County: Aberdeenshire
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 14/12/1901
Number issued: 1
Gold chain & pendant, to:
Presentation made by Provost Hutcheon, in Turriff Town Hall.
Inscribed: "Presented to Private J. Young, who served in South Africa, 1900".
INTERESTING PRESENTATION.
The members of the Turriff Volunteer Company have recently acquired a lease from Mr William Skene, builder, of the property known as Chalmers’ Schools, and converted the premises into drill halls, armoury, etc. In order to provide the necessary funds to furnish the halls, a committee was appointed to organise a concert. …….
There was a crowded house, and the chair was occupied by Mr G.A. Duff of Hatton, who, in the course of a few interesting remarks, congratulated the Turriff Company, 2nd V.B.G.H. on the manner in which Turriff and district had rallied around them. Mr Duff proceeded to refer to the patriotic and courageous part played by the volunteers in the South African war. During the past two years they had gone to the front in large numbers, some to return to receive honour from their countrymen, but, alas! many to find a grave on the veldt never more to return. The volunteers had done a great service to the country, and deserved the highest praise. …….
Towards the close of the programme the chairman called upon Provost Hutcheon to make a presentation to Private James YOUNG, late of the 2nd Gordon Highlanders, and previously a member of the local volunteer corps. The Provost, who was received with loud applause, after alluding to his previous connection with the company and to the deep interest he still felt in its welfare, remarked that nothing could better illustrate the value of the volunteer movement than the martial and national spirit which it fostered, and which led YOUNG along with thousands of our best and bravest to forsake for a time the pursuits of civic industry and leave country, home, and kindred to fight for Queen and country, upholding the flag that is never unfurled save for peace, justice, and freedom. At Doornkop YOUNG was shot through the body, the bullet entering at the breast and passing out at the back, and for two months lay in hospital. The Gordon Highlanders of Turriff now congratulated him on his recovery, and in token of their admiration of his courage presented him with a chain, which they hoped he might long live to wear.
The gold chain, with pendant, bore the following inscription: – “Presented to Private J. Young, who served in South Africa, 1900”. Private YOUNG saluted on receipt of the gift, and retired from the platform amid the applause of the audience. …….
