County: Monmouthshire
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 21/05/1901
Number issued: 14
Gold medals, suitably inscribed, to:
7542 Private Charles THOMAS
9891 Lance-Corporal Edward William BROACKES
2435 Lance-Corporal William TREASURE
Presentation made by Mr J.G. Broackes, in the Public Hall, Risca.
"Mr Broackes added that they also had medals for those men still at the front" (South Wales Gazette, 24/05/1901).
Potentially 14 medals presented: "The Chairman remarked that their four local Volunteers, one Yeoman, and 9 Reservists were coming home" (Star of Gwent, 17/05/1901).
Home Coming of the Local Volunteers.
HOW THE DISTRICT GREETED “THE BOYS”.
Risca Volunteers Feted.
PRESENTATION TO THE “BOYS”.
Risca was “en fete” on Tuesday evening to welcome the local members of the Active Service Company S.W. Borderers, just returned from the front. Bunting was displayed in various parts of the locality, and the neighbourhood presented quite an animated appearance. The Volunteers had been in Newport with the Uskside detachment in the evening, and came up to Risca with the 6.55 train. At Risca station a large crowd had assembled to wait for the arrival of the train. The Pontymister Company of the Second V.B. South Wales Borderers (to which the returning heroes belong), under Captain Cross, and the Risca Battery of the Monmouthshire Volunteer Artillery, under Major Watts, were drawn up outside the station, and while the “boys” were emerging the band struck up, “See the Conquering Gero Comes”, followed by “Soldiers of the Queen”. The arrangements for the reception were carried out by a committee, the chairman of which was Mr J.G. Broackes, and the hon. sec. was Mr Martin G. Edwards. A welcome was extended to the returned Volunteers, on behalf of the residents, by Mr Broackes, and a march through the town terminated at the Public Hall, where a luncheon was provided. Major Watts presided, and among those present were: The Rev. Basil Williams (vicar of Risca), Capt. Cross, Lieutenant Oswald (Monmouthshire Volunteer Artillery), Messrs E.A. Taylor, G.J. Broackes, T.M. Banks, J.G. Broackes, J. Jones, M.G. Edwards, T. Rosser, and other gentlemen. The luncheon was largely attended.
The Chairman congratulated the South Wales Borderers upon having sent such an efficient company to South Africa. They had covered themselves with glory and honour. He congratulated the four Volunteers who had now returned; and said it gave him the greatest pleasure to welcome them back again. (Hear, hear). As long as they had men of this stamp, the country need not fear conscription.
After dinner, the Chairman proposed the loyal toasts, and these were duly honoured.
Mr T.M. Banks gave the “Army, Navy, Reserve and Auxiliary Forces”. He said that his father started the company at Pontymister 40 years ago. He (the speaker) was very young at the time, and joined as a bugler. He welcomed the Volunteers heartily on their return, after having done their duty; and he particularly welcomed the Risca Volunteers on their coming home.
Lieutenant Oswald (Volunteer Artillery) responded briefly.
Captain Cross, in returning thanks, said he felt proud of the returned volunteers, and remarked upon the excellence of the reception at Risca. It was a matter of pride to him that the four men belonged to his company.
Sergeant Rollison (2nd Volunteer Battalion South Wales Borderers) also acknowledged the toast. He read the orders of Colonel Roche (South Wales Borderers) making reference to the magnificent services rendered by the Volunteers. They joined on the 8th of May during the general advance of Lord Roberts upon the capital of the Transvaal, took part in the action of the Zand River, and the taking of Johannesburg. They were afterwards employed in other capacities, and the commandant and officers thanked the Volunteers for what they had done.
The Chairman said that the order of the commanding officer of the South Wales Borderers which had been read was something of which they could be proud. The Volunteers went out to serve their Queen and country, and afterwards their King and country. They acted as soldiers, proved themselves worthy, and everybody was satisfied of their fitness. (Cheers). They had met that night to do honour to the four men who went from Risca, and they were all proud and pleased to see them back again. He proposed the health of the returned heroes.
The toast was awarded musical honours.
The returned Volunteers are Corporal A. OSMOND (Risca), Private F. LOWE (Cross Keys), Private E.H. HOWELLS (Pontymister), and Private THOMAS (Risca). Two other heroes who returned some time ago were Corporal E.W. BROACKES, of the Glamorgan Company, Imperial Yeomanry, and Private W. TREASURE, Reservist of the Gloucesters.
Corporal OSMOND returned thanks for the reception, and for what had been done for the Volunteers during the time they were away in South Africa. They had tried to do their duty – (hear, hear) – and had tried to keep together. (Hear, hear).
Corporal BROACKES also expressed thanks, and said he would like to have seen Captain Edwards (his comrade) present.
Corporal TREASURE said he thanked all with his heart and soul, and that was all he could say.
Private THOMAS, Private HOWELLS, and Private LOWE also returned thanks.
The responses were received with enthusiasm.
During the evening a gold medal was presented to each of the returned heroes by Mr J.G. Broackes, who took the chair when Major Watts was obliged to leave. Mr Broackes remarked upon the hearty manner in which the townspeople responded to the call made upon them.
The ceremony evoked considerable enthusiasm.
