Medals and awards

35592 Trooper Albert LITTLE

35600 Trooper Joseph AGAR

11633 Lance-Corporal [Lieutenant] William Launcelot Del STROTHER

STOCKTON’S RETURNED VOLUNTEERS.

ENTERTAINED TO DINNER.

BRILLIANT GATHERING AT THE BOROUGH HALL.

The Ancient Borough of Stockton, like other towns throughout the country, furnished a quota of brave Volunteers, who nobly responded to the call of duty and went out to South Africa to help their country. The inhabitants of Stockton will long remember the outburst of patriotism when the brave boys went away, and also when they returned. It was felt, however, that when all the Volunteers were safely home there should be some public recognition of their patriotism, and it was decided to entertain the men to dinner, and to present each man with a souvenir of the occasion. The dinner was held last night in the Borough Hall, Stockton, which presented a brilliant appearance. The hall had been tastefully decorated for the occasion, banners, flags, and shields decorating the walls, whilst over the top table was placed the motto, “For King and Country”. Colonel Sadler, M.P., Honorary Colonel of the 1st V.B.D.L.I., presided, and was supported by the Mayor of Stockton (Alderman G. Thompson), Captain H. Bowes, Lieutenant C.P. Warner, Lieutenant-Colonel J.H. Ropner, the Rev. Canon Martin, Captain and Adjutant Bridges, who represented Colonel Burdon, commanding officer of the 1st V.B.D.L.I, who was unavoidably absent; Major F.B. Watson, Major Harrison, Lieutenant Ensor, Lieutenant Grigg, Lieutenant Warwick, and ex-Sergeant W.C. Atkinson. Amongst those present in the body of the hall were Alderman J.W.P. Page, Mr G. Newby, J.P., Mr A.B. Crosby (Town Clerk of Stockton), Mr H.S. Crosby, Mr A.W. Warner, and Mr J. Luther Green, the honorary secretary of the Reception Committee. The returned Volunteers, to the number of 50, were seated at the tables immediately beneath the platform, and to each there was presented a handsome little watch chain pendant of 15-carat gold, bearing the arms of Stockton embossed on one side, and on the other the words “South African War, 1899-1902”, and the name of the recipient. An excellent dinner was served by Mrs Robinson, of the Royal Hotel. During the dinner, the band of the 1st V.B.D.L.I., under Bandmaster Robinson, played pleasing selections of music. During the after proceedings a large number of ladies watched the proceedings and listened to the speeches from the gallery. Letters of apology for absence were received from Sir Robert Ropner, M.P., and Alderman Hind, an old Volunteer of 40 years ago.

The Volunteers who were invited to be the guests of the evening were as follows: –

Private T. STEPHENSON.

The loyal toasts having been duly and enthusiastically honoured, Mr A.B. Crosby (Town Clerk) proposed “The Imperial Forces”, remarking that, being a man of peace, he had been put up to propose the most warlike toast. After paying a tribute to the patriotism of both the home and colonial Volunteers, he said he thought they hardly realised what these forces meant, if properly directed. His opinion was that, if they got all their forces from the various countries properly directed, they would have a resultant force so great and so magnificent that this country need never fear for its future in any degree. (Hear, hear). Referring to the recent schemes for the improvement of the army and navy, he thought, if these various schemes were based upon the experience they had gained, they deserved every consideration at the hands of the military and naval authorities, to see, if possible, whether some better scheme could not be brought into effect with regard to the treatment of these forces. (Hear, hear). If this country was going to do any good in the future, either with its army, navy, or auxiliary forces, they must have brains to lead, and social position must give way to brains.

THE FUTURE OF THE VOLUNTEERS.

Captain Bridges first responded, and was followed by Major F.B. Watson, who said the Volunteers had had a somewhat hard life in the past. They started in ridicule, but had ended with enthusiasm. He thought that upon the Volunteers would devolve more and more the duty in the future of defending the home country, as the Regulars would be required abroad, with the ever-growing expanse of the Empire. They formed the third line of defence, and he thought the War Office ought to take into consideration the question of how the Volunteers were to be maintained. They had existed upon certain grants in the past, but it appeared that they would have to do more in the future. Their rifle ranges were obsolete, but they still had the old grant to work upon. He thought if they were to do more they should have more facilities given them, and the wherewithal provided. (Hear, hear). He thought if some scheme could be evolved whereby each town should be called upon to raise a certain number of Volunteers, it would be a satisfactory solution. If they could not get them as Volunteers, perhaps they could get them some other way. He did not believe in conscription, but hoped that they would be able to initiate some scheme which would always give them a sufficient supply of Volunteers. (Hear, hear). He advocated compulsory drill in all their schools, and also spoke in praise of the work done by the various lads’ brigades. (Applause).

