County: Lancashire
Issued on: n/a
Date of presentation: 06/10/1902
Number issued: 1
Gold pendant, to:
Presentation made by Colonel Blundell, on behalf of the members of the Wigan Patriotic Concert Committee, during the watch presentation ceremony, in the Drill Hall, Wigan.
Major Darlington remarked that he had a very pleasant duty to perform, and it was to ask them to pass a vote of thanks to Mr BLACKBURN, the chairman of the [Patriotic Concert] Committee, the members of the committee and the subscribers to the fund which had enabled them to do so much for the Volunteers in the district. When the call to arms came old friends rallied round the Volunteers, men who had served their time and passed through the ranks and could no longer offer their services in South Africa came forward and said they would take care that every man who went would be properly treated, and when he returned his services would be properly represented. The result of that was that they were able to raise a very large sum of money for various purposes. Each man when he went out received a sum of money and a good suit of under-clothing, and when he returned another presentation was made to him. (Applause). They were in addition able to put up that memorial. They were entirely indebted to Mr BLACKBURN, his colleagues on the committee, and the subscribers for it. ……
The resolution having been unanimously passed, Captain Ffarington Eckersley, speaking from the audience, said he was extremely proud to be called upon to respond on behalf of the subscribers to the fund for the men who came from Wigan. The battalion were justly proud of them and the people of Wigan were proud of the battalion who had furnished so many volunteers for active service in South Africa. (Applause).
The Chairman said he also wished to return thanks for the flattering words which had been uttered in reference to himself and his colleagues. They had worked hard and done their best, and they were delighted at having attained their object.
Colonel Blundell then presented to Lieutenant DURY a handsome smoking cabinet, and to each of the following members of the second service section a suitably inscribed silver chronometer watch: Corporal WAINE and Privates HOLLAND, COX, BILLINGTON, WOOD, BAINBRIDGE, and SOUTHERN.
Mr Munro and Mr Batey, fathers of the volunteers who lost their lives