County: Somerset
Issued on: Departure
Date of presentation: 12/01/1900
Number issued: 1
Gold medal, to:
48th (North Somerset) Company, 7th Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –
2464 Corporal William Robert VOWLES
Presentation made by Mr Henry Butt (ex-captain of the Fire Brigade), on Weston-super-Mare railway station platform.
Inscribed: "Weston-super-Mare Fire Brigade, presented to Driver R. Vowles as a token of regard upon his joining the Imperial Yeomanry for service in South Africa, January, 1900".
Note: Vowles used "Robert" as his first name: hence the discrepancy (see WO128).
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Western Daily Press, 13th January 1900
The men left for Bath by the 1.35 train, but long before this the platform was crowded. Mr Henry Butt (ex-captain of the Fire Brigade), on behalf of the brigade, presented Trooper VOWLES – who for a considerable period has had the horsing of the fire engine – with a gold medal, inscribed as follows: – “Weston-super-Mare Fire Brigade, presented to Driver R. Vowles as a token of regard upon his joining the Imperial Yeomanry for service in South Africa, January, 1900”. In making the presentation, Mr Butt said the brigade gave it as a proof of the esteem in which they held their late comrade, and as an acknowledgment of his many services to the brigade. They were proud to think he was going to serve his Queen and country, and they wished him and the other Volunteers every success and a safe return. Might they add honour to their names. (Cheers). He wished them God speed. (Cheers). Trooper VOWLES, who was the centre of a good deal of enthusiasm, was not given an opportunity of saying anything beyond “Thank you” and “I ain’t going out to get killed”, for he was promptly hoisted on to the shoulders of several Blue Jackets and triumphantly paraded up and down the platform, headed by the Union Jack. Several other volunteers were similarly honoured, and as the train steamed out of the station hearty cheers were given. Those who are gone to Bath for training are – Sergt. H. CASTLE, Corporal TRAVIS, Troopers BLACKMORE, VOWLES, FOSTER, MOORE, P. COGLE (Yeomanry), Privates BROWN and FORD (B Company, Volunteer Rifles), Messrs Frank BAKER (formerly of the Royal Navy), LUCKMAN, MIDDLEDITCH, and MARSHALL.
Shepton Mallet Journal, 19th January 1900
Friday afternoon there was an enthusiastic scene at the Railway Station, Weston-super-Mare, the occasion being the departure of those whose offers of service with the Imperial Yeomanry in South Africa had been accepted, the men travelling to Bath, where the North Somerset contingent mobilised under the command of Major Sherston, formerly of the Hussars, and a nephew of Lord Roberts, the Commander-in-Chief in South Africa. A crowd, numbering fully 2000, had assembled on the up platform, and accorded a splendid ovation to the members. Prior to the departure Mr H. Butt (late captain of the Fire Brigade), on behalf of the Brigade, presented Trooper VOWLES, a former member, with a handsome gold medal, bearing the inscription: – “Presented to Driver Robert Vowles, as a token of regard, on his joining the Imperial Yeomanry for service in South Africa, January, 1900”. The scene in the last few moments was of a particularly enthusiastic description, Seaman B. Dunn, of H.M.S. Excellent, and Seamen J. Leech and W. Marsham, of H.M.S. Vivid – who bore a handsome Union Jack upon a pole, as well as smaller patriotic bunting – shouldered several of the departing members to their carriages, the crowd meanwhile shouting and cheering vociferously. Hundreds pressed round the windows of the respective compartments in order to obtain a parting handshake, and when at length the train slowly steamed from the station the cheering redoubled.