Colonel Sadler, M.P., in proposing “Our Local Volunteers for the South African War”, said he should not speedily forget, nor would anyone in that room or in the country, the trials and anxieties which surged like a great wave through this country some three years ago. How many were there of them who wondered whether the country would rise to the occasion, to an enormous emergency, and carry it through with that prestige and dignity, having regard to its past history, which it ought to do. They remembered the great wave of patriotism which passed through, not only this country, but through the whole Empire, of which they were so proud, and which had knitted them together and tied them together in a great bond of British brotherhood which would last for many years. (Applause). He was glad to feel that this country rose practically as one man to meet the danger. He referred to the anxieties which reached them, and the fear as to whether the old country done for, but it was with very great pride and satisfaction to them to know that they rose to the occasion. No one could be more sincere in his admiration for the pluck, heroism, patriotism, and loyalty which caused them to do what was right some 2½ years ago, and carry their flag to victory, and uphold it untarnished and unstained. (Applause). It was with pride and a pleasure for them to feel, after what they had gone through, that the same pluck which characterised their knightly ancestors still existed in this country, and that there was still that great heart of steel which had always existed. (Hear, hear). He was proud to think that when the 1st D.L.I. were asked what they would do, two-thirds volunteered to go and stand by the old ship. There was one shadow which they felt, and that was that there were some who had been left behind, whose bones were bleaching on the South African veldt, and who would never be restored to their friends. Still, their relatives had the consolation of knowing that they had made their sacrifice for the Empire they loved. (Applause).

The toast was received with three times three, after which Colonel Sadler presented the souvenirs to the Volunteers.

Captain H. BOWES, who first responded, said what Englishmen liked was the appreciation of their countrymen, and they had shown them how they appreciated theirs. He thanked them for the gifts they sent out to the Volunteers when they were in South Africa, and concluded by saying that they endeavoured to uphold the name of the good old regiment, which had its headquarters in the good old borough of Stockton.

The Mayor of Stockton proposed the toast of “The Chairman”, and Colonel Sadler briefly responded.

PATRIOTIC BANQUET AT STOCKTON

TO OUR CITIZEN SOLDIERS.

Speech by Colonel S.A. Sadler.

The Borough Hall, Stockton, looked charming last night under its patriotic decorations on the occasion of a public banquet to the volunteers who served in the South African War. A good company was present, over whom Colonel S.A. Sadler, M.P. (hon. Colonel of the 1st V.B.D.L.I.), presided. Supporting the gallant Colonel were the Vicar of Stockton (the Rev. Canon Martin), the Mayor of Stockton (Alderman G. Thompson), Captain Bowes, Major F.B. Watson, Colonel J.H. Ropner, Major Harrison, Lieutenant Warwick, Captain Bridges, Lieutenant Ensor, and Surgeon-Major Blandford.

The men in whose honour the banquet was given were a follows: – Captain BOWES, Lieutenant ENSOR, Lieutenant WARNER, Lieutenant WARWICK, Lieutenant GRIGG, Lieutenant Del’STROTHER, Sergeants BERRY, LOGAN, WILKINSON, BLOVAN [sic], Lance-Corporal HASTINGS, Bugler CLARKE, Privates ALCOCK, H. BROWN, C.W. BROWN, J. BROWN, BURDON, DUCK, DYSART [sic], EVANS, FOX, KELLY, REED, A.E. RICHARDSON, A. RICHARDSON, SMELT, THORNTON, WALLACE, J. AGAR, LOFTHOUSE, OXLEY, INGRAM, STABLER, HOLIDAY [sic], LITTLE, HASTE, HOWE, WATSON, RUSSELL, RAW, HOGG, WALKER, HEAPS, FOWLER, COLPITTS, APPLEBY, FLETCHER, HARTON, JACKSON, and STEPHENSON.

The spread was very elaborately laid out and served by Mrs Robinson, of the Royal Hotel.

The Chairman gave the Royal toasts, which were enthusiastically received.

The Town Clerk (Mr A.B. Crosby) submitted the toast “The Imperial Forces”. He said he thought they hardly realised what those forces meant. His opinion was that if they could only get those forces from all over the country properly directed, they would have a force so great and magnificent that this country need never fear for its future. That brought him to the subject of the regulations that had been issued recently with regard to the army and navy and volunteers. His opinion was that in regard to the War Office, if the various ideas were based upon the experiences which they had received in the late South African war, then he ventured to say they deserved every consideration at the hands of those interested in the military and naval matters to see if by their means some better system could be brought into vogue in respect to the treatment of the various forces of that country. If the country was to do anything in the future, either with its army, navy or auxiliary forces, it must be that brains shall lead, and social position shall give way to the brains. It was time that this country, in military matters, the same kind of thing should exist as existed in regard to education. There should be a military ladder, up which anyone should be able to climb, step by step, until they reached the topmost rung. (Hear, hear, and applause).

The toast was received with “Rule Britannia”.

Captain Bridges and Major F.B. Watson responded. The latter-named officer remarked that in the late war, the volunteers started in ridicule and ended in enthusiasm. The defence of the country devolved more and more upon the Volunteers.

