County: County Durham
Issued on: Return
Dates of presentations: 10/08/1901, 21/09/1901, 15/03/1902, 08/11/1902
Number issued: 5
10/08/1901 presentation
1142 Private William USHER
Presentation made by Major Bernard, at the Wyn Yard Hotel, Silksworth.
21/09/1901 presentation
2865 Private Bartholomew FOLEY [Bert Foley]
637 Private John Henry RIDLEY
Presentation made by Major Bernard, 2nd Durham R.G.A., at the Vane Arms, Silksworth.
Foley also received a gold "dress ring" and, for his wife, a gold mounted brooch.
Ridley also received a gold signet ring and gold "sleeve-links and studs".
15/03/1902 presentation
???? Private Robert KELLY (2396 or 6807 Private Robert Kelly)
08/11/1902 presentation
???? Private Pat McKINLEY (no record found)
Presentation made by Captain C.T. Ritson, 2nd Durham R.G.A., at the Vane Arms Hotel, Silksworth.
Inscribed: "Presented to [Private R. Kelly, 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers], by the inhabitants of Silksworth as a token of their esteem and for services rendered out in South Africa, [March 15th, 1902]".
SMOKING CONCERT AND PRESENTATION.
At Silksworth, on Saturday night, a smoking concert was held at Mr T.R. Richardson’s Wyn Yard Hotel, Silksworth, for the purpose of making a presentation to Private Wm. USHER, of the Princess of Wales’s Own Yorkshire Regiment (better known as the 1st Yorks). Private USHER, who resides at Lord Street, Silksworth, was called up as a first-class Reservist, and during the 18 months he has been out in South Africa has seen some very hard fighting. He has been in several of the principal engagements, including the capture of Cronje. The chair was occupied by Major McKenzie, of the 2nd Durham Volunteer Artillery, who was supported by Major Bernard, 2nd Durham Volunteer Artillery; Quartermaster Gee, Royal Artillery, Sunderland; Sergt. Coghlan, of Major Vaux’s Maxim detachment; Messrs David Wolfe, Bert Taylor, Walter Powell, and William Masterman (Sunderland), John Greenhalgh, Wm. Lynn, Michael Kelly, and Ernest Duffield. The vice-chair was occupied by Mr Thomas Richardson, and there would be fully 150 present. After the health of the King had been honoured, the proceedings were opened with a song by Master William Usher, “The British Soldier’s Grave”.
Mr David Wolfe gave “The Army, Navy, and Volunteer Forces”, and coupled with it the name of Quartermaster Gee.
Captain Gee, in replying, said he felt very proud to be a member of his Majesty’s forces. He had been now a member for 33 years.
Major Bernard, in handing over to Private USHER the presents, which consisted of a gold albert and medal, a gold scarfpin set with a large brilliant, and a gold dress ring for Mrs Usher, said they were subscribed for by the inhabitants of Silksworth and several friends in Sunderland.
Private USHER was received with applause. He thanked them all very sincerely for the beautiful presents to himself and wife. In regard to the war, he assured them he was very glad to get home again. He had seen some very rough work out in South Africa, and he sincerely hoped that his services would not again be needed. However, should the occasion arise, he was prepared to do his duty as a soldier. (Loud applause).
Mr Michael Kelly proposed “Our Visitors”, and coupled with it the committee and subscribers. This was seconded by Mr Ernest Duffield, and was drunk with musical honours.
Mr Thomas Richardson (vice-chairman) proposed “The Health of the Host and Hostess”, and this was seconded by Major McKenzie. Mr Richardson replied to the toast, and mentioned that Major Vaux had intended being present, but at the last moment found he could not attend.
SILKSWORTH.
On Saturday night a smoking concert was held at the Vue Arms, Silksworth, for the purpose of making a presentation to Privates Bert FOLEY and John RIDLEY, who have returned from South Africa after serving over 18 months. Private FOLEY belongs to the 1st Durham Light Infantry, and was called up as a first-class Reservist. Private John RIDLEY left Silksworth nine years ago, and went to Kimberley. He volunteered in Thorneycroft’s Horse.
