County: Middlesex
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 22/11/1902
Number issued: 18
Gold medals, to:
9229 Private Alexander STIRLING
8154 Private Frederick ORME
4247 Corporal John SKATES
3053 Sydney James HILLIER (absent – Woolwich Hospital)
11420 Lance-Corporal Harry PAINTER
Reverse: "SOUTHALL / RESERVISTS / F. ORME".
SOUTHALL RESERVISTS’ RETURN.
COMMEMORATION DINNER AND PRESENTATION.
It may be safely said of the committee of the Southall-Norwood Army Reservists’ Fund as a corporate body that they lived well and died happily, as the following facts, together with the particulars of the dinner and presentation of gold medallions to returned soldiers on Saturday last will show.
……. Mr B.G. Hanson, C.C., the chairman of the fund, presided at Saturday’s function, which was held at Messrs Monsted’s dining hall. Gratuitously lent to the committee, the hall had been tastefully decorated with devices, bunting and flags, and a prettily-draped stage had been erected, along the front of which read in large white characters, “Welcome to our heroes”.
……. The Chairman then announced that he had a pleasing duty to perform in introducing them to their worthy member, Mr James Bigwood, who would present those of them who were reservists with gold medallions in commemoration of their services. The committee would have liked to have made a similar presentation to all who had gone from Southall to the war, whether reservist, yeomanry, or soldier, and regretted they could not do so, as the fund was created solely for reservists. Mr Bigwood was only too pleased to attend and meet those brave fellows. He at once accepted the committee’s invitation to be present, for Saturday evenings did not interfere with his Parliamentary duties. In Mr Bigwood they had a trustworthy member, who did not take up the time of the House with long speeches, but who was always present to record his vote on the divisions. He was the right man in the right place, and represented everyone in the division, of whatever opinion he might be. In asking their member to make the presentation, he regretted that one of the local reservists was not able to be present that night. He was sure they would all regret to hear that Private HILLIER was at present an inmate of Woolwich Hospital. Next week it was the speaker’s intention to go to Woolwich and take the medal to HILLIER, with the kind wishes and deep sympathy of the Reservists’ Committee. He was sure the gathering would join the committee in the hope that their comrade would soon be back again with them (hear, hear).
Mr J. Bigwood, who was received with cheers on rising, said he felt is slightly incumbent on him to make a few remarks before making the presentations, in view of the reference the chairman had made to him. He wanted them to understand that at the time of their departure for the war there was a greater amount of thought, and their members of Parliament were more deeply interested in their welfare, than most of them imagined. In those deep and dark days, almost days of despair, there were those in Parliament who had their welfare at heart, and the people of Southall were, in common with the rest of the country, in sympathy with those who defended the Empire. Those who went to the front put up with all mortal man could do, to the admiration of the whole world, and those at home appreciated them.
……. Coming to the subject of their meeting together, he said he was extremely impressed with what the people of Southall had done. The selection of the medals he had been asked to present showed that they had not only consummate tact but business ability, and that they were able to see what was most efficacious. The medals were singularly interesting and ornamental, and he was sure would be deeply cherished, not only by those who would wear them, but those who come after. They would be an heirloom and a source of pleasure.
……. The hon. member then presented the medallions to the following, handing Private HILLIER’s to the chairman: – Messrs TOMLIN, F. ORME, C.H. MASSEY, A. STIRLING, R. DEAN, H. GREEN, Geo. BAKER, H. TYLER, H. HERBERT, J. SKATES, J. NEWTON, J.W. LARDNER, H. PAINTER, J. HOBSON, A. COATES, H. DENNY, S.J. HILLIER, and J. McQUEEN.