The Chairman gave the toast of “Our local Volunteers who served in the South African War”. He prefaced his speech with one or two humorous tales, and then went on to speak of the time when the Volunteers came forward to do service for their country in South Africa. On that occasion they remembered the great wave of patriotism that flowed through the whole Empire, of which they were so proud. He admired their pluck, their heroism, their patriotism, and their loyalty when they volunteered and went forward three-and-a-half years ago to carry the flag of Old England to victory, and to preserve it untarnished and unstained. He admired them the same today. (Applause). It was, indeed, a proud and pleasant thing to find that the same grit, and the same pluck which characterised our ancestors, characterised us today. One unfortunate shadow passed over the cloud during that extraordinary exemplification of loyalty. That shadow came like “a bolt from the blue, and his blood boiled at the time. He referred to the infamous slanders which were cast upon the pluck of the British soldiers, and also upon their humanity. No doubt many of them at home, with the flush upon their cheeks, would like to have torn the heart and tongue out of the men who uttered those lies. (Applause). But glad was he to see that the lie was nailed to the counter, and that the enemy themselves, before many months were past, gave testimony not only to the gallantry and the chivalry of the British soldier, but also to his humanity to the suffering and dying, whether they belonged to his own regiment or to the enemy. (Hear, hear, and applause). Another shadow which passed over them at that moment was the knowledge that there were some left behind whose bones bleached on yonder veldt, and who would never return to their friends; but there was also the knowledge that they died in their country’s service, and their memory would remain dear amongst their comrades. (Hear, hear, and applause).

The toast was enthusiastically received.

PRESENTATION OF BADGES.

The Chairman presented each of the volunteers with a gold badge, inscribed upon which were the names of the recipients, beneath the words “South African War 1899-1902”.

Captain BOWES and Lieutenant WARNER replied to the toast.

“The health of the Chairman” was proposed by the Mayor of Stockton, and duly honoured.

Those who contributed to the harmony of the evening were: – Messrs J. Henderson, A.W. Henderson, A.E. Riley, E.R. Winpenny, A. Bellwood, and H.D. Wheatley. The arrangements were successfully carried out under the direction of Mr J. Luther Green (deputy Town Clerk), who acted as honorary secretary to the fund which was formed for the purpose of entertaining the local heroes.

 

 

 

Transcription of the names of the 1st V.B.D.L.I. men from Stockton who served in South Africa.

Inscribed on a memorial plaque in St Thomas' Parish Church, Stockton-on-Tees (west end of north aisle).

Courtesy of the North East War Memorials Project.

 

 

 

   War Souvenir given to school children in Stockton, Thornaby and Norton. A gift from Colonel and Mrs Ropner.

 

 

 

 

Stockton Herald, 25th October 1902 

 

[As a Regular, Colour-Sergeant Colpitts did not receive a Stockton medal] 

 

STOCKTON SOLDIER’S RETURN.

Presentation to Colour-Sergeant Colpitts.

A pleasing function took place the other evening at Mr George Gowland’s Oxbridge Hotel, when Colour-Sergeant T. COLPITTS, of the 1st Batt. D.L.I., was presented with several articles, subscribed for by a few friends, in recognition of his services with the colours, and his safe return from South Africa. The presentation consisted of a tantalus spirit frame, a case of silver-mounted pipes, and a case of toilet brushes, all suitably inscribed.

Mr Bell (secretary of the Licenced Victuallers’ Association), occupied the chair, whilst Mr Stead was in the vice-chair.

After the usual loyal and other toasts had been enthusiastically drunk, Mr Bell made the presentation. He said how pleased he was personally, and he knew that he was expressing the feeling of the whole company, when he welcomed his friend Colpitts back safe and sound. Sergeant Colpitts had served with the colours for a period of nine years, and now went into the reserve for three years. He was one of the first batch ordered out to South Africa, and saw a deal of real hard fighting from the start. On arrival he was immediately sent up to the front under General Buller, and he took part in all the engagements relative to the crossing of the Tugela, the battles of Colenso, Spion Kop, and Vaal Krantz. Unfortunately, in the latter engagement, in which the Durhams were in the fighting line, their friend Colpitts was wounded, sent down to the base hospital, and after suffering from enteric, was invalided home. After being at home a few months, on his recovery he was again sent out, this time to do duty on the line of communication, at Ermelo, Standerton, and other places. In concluding, the speaker said he could not sit down without complimenting Host G. Gowland for the way in which he, with the assistance of Mr A. Laud, had gathered in the subscriptions, which, as they could see by the good things before them, had resulted in a very substantial amount. (Applause).

“The Health of Sergeant Colpitts” was drunk with great enthusiasm, accompanied with musical honours.

Sergeant Colpitts suitably responded, and said if they would only place him under General Buller’s command he was quite ready to go out anywhere and do his duty again.

During the evening songs were rendered at intervals by Messrs C. Philpott, W. Henderson, G. Gowland, T, Smiles, Mr Stead, J. Weatherell, W.A. Trees, and others. J. Weatherell was in excellent voice, and sang such fine songs as “Gathered”, “Who deeply drinks of wine”, “The Wolf”, and others. T. Smiles gave “The Dandy Coloured Coon”, and “The Sheeny Man” in his best style. W.A. Trees’ drolleries were much enjoyed. His “Come down and open the door” was very funny. Mr B. Wheatley was the accompanist.