Sergt.-Major Palmer, 2nd D.V.A., occupied the chair, and was supported by Major Bernard, Sergts. Boyd and Burns (2nd D.V.A.), Private Wm. USHER (Princess of Wales’s Own Yorkshire Regiment), Private James Birkett (1st D.L.I.), Private Daniel Richardson (3rd D.L.I.), Sergt.-Major Gurney (drill instructor, 2nd D.V.A.), Mr Ernest Duffield, and the two guests, Privates FOLEY and RIDLEY. The vice-chairs were occupied by Messrs Thos. Richardson and Michael Kelly, and there would be fully 200 present.
Telegrams were read from Major McKenzie, Lieutenants Thompson and Ritson (2nd Durham Volunteer Artillery) and Mr D. Wolfe (Sunderland) regretting inability to attend.
Mr George Horsley gave “The Army, Navy, and Volunteer Forces”, and the toast was replied to by Sergt.-Major Palmer.
Major Bernard made the presentations to Private FOLEY, a gold curb albert and medal suitably inscribed, a gold dress ring and gold-mounted brooch for Mrs Foley, and to Private RIDLEY a gold curb albert and medal, a gold signet ring, and gold sleeve-links and studs, the value of the two sets of articles being £15. Major Bernard said the articles had been subscribed for by the people of Silksworth.
Private FOLEY gave a graphic description of the various engagements he had gone through.
Private RIDLEY also replied.
The health of the host and hostess was proposed by Mr Thomas Richardson, and replied to on behalf of Mr Simpson by Mr Ernest Duffield.
A capital programme was given by Messrs Thomas Richardson (York), George Fletcher, M. Harrison (Ryhope), T. Smith, Thomas Gusty, Private B. FOLEY, Private P. Foley, Jas. Fletcher, Geo. Fletcher, Wm. Derby (negro song and dance), and the Brothers Smith (duettists). Mr John Greenhalgh kindly offered his services as pianist.
SILKSWORTH.
On Saturday night, under the auspices of the friendly societies in Silksworth, a concert was held in the Volunteer Drill Hall, Silksworth, the occasion being a presentation to Private Robert KELLY, of the 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, who has returned from South Africa.
Mr Thomas Richardson took the chair. The vice-chairs were occupied by Messrs Joseph Malley, Wm. Lynn, and John Mallaney. Among the visitors were Major McKenzie, 2nd D.R.G.A. (who presided later in the evening); Major Ernest Vaux, D.S.O.; Captain Le Pelley, R.G.A.; Major Bernard and Captain Thompson, 2nd D.R.G.A.; Captain Manning, Royal Navy; Capt. Parker and Lieut. Gee, R.G.A.; Sergeant-Majors Palmer and Gurney; Sergts. Hedley, W. Mould, and A. Hogg, 2nd D.R.G.A.; Privates KELLY and Stephenson, 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers; Privates FOLEY and Richardson, Durham Light Infantry; Private USHER, 1st Yorks; Corporal Fairley, 3rd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, and over 300 ladies and gentlemen.
After the loyal toast, Mr David Wolfe (Sunderland) submitted “The Navy, Army, and Volunteer Forces”, which was replied to by Capt. Manning (Navy), Capt. Le Pelley (Army), and Major Vaux (Volunteer forces).
Trumpeter Geo. Dunn gave a recitation composed by himself on “Private Kelly’s Reception Home”.
Major Bernard handed over to Private KELLY a gold curb albert and medal, which bore the inscription, “Presented to Private R. Kelly, 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, by the inhabitants of Silksworth as a token of their esteem and for services rendered out in South Africa. March 15th, 1902”. There was also a gold ring for Mrs Kelly, and a life-size oil painting of Private KELLY in khaki, enclosed in a gilt frame, was handed over by Mr W.E.J. Church, Sunderland, as a personal gift to Private KELLY.
Private KELLY, in returning thanks, said he could assure them he had only done his duty. He also acknowledged their extreme kindness in looking after his wife and family during the time he was in South Africa.
Mr John Davison, of the Colliery Inn, supplied the refreshments. The arrangements were under the supervision of Messrs Richardson (chairman), Andrew McClure (secretary), George Horsley (treasurer), Ernest Duffield, and Michael Kelly.
The programme was admirably rendered by Messrs Will Simmey, W. Hasty, Bert Taylor, W. Leask and Lieut. Gee (of Sunderland), Mr Matt. Harrison (Ryhope), Captain Manning, R.N., Thos. Robinson, George Road, Geo. Dunn, Wm. Derby, Thomas Gusty, J.T. Brown (Silksworth), Mr W. Oughton (cornet solo), and others.
Silksworth.
