County: Linlithgow (West Lothian)
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 29/06/1901
Number issued: 2
Gold medallions & alberts, to:
Reverse: "South African War, 1900-1901. – To Corpl. John Smellie, Volunteer Service Company, Royal Scots, from comrades and friends. – Uphall, 29th June, 1901 – ‘For King and country’ ".
Designed by Major Cleghorne.
Honour to Uphall Volunteers.
In the Public Hall, Uphall, on Saturday last a smoking concert was held by E Coy., 8th V.B. Royal Scots, at which were entertained the two members recently returned from the front – to wit, Corpl. John SMELLIE and Pte. Joseph MILLER. Major Cleghorne presided, having on his right the guests of the evening and on his left Lieut. Nathaniel, Pte. George Pilmer, late of the 13th Light Dragoons, now the 13th Hussars, perhaps the only survivor in Scotland of the world-famous charge of the Light Brigade, and Pte. Brownwight who, though only 33 years of age, has with the Gordon Highlanders seen service in Egypt, on the Indian Frontier, in the Swaat Valley and in South Africa, having gained four medals (carrying no less than seven bars) and the Khedive’s bronze star.
In making the presentation, Major Cleghorne traversed the period of the warriors’ sojourn abroad, recalling the call for Volunteers, the enthusiastic, nay overwhelming response made thereto, the brilliant send-off given to their guests, the heartburnings of those left behind who had also volunteered, the hardships of the campaign, the eager desire when on the veldt and among the hill country to come in contact with the wily, the invisible Boer, and when the enemy was broken up into its guerrilla bands, the keen desire to return to the old country of the gallant sons who had shown the Volunteer force to be one to be relied upon and to be a power that even the most sanguine could never have dreamt of. All the old jibes and jeers that were thrown at the Volunteer as being “a fireside warrior”, as “playing at soldiers”, have been “wiped off the slate” in this prolonged war, and the world has been shown what Albion’s sons can do when threatened by a foreign foe. They are included now among those whom General Hunter recently described as the “finest soldiers in the world”, and they are participators in the splendid tribute paid by Lord Roberts when he said the British soldier was “a gentleman”.
Before the Major gave his stirring address a company of lady friends entered the hall, and on the conclusion of the speech Mrs Cleghorne handed to Corporal SMELLIE and Mrs Nathaniel to Pte. MILLER a handsome gold albert with a gold medal bearing a suitable inscription, which were received by the modest recipients amid loud and vociferous cheering. Both men made short but soldier-like replies, and a most pleasant evening was spent. Among those who contributed songs were Pte. Pilmer, “The Red, White and Blue”; Pte. Brownwright (recitation) “General Alison’s remarks to his regiment before Tel-el-Keber”; Bugler Cunningham, “The Grand Old Flag”; Corpl. Wilkie, “True till death”; Corpl. Morgan, “When other lips”; and Pte. Wood, “What Ho!”; Lance-Corpl. J. Miller, “Off to Philadelphia”; and Sergt. W. Kennedy, “Soldiers of the Queen”. Remarks were also made by Messrs Duncan and Weir, guests from Edinburgh.
