County: Monmouthshire
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 27/07/1901
Number issued: 1
Silver watch, and gold chain & medal pendant, to:
Presentation made by Mr I. Butler, in the Drill Hall of the Panteg Company, 1st Monmouthshire Volunteer Artillery.
Cronin also received a silver English lever keyless watch and purse of £6.
Watch inscribed: "Presented to Trooper J. Cronin, Gloucestershire Imperial Yeomanry, by his old comrades and friends, in commemoration of his good services in South Africa, January 15th, 1900, to July 16th, 1901".
A PANTEG YEOMAN BACK FROM THE WAR.
SMOKING CONCERT AND INTERESTING PRESENTATIONS.
The Drill Hall of the Panteg corps of the 1st Monmouthshire Artillery was filled to its utmost capacity on Saturday evening, for the purpose of doing honour to Trooper J. CRONIN, who recently returned from the South African War, after doing service there, to uphold the glorious criterion of his native land, with the Gloucestershire Imperial Yeomanry. Prior to the function, the Panteg Artillery Band, under the leadership of Bandmaster Berry, paraded the village.
Dr O’Keefe occupied the chair, and was supported on the platform by Mr I. Butler, J.P., Major D.E. Williams, Mr J. Walters, Mr A. Pym, the Rev. J.E. Dunn, Capt. Aubrey Butler, and Trooper J. CRONIN.
The Band having given a pleasing selection, the Chairman said they were present that evening to do honour to their friend, who came forward in the nick of time when England was in a state of distress some months ago. He referred to Trooper CRONIN. (Applause). He (the chairman) then proposed the loyal toast which was musically honoured.
Mr A. Pym next proposed the toast of the “Army and Navy and Auxiliary Forces”. (Applause).
……. Major Williams, on rising to respond, was warmly welcomed. ……. Trooper CRONIN, as they were mostly aware, started in the 53rd Battery of Royal Artillery about seven years ago. He did four years’ service in India, and after coming home went on the reserve, and while in the latter he joined his (the Major’s) battery, and did excellent service as a driver, and when his reserve time expired he became a regular member. When the call for Volunteers came, CRONIN was one of the first to hand in his name – (applause) – and his only desire was to join his own battery if he could, but as he could not he went out with the Yeomanry. He now rejoiced to think that he had come back safe and sound after being surrounded by shot and shell for nearly 18 months. (Cheers).
……. Mr Pym next read the financial account of the CRONIN Testimonial Fund, which shewed that the sum of £17 13s had been subscribed. The expenditure was made up by £9 2s 6d being paid for a silver English keyless lever watch, a nine carat gold curb chain, with gold medal pendant attached, which left a purse of £6 to be handed to the recipient.
Mr I. Butler then proceeded to make the presentation. He was sure that Trooper CRONIN greatly appreciated the exceeding kindness they had shewn towards him, and their practical sympathy for what he had done on their and his country’s behalf. When they considered how earnestly Trooper CRONIN pressed himself forward to go to the Front, he was sure they could not help but appreciate all that he had done. He (the speaker) well remembered the time when their friend volunteered. He wanted to join his own battery, and they tried hard to enable him to do so, but all in vain. However, he joined another regiment, and he (Mr Butler) firmly believed that he did the same amount of good work as he would otherwise have done, and made excellent use of the steed they (his friends) supplied him with. He was delighted to be present to join the company in welcoming their khaki-clad friend home again. But he felt sure that, if another call was made to the country, CRONIN would be one of the first to rejoin. (Cheers). In conclusion, he handed the gifts named to the hero amid enthusiastic cheering, saying he hoped he would enjoy himself in a beneficial manner while the money lasted, and that the watch and chain would not meet with the same fate as many similar articles did – (laughter) – by being taken to his uncle’s to be taken care of. (Renewed laughter).
As the presentation was being made the band struck up “Soldiers of the Queen”, and at its conclusion the company heartily sang “For he’s a jolly good fellow”.
The watch bore on the back the recipient’s monogram, “J.C.”, while on the inside of the case was the following inscription: – “Presented to Trooper J. Cronin, Gloucestershire Imperial Yeomanry, by his old comrades and friends, in commemoration of his good services in South Africa, January 15th, 1900, to July 16th, 1901”.
