County: County Durham
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 17/11/1902
Number issued: 1
Gold medal, to:
Private Hoey also received a silver watch & albert.
Watch inscribed: "Presented to BRO. PTE J. HOEY BY THE MEMBERS OF THE A.I.C. CLUB AS A MARK OF ESTEEM FOR SERVICES RENDERED IN SOUTH AFRICA NOV 17TH 1902".
WELCOME FROM THE FRONT.
The members of the Alexandra Inn Cork Club assembled at the Old Mill Inn, Southwick, last night to welcome home Private J. HOEY, of the Northumberland Fusiliers. The long room of the inn was crowded by an enthusiastic gathering, over which Mr J. Baston presided, in the absence of Major E. Vaux. Mr H. Storey occupied the vice-chair.
The Chairman said that the presents were from the members of the club as a token of respect and esteem to a brother of the club. Some people were of the opinion that cork clubs were ridiculous. That was a wrong idea, as they assisted charities. Private HOEY sent on to them from South Africa the remittance to become a member of their club, and they forwarded him his “cork”. They were exceedingly pleased to see him come back safe amongst them. The campaign that Bro. HOEY had gone through had been a hard one, and one of the pleasant features of it was the hearty support forthcoming from the colonies. He was pleased to say that one little colony – he meant Southwick – had contributed a fair share of men for the front. Some, he was sorry to say, did not come home, but many did. In conclusion, he asked Private HOEY to accept the silver lever watch and albert, and also a gold medal.
Private HOEY, who was received with prolonged applause, feelingly responded. He has three South African medals, and will also receive the King’s medal later on. He has also the Khartoum and Soudan medals of 1898, under Lord Kitchener; was drafted out with his battalion in 1899 at the commencement of hostilities in South Africa, and went through the whole of the campaign. He was at Stormberg with General Gatacre, and afterwards was under Generals Clements and Knox.
