County: Elginshire
Issued on: Return
Dates of presentations: 16/05/1901, 09/08/1902 (Coronation Day)
Number issued: 15
Gold medals, to:
16/05/1901 presentation
1st Volunteer Active Service Company, Seaforth Highlanders –
7024 Drummer [Private] Charles McADAM (absent - joined Scottish Horse; medal handed to Capatin Brydon)
???? Private John ALLAN
7021 Private George DEAN (absent - joined Scottish Horse; medal handed to Capatin Brydon)
7221 Private Francis GRANT (Draft)
7023 Private George B. JOHNSTON [Johnstone]
7027 Private John KELLET
7227 Private James McCONNACHIE (Draft)
7020 Private James ROBERTSON (absent - joined Scottish Horse; medal handed to Capatin Brydon)
7144 Private Gordon SIMPSON
Presentation made by Major Grant (of Glen Grant), in the Town Hall, Rothes.
09/08/1902 (Coronation Day) presentation
2nd Volunteer Active Service Company, Seaforth Highlanders –
3222 Colour-Sergeant John BEVERIDGE
???? Private FRASER
8587 Private William HAY
7223 Private James A. JOHNSTON [Johnstone]
3rd Volunteer Active Service Company, Seaforth Highlanders –
7533 Private [Lance-Corporal] George INGRAM
7546 Private Alexander SOUTER
Presentation made by Major Dick on the Square, Rothes.
Obverse with crossed rifles, and: "Rothes Volunteer Badge - Boer War, 1900-1901".
Reverse inscribed with the recipient's name.
This silver cigarette case was presented to Colour-Sergeant Ross by members of the 1st Volunteer Active Service Company, Seaforth Highlanders (Draft).
Amongst the names engraved on the case are those of Privates GRANT and McCONNACHIE.
Glasgow Herald, 12/01/1900
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Elgin Courant, 7th May 1901
ROTHES.
RETURN OF THE VOLUNTEERS.
At a meeting of the Committee, held in the Town Hall on Saturday evening, it was decided to present the nine Volunteers of the First Service Company with gold medals, with a suitable inscription, as a memento of their services in South Africa. The presentation is to be made at a ball to be held in the Town Hall on Wednesday evening, the 15th inst.
Elgin Courant, 17th May 1901
ROTHES.
What might be termed a red letter day in the history of Rothes took place on Wednesday evening, when the Volunteers of the First Service Company, who have returned from the front, were presented with a gold medal. There was an abnormally large crowd of the laity, and if the clergy were present, we did not see them. The Volunteers of the local Company, both of Rothes and Archiestown, turned out well, and, under command of Captain Brydon, headed by the pipe and drum band, marched to the Town Hall, in front of which the presentation was made. A prominent place in the ranks was given to the men in khaki. The other officers present were Major Grant, Major Dick, Captain Brydon, Captain Ross (Fochabers), Lieutenant Robb, and Lieutenant Walker. The Town Council was also well represented, and, although they had arranged not to take part in the active work of the presentation, still their influence permeated the whole. Major Grant of Glengrant, who was accompanied by Miss Grant, was introduced by Captain Brydon, who said it did not require any words of his to introduce Major Grant, who was so well known to them all.
The Major addressed the men as follows: – Ladies and gentlemen, it is a great pleasure to me indeed having been asked to present these medals to the gallant fellows who have just returned from fighting for their country in South Africa. It was no light task they took upon themselves, and it is only those who know the country and the difficulties to be overcome that can appreciate what they have done. I am sure we heartily congratulate them on coming home hale and well after all the arduous duties they have had to perform. Before going further I must express one word of regret at the sad end of one of their comrades at Grantown the other day, and I am sure we all sympathise with his friends and relations. It must have been very gratifying in her old age to her most Gracious Majesty, our late Queen, to see such a response of the best men in the country, from England, from Scotland, from Ireland, and from the Colonies, the very best men the Empire could produce coming forward to defend the Empire which their forefathers had bled and died for. I am sure we in this country were all pleased to see such a hearty response from our Highland villages to follow in the footsteps of the brave Highlanders who shed their blood for the sake of the Empire and for Scotland – (cheers). I heartily congratulate these young men on what they have gone through, and that their action has been appreciated is shown by the spontaneous feeling in giving them a medal. I have much pleasure in handing them this medal, and I am sure they will wear it with pleasure all the days of their lives – (cheers). Now, my lads, you must never forget you are a part of the Highland Brigade, whose name sends a thrill through the hearts of those at home and carries respect wherever it goes, and also you are a part of the northern portion of that famous brigade – you are Seaforth Highlanders – and those who wear that uniform do what men look up to and lead such lives as will not sully the uniform they have borne – (cheers). I hope the conduct of these young men will be an incentive to the young men of Rothes and all the country to join such movements, so that we can show to all the world that Great Britain can stand before all enemies that may come against her. I can only express the hope that when your other comrades come home we shall be able to give them as hearty a reception, and to see them all with the South African medal on their breasts, and, say, four clasps – (cheers). I have only one regret, and that is that I was not with you myself to be a recipient of this medal instead of a giver.
On the call of Major Dick, three hearty cheers were given for Major Grant, who thanked the company assembled, and called for three cheers for the King, which were raised with hearty goodwill.
After the presentation, a dance was held, which was largely attended by those who had an interest in the town and in the Volunteer movement. The dance was enjoyed by all, and was certainly the most enjoyable of the season, notwithstanding the predictions of some, who wish to throw cold water on everything; but in future they had better study the phrase, “It is better not to prophesy unless you know”, for certainly the dance of Wednesday belied their predictions, but this might have been due to the fact that they were absent, which took any possible chance of discord away. Messrs James Fraser and Wm. Mackenzie in a very efficient manner discharged the duties of M.C.’s. Miss Munro’s band from Fochabers occupied the orchestra, while Mr Grant, Station Hotel, purveyed. A very enjoyable dance was brought to a finish at two o’clock in the morning.
Forres, Elgin & Nairnm Gazette, 22nd May 1901
ROTHES.
RETURNED VOLUNTEERS.
The Volunteers of the First Service Company of the Seaforth Highlanders belonging to Rothes, who have returned from the front, were met in the Town Hall on Thursday evening last and presented with gold medals in recognition of their gallant services. The presentation was made by Major Grant of Glen Grant, who heartily congratulated the young men on what they had gone through. That their action had been appreciated was shown by the spontaneous feeling in giving them medals. He had much pleasure in handing them the medals, and he was sure they would wear them with pleasure all the days of their lives. The six men receiving medals were Privates ALLAN, SIMPSON, JOHNSTONE, GRANT, McCONNACHIE, and KELLET. The other three of the First Company – Privates McADAM, DEAN, and ROBERTSON – having enlisted into the Scottish Horse, are still in South Africa, and their medals were handed to Captain Brydon. Private ALLAN, in the name of his comrades, thanked Major Grant for making the presentation. After the ceremony, a ball was held.
Elgin Courant, 12th August 1902
ROTHES.
The Coronation celebrations were a great success, and the weather was lovely, although the over-cast sky of the morning was taken to betoken rain. The town was effectively decorated with bunting, flowers, and evergreens. All places of business were, on the recommendation of the Council, closed from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The children assembled at the school at 10.30, where they were presented with a Coronation medal and jug. They marched from there in procession to the Established Church, where divine service was held, and where the public, Volunteers, Oddfellows, Freemasons, Council, &c., had assembled. After the service, gold medals were presented to the Volunteers who had returned from South Africa. Major Dick made the presentation in the name of the Volunteers and their friends. Sergeant-Instructor Colour-Sergeant BEVERIDGE, on behalf of the men and himself, returned thanks for the gift.
Aberdeen People's Journal, 16th August 1902
ROTHES.
THE CORONATION.
The Coronation was very loyally celebrated in Rothes. The houses all over the burgh were gaily decorated. The rejoicings opened with the presentation of medals – the gift of the Hon. John E. Gordon, M.P. – to the school children, followed by a joint religious service in the Parish Church. The volunteers were paraded on the Square, and Major Dick presented medals to Colour-Sergeant BEVERIDGE, Lance-Corporal INGRAM, and Privates SOUTER, HAY, FRASER, and JOHNSTONE, who recently returned from South Africa. A procession through the principal streets followed. Provost Cumming presided at a banquet in the Town Hall at one o’clock, and in the afternoon there were sports on the Market Green. A fancy dress cycle parade and a display of fireworks on the Castle Hill at night closed the rejoicings.
