Medals and awards

3935 Trooper Thomas James SIDDLE

 

 

 

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Penrith Observer, 6th August 1901

 

HONOURING LOCAL YEOMEN.

PRESENTATION AT TIRRIL.

On Saturday evening a very interesting ceremony took place at Tirril. The inhabitants of this picturesque village are always ready to do honour to any of their neighbours whenever an opportunity offers, and it was not to be expected that they would allow the fact that one of their number had brought credit on himself and on the village by fighting for his country as an Imperial Yeoman to pass without fitting acknowledgement. As soon as it was known that the 24th Company were coming home, and that Trooper J.T. SIDDLLE, son of Mr F. Siddle, Queen’s Head Hotel, was among the number a committee was formed for the purpose of marking the appreciation of the services of Trooper SIDDLE, felt by his fellow-villagers. The response was ready and generous, and the committee within a short time found themselves in possession of a sum of money which would allow them to present Trooper SIDDLE a memento worthy of the occasion.

There being no room in the village large enough to accommodate the whole of the villagers, it was decided to make the presentation on the village green. Mr J. Davidson, Penrith, was asked to make the presentation on account of his long connection with the Westmorland and Cumberland Yeomanry, and of the great friendship existing between him and the family of the man to be honoured. Unfortunately, he was not able to be present on Saturday, and his placed was filled by Mr C. Bird, Thorpe. By eight o’clock almost the whole of the villagers of Tirril had assembled about the stone steps which are the only remaining parts of the ancient village cross, and they were joined by friends from Yanwath, Penrith, Sockbridge, Pooley Bridge, Askham, and Lowther, the gathering being the largest seen in the village for many years.

Mr Bird said he supposed he was called upon to lead on that occasion for the simple reason that he was chairman of their parish meeting, and if ever he felt pleased at holding that position in the parish it was that night, since it gave him the opportunity of expressing the feelings of the parishioners towards a worthy family. (Applause). They were met to do honour to one of England’s brave sons, who at the call of duty left his home and friends and went out to fight for his country thousands of miles across the sea. (Applause). It was during the very darkest days of the present war that the call was made for volunteers, and it required a brave heart to come forward. The Boers had shown that they were not an enemy who were conquered easily, and it was well known that whoever went to South Africa to fight carried his life in his hands. The danger was great, but that did not deter men from offering their services. (Applause). It never had and he felt certain it never would be the case that Englishmen were kept back from doing their duty by the danger of the enterprise. (Applause). It had always been the principle of Englishmen to stand up for their country and their rights without thinking of the consequences, and it was that spirit which filled the breasts of the men who went out with the Imperial Yeomanry and the Volunteers. (Applause). That was the spirit which actuated their good friend Trooper SIDDLE, and now he had come back safe and sound, having done his duty to his King and country like a brave man, they would be sadly lacking in their duty if they did not show that they appreciated the efforts of their friend. (Applause). It was because they were anxious to show their friend that they did appreciate his services that they had gathered in such numbers on that occasion, and he had much pleasure in asking Trooper SIDDLE to accept that gold albert and medallion, and a gold horse-shoe breast pin. The inscription on the medallion was: “Presented to Trooper J.T. Siddle, 24th Company I.Y., by his Tirril and Yanwath friends on his return from South Africa. 1901”. (Applause).

Trooper SIDDLE said he wished to thank all his friends for their great kindness to him, and for those very handsome presents, which he would value as long as he lived. (Applause). It was very nice to have such receptions as he and his comrades had met with since their return, but he could not help asking himself if what they had done was deserving of such recognition. They had certainly had some very rough times, but then they did not expect anything else when they went out. None of them thought they would be as well fed and as lightly worked as when they went up for the annual training, so that they did not think so much of the hardships. All the same they were all pleased to get back home. (Applause). There was one thing he could truly say, and that was that if he was wanted to go out again, he would be ready and willing, and he believed there would be very few men in England but would willingly do the same. (Applause). He did not know how he could thank them for their kindness; he could only tell them that he would never forget the reception they had given him. (Applause).

Mr F. Siddle proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Bird, the committee and the subscribers. He said he felt exceedingly pleased to think that one of his sons should have been so highly honoured by his fellow villagers. He was proud that one of his boys should have been privileged to fight for his King and country, and if anything could make that feeling stronger it was the fact that his fellowmen recognised and appreciated his services. (Applause).

Mr Bird, in reply, said that reception had been well earned. The collection of subscriptions for the testimonial had been one of the pleasantest jobs he had taken part in, and there was no wonder. Mr F. Siddle and his family had endeared themselves to the people of the district by their geniality and kind-heartedness, and in honouring Trooper SIDDLE they also honoured his family. (Applause).