH AFRICAN WAR 1900 - 1".