County: Nottinghamshire
Issued on: Return
Dates of presentations: 21/05/1901, 04/06/1902
Number issued: 7 or 8
21/05/1901 presentation
7425 Private [Lance-Corporal] Arthur TATTERSALL (died, Kroonstad, 25/06/1900 - did his family receive a medal?)
04/06/1902 presentation
7535 Private [Corporal] Ernest WARBURTON
Sergeant J.C. DAVIS [Davies]
Presentation made by the Mayor (Alderman Holmes), in the Town Hall, Retford.
Pendants inscribed with the Retford borough arms, and: "Presented by the Mayor to ______, in personal recognition of the services rendered in South Africa, 1900, 1901".
PRESENTATION TO RETFORD VOLUNTEERS.
PRESENTATION TO LOCAL VOLUNTEERS.
Most enthusiastic was the reception accorded the three Volunteers – Privates PHILLIPSON, HEANES, and BUTLER – who, a year ago, when the country called for help, courageously went out to fight for our late beloved Queen and people. Though only one of the men has been through the thick of the scrimmage, yet the welcome was no less cordial. Enteric, with its striking hand, was very rife, and cut off one of our most promising Volunteers – Corporal TATTERSALL – in the prime of life. It attacked another, thus debarring him from entering the thick of the fight, and distinguishing himself by taking part in the arduous engagements. At eight o’clock on Tuesday night the Market Square presented an animated appearance, about two thousand residents having turned out to witness the ceremony. A few minutes after the hour, the 4th Notts Volunteer Band played the khaki heroes into the Market Square, where they were placed in a position of honour, awaiting his Worship the Mayor, who was to perform the pleasing duty of presentation. ……. The presentation was made on the steps, round the centre lamp, where a good view of the whole group could be obtained.
The MAYOR, who was received with applause, said that Retford had sent its quota of citizens to assist in the war in South Africa. The men were four in number, but they regretted that one who left their midst nearly 18 months ago died at the front. The work their Volunteers went out to do was no slight task; they had done soldiers’ duties, and what they were ordered to do. Sickness had killed more than actual fighting had done. This small ceremony was for one single purpose, which he would name under three heads. In the first instance, it was their duty on the return of the three Volunteers to thank them for offering their services to this country and to this town; secondly, to regret the loss of one of the Volunteers – Corporal TATTERSALL; and thirdly, to rejoice in the safe return of the three to their native town. Nothing that he could say would be strong enough to express his feelings at welcoming back the three comrades, who were not soldiers by choice, but who had gone out so cheerfully for the service of their country. (Applause). …….
The three khaki heroes were now drawn up in line round the steps.
The MAYOR, in making the presentations, said: “Private PHILLIPSON, Private HEANES, and Private BUTLER, you require but very little that I can say to recall the tremendous voyage you have taken to South Africa, and although you may require nothing to remind you of the services you have rendered, it gives satisfaction to the authorities of this town – at any rate myself – who am acting as first magistrate of this town, to present to you some small token that shall show you that the authorities of your town are always ready to acknowledge good services faithfully rendered”. (Applause).
The present to each returned comrade was a lovely gold albert, with a gold pendant bearing the appropriate inscription – “Presented by the Mayor to ________ , in personal recognition of services rendered in South Africa, 1900-1”. On the reverse side was the borough coat of arms, beautifully embossed.
Captain HERCY DENMAN thanked the Mayor, the Corporation, and the many friends who had assembled to give such a hearty reception to their returned comrades from the front. He said it was not only a memorable day, but a memorable event.
Three cheers were given to the Mayor for his kindness and generosity, after which the large assembly sang the National Anthem.
THE RETURNED VOLUNTEERS.
Dinner and Presentation at Retford.
On Wednesday night Sergeant DAVIS, Corporal HOLORAN, Corporal WARBURTON, and Private PHILLIPS, the last four members of the Retford Volunteer Company, who have returned from active service in South Africa, were entertained at dinner in the Town Hall by their officers, non-commissioned officers, and members of “A” Company 4th Notts Rifles. The chair was occupied by Captain Denman, and the men in khaki occupied seats to his right and left, whilst other guests at the head of the table were: - The Mayor (Ald. Holmes), the Vicar (the Rev. Canon Ebsworth), Captain J.V. Thomas, Councillor Butler, Mr J. Smith, and the relatives of the men, Mr Davis, Mr Unsworth, and Mr F. Phillips.
The Chairman, after giving the loyal toasts, proposed the health of the “Active Service Men”, whom they were pleased to welcome back amongst them. They looked with great pleasure upon the reflected honour upon the company of the services of these men. They recognised that their comrades could look back with pride and satisfaction upon their soldier’s life in South Africa, and which they had only been able to undertake at great personal sacrifice in cutting themselves adrift from business and home ties, and the mere fact of them leaving their business must have entailed considerable loss and serious anxiety. Sergeant DAVIS had been attached the wonderful medical corps at the hospital at Deelfontein, which was the very finest of the kind ever established in connection with any army. When he left it was with the deep regret of the staff, who were sorry to lose such an admirable man, and he (the Sergeant) had left a memorial of himself of a permanent character, because he was the constructor of the hospital. (Applause). They were all proud to see that he gained the rank of staff-sergeant. In conclusion, the Chairman referred to the pleasure which the men in the fighting line experienced last Christmas, when each received a parcel made up and addressed in his own hand by the Commander of their Regiment, Col. Mellish. (Cheers).
Sergt. DAVIS, in responding, said it seemed a long time since he left Retford, over two years ago, and he deeply appreciated the warmth of their welcome home. He was much interested in the Sherwood Rangers Ward, which was attached to the hospital at which he was on duty, in which there were twenty beds, all named after Retford and places and families in the neighbourhood. So that when he walked through the ward, it almost felt like going home. (Applause). As they knew, this ward, fully equipped, was sent out by Lady Galway and her friends.
Corporals HOLORAN and WARBURTON also replied, and speaking of their sleeping out on cold damp nights said their blankets were frozen stiff, and crackled when folded up. They had the experience of being sent out with a convoy to Ventersdorp one morning, and through some mistake started without their breakfasts, marching twenty-five miles without anything to eat or drink, and when they arrived they were as black as the Kaffir ox drivers, and they had to march back next day.
Private PHILLIPS related his experiences in going with bullock waggons and two Cape boys to fetch the beer from Pretoria to Rustenburg for Christmas. Fortunately, said the private, we were not attacked by Boers. We got the beer, and got back safely. (Applause).
Councillor Butler proposed the health of the Mayor, who in reply said he was especially glad in welcoming back from South Africa the comrades in khaki who were with them that night, and following the example of his predecessor, Councillor Pegler, he asked each to accept as a souvenir a gold albert and gold pendant, suitably engraved. The recipients suitably acknowledged the handsome gift and warm reception.
