Medals and awards

"The inhabitants of the district gave £150, and seven men volunteered for active service. Some time since the Welcome Home Committee presented each man with a £10 note, and spent £15 in medals for them" (Manchester Courier, 11/05/1903).

FLIXTON AND URMSTON VOLUNTEERS.

The procession was very effectively arranged and proceeded in excellent order. The line of route was Croft’s Bank Road, Railway Road, Moss Road. Church Road, Chassen Road, Flixton Road, Croft’s Bank Road, and Derby Road to Mr Sutton’s field.

There were many spectators. A number of private houses were decorated with flags and across the roads in many places were streamers. One house in Croft’s Bank Road in which a large stuffed lion formed the centre of an effective tableau deserves special mention. Not the least charming feature of the procession was the schoolchildren. On arrival at the field in Derby Road, the spectators were formed into a horseshoe shaped gathering, a platform being at the top of the enclosure. The members of the Reception Committee and the various Councils, &c., were on the platform. Dr Clegg presided. The proceedings opened with a short prayer by the Rev. C.B. Jones, curate of Urmston. The massed bands then played “God save the King”.

The Chairman read a letter of regret from Mr O. Leigh Clare, M.P., in which he said that business and Parliamentary engagements made it totally impossible for him to leave London. The letter concluded with a hearty wish for the success of the welcome. The Rev. T.D. Harland, Mr S.J. Reade, of Flixton, and Mr C.C. Hooley sent letters of regret.

Dr Clegg said that the country had been touched and surprised at the response which had been made to the invitation of the War Office for Volunteers. He pointed out how well it spoke of the Volunteers who had gone out to South Africa at such a sacrifice of time and money and in many cases life. He referred to the splendid work of the Manchester Regiment at Caesar’s Camp. He thought as long as memory served the welcome home day would be handed down in the annals of Urmston and Lancashire. A touching reference to the sad death of Private J.W. COOPER, who died a few days after coming home from South Africa, preluded the announcement that the purse of gold (£10) and the engraved medal intended for Private COOPER would be handed to his father.

Dr Clegg then called and presented to Lance-Corporal C.P. BONE, Lance-Corporal H. HOPWOOD, and Private A. WOOD, a purse containing £10 and a medal. To each recipient the doctor made a few suitable remarks. The name of Private W.J. COOPER was called, all standing bareheaded, but there was no response, but away at the back of the gathering a bugler sounded the “Last Post”, in memory of the dead man, a touching little incident, as when the bands accompanying the procession played a quick-step when passing the dead man’s house, “The Vacant Chair”.

The medals are of gold, the clasp being formed of the Royal Arms surmounted by a crown. Around the edge of the medal in white enamel lettering on a dark blue background are the words, “To Volunteers returned from the front”. The reverse bears the inscription: – “Presented to (the recipient’s name) 2nd V.B. Manchester Regiment and Volunteer Company 1st Manchester Regiment Field Force, South Africa, 1900-1, by the people of Urmston, Flixton, and Davyhulme, as a mark of appreciation of his services to his country”.

The three recipients made brief, modest, and soldierly acknowledgements of the gifts and the honours bestowed on them.

Mr John Newton proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman.

Mr Sharpe, in seconding, dwelt on the pleasure it gave him to see so many schoolchildren there and admonished them never to forget that day. The example of obedience and carrying out a duty was for them a very good one.