Medals and awards

PARISH OF WEMYSS RESERVISTS, YEOMEN, AND VOLUNTEERS.

BANQUET AND PRESENTATION.

A short time ago it was resolved that the Parish of Wemyss should not be behind their neighbours in giving those who had been at South Africa a hearty reception on their return home, and a “Welcome Committee” was accordingly appointed. After holding a meeting, it was unanimously agreed that a banquet be given in honour of the reservists, yeomen, and volunteers home from the front residing in the parish. The Gardeners’ Hall, Buckhaven, presented a pretty appearance last night when a large and representative gathering assembled at a banquet to do honour to the fourteen men residing in the district. The returned heroes, who occupied a prominent place in the hall, were the following: – Sergeant R. HAZLEWOOD, Methil; Sergeant BOWMAN, Buckhaven; Corporal HUNTER, Buckhaven; Private B. BROWN, Wellsgreen; Private Michael COYLE, Methil; Private David PULLAR, Crossroads; Private Alex. CARR, Buckhaven; Private J. MORGAN, West Wemyss; Private D. HUTTON, Methilhill; Piper James ROBERTSON, Buckhaven; Private McLACHLAN, East Wemyss, Private John DUNIGAN, Buckhaven; Private Charles STEWART, Riverside; and Trooper Andrew THOMSON, Thorneycroft’s Mounted Infantry.

Colonel Johnston occupied the chair, and was supported on the platform by a large and representative company. After a splendid repast had been partaken of, the following toast list was carried through with great enthusiasm: – “The King”, by the Chairman; “Queen Alexandra, Duke and Duchess of York and Cornwall, and other members of the Royal Family”, by the Chairman.

Colonel Johnston next presented each of the men with a gold medallion, suitably inscribed, in commemoration of their services in South Africa, and highly complimented them on the manner in which they had conducted themselves while fighting for their country.

WEMYSS YEOMEN AND RESERVISTS.

ENTERTAINED TO DINNER.

On Friday night the yeomen, volunteers, and reservists belonging to the parish of Wemyss who have returned from the front were entertained to dinner in the Free Gardeners’ Hall, Buckhaven. Colonel Johnston, Wemyss, of the 1st F.A.V., presided, and the following guests were present: – Sergeant HAZLEWOOD, Methil; Sergeant BOWMAN, Corporal HUNTER, Privates CARR and DUNIGAN, and Piper ROBERTSON, Buckhaven; Privates MORGAN and McLAUCHLAN, Wemyss; BROWN, Wellsgreen; PULLAR and COYLE, Methil; STEWART, Riverside; and Trooper A. THOMSON, Buckhaven. After an excellent dinner, served by Mr Robertson, Methil, the Chairman gave the loyal toasts.

Mr J.A. Ross, Buckhaven, gave “The Imperial and Colonial Forces”, and, after congratulating the guests on their return, said it had been a question whether Britain would remain the world-wide Empire, or be driven out of South Africa. They had given an answer, and how best to maintain their position was now the consideration. Some said conscription, but he did not think the country would swallow that. In the development of the volunteer system lay the real solution.

Surgeon-Major Graham, Leven, and Lieutenant Mitchell, Buckhaven, replied.

Colonel Johnston proposed “The Yeomen and Reservists”, and spoke with pride of the way in which class after class of the reserves nobly responded, and the eagerness of the Yeomanry to get to the front, and of the stirring response by the volunteers. At the close he presented each of the guests with a gold medallion.