County: Ayrshire
Issued on: Return
Dates of presentations: 10/06/1901, 28/11/1901
Number issued: 12
10/06/1901 presentation
7573 Private Hamilton THOMSON
28/11/1901 presentation
7569 Private John STEEL (transferred to Scottish Horse)
Inscribed: "Presented to ________, E Company, 1st V.B.R.S.F., by the inhabitants of Saltcoats, for services rendered in South Africa, 1900-1".
"On one side appears a representation of the 'Absent-Minded Beggar' ....... The five men still in Africa will receive their medals on their return" (Ardrossan Herald, 14/06/1901).
STEVENSTON.
It is proposed to give our twelve young men of E Coy., 1st V.B.R.S.F., who are at present in South Africa, a gold medal in recognition of their Valuable Services, on their return Home.
In order that everyone might have a chance of giving, contributions will be taken from One Penny upwards.
VOLUNTEERS’ HOME-COMING.
RETURN OF SALTCOATS VOLUNTEERS.
PRESENTATION OF MEDALS.
On Tuesday evening, in the Town Hall, an interesting ceremony – presenting the medals to the returned soldiers – was performed. A very large gathering took part in the proceedings. The Fusiliers again turned out in honour of their comrades, and there was a fine representation of the Boys’ Brigade. On the platform a large number of ladies and gentlemen supported Provost Guthrie, who presided, and who was accompanied by the Magistrates and Councillors, the active service Volunteers, Captain Allan, Lieut. Stewart, Ardrossan, and other public personages.
The Provost opened the proceedings. Two years ago, he said, war broke out in South Africa. A call was made upon our Volunteers to send a contingent to the front, to join the Army in protecting our fellow-subjects in those outlying regions. Saltcoats was always well to the front in a good cause, and – to its honour be it said – considering the size of the place, it sent out one of the largest contingents. (Applause). No fewer than 12 volunteered to go: and it is in the recollection of all present how heartily we appreciated their decision and with what good cheer we bade them God-speed. (Applause). Six months ago seven of them returned after completing their engagement; but, as showing the indomitable pluck of our Saltcoats lads, five of them re-engaged for another six months. They felt as if they had not done enough, and resolved to give another term of service for their King and country. (Applause). They, too, have now returned; and we are all proud and happy to say that all who went out have come back hale and hearty. Our first feeling is of intense gratitude to a kind of Providence for this happy result. We all know that in many places there are those who mourn the loss of dear ones – men who have dropped in the battlefield, or by disease or the exposure of a military campaign. It is therefore with glad hearts that we again see our brave Volunteers in our midst. Our meeting tonight is to show our appreciation of their conduct. (Applause). While they were away they were not forgotten. We could not give them burgess tickets, but the people of the town subscribed, and we have provided medals for them. When the seven returned they were, in this hall, presented with theirs. Tonight we complete the roll-call. (Applause). The medal in itself may not be great, but it symbolises the high regard of the people of Saltcoats for the twelve Volunteers. To the Volunteers themselves it will be a reminder of many hardships endured, but also, I feel sure, of many happy days and happy fellowships formed; and in the long future which we all wish them they will be able to recall with pride that they had an active part in a struggle which resulted, in a great measure, in the consolidation of our Colonies and the British Empire. (Cheers).
The Provost then called upon Mrs Allan, wife of Captain Allan, to present the medals. Mrs Allan gracefully did, each recipient as he rose to receive the medal being greeted with enthusiastic cheering. The names of the men who exchanged from the active service contingent of the R.S.F. into the Scottish Horse, and who received the medal, are – Lance-Corporal W. GRANT, Lance-Corporal HAMILTON, Private BAIN, and Private STEEL. Private LOUDOUN, who also received the medal, served with one of the Cape mounted bodies, and has been home for a short time.
Bailie Blakey said that the duty assigned to him was one which gave him very great pleasure – it was to move a vote of thanks to Mrs Allan, for her work in the procuring of the medals, and for presenting those medals to the Volunteers on the previous and the present occasions. (Applause). Saltcoats owed Mrs Allan a debt of gratitude. Looking back a little, they would remember how interested all were when they heard that seven of the volunteers were coming home. The whole town had been stirred, and all were eager to welcome and honour them. An enthusiasm like that, however, sometimes passed away without any great result, unless there were someone to take the initiative and guide the enthusiasm into a proper channel, so that the people’s appreciation and regard might be shown in a lasting and permanent form. Mrs Allan had come forward and taken the trouble to organise a collection throughout the town – a movement which was very well received, everyone being delighted to give – (applause) – and to have the opportunity of putting their regard, their esteem, and their honour of the volunteers into some tangible form. (Applause). At this point Bailie Blakey digressed to make a suggestion, which was heartily received. Why, he asked, had Saltcoats no record of its heroes? It was not that they had no heroes. They knew they had had many heroes in Saltcoats, and he thought that there should be some permanent record of the heroes of the town. (Applause). On that back wall – of the Town Hall – he thought they ought to have a marble tablet, whereon could be inscribed the name and a short sentence descriptive of any brave deed of every man who was held by popular opinion to be a hero indeed. (Applause). He would begin by putting at the top of that list the names of those twelve Volunteers. (Applause). They must thank Mrs Allan for leading them a few steps towards the realisation of that idea. She had by her exertions made it possible for them to write the names of some of their heroes in gold, and by and by it might be possible for them to inscribe those names on stone, in this the centre of town life. (Cheers).
Captain Allan thanked one and all for the cordial vote of thanks to Mrs Allan. He might say that to Mrs Allan the work had been one of great pleasure, a pleasure which had been deepened by the kindness and the willingness of all to aid in honouring the men. Everywhere she had been well received. (Applause). …….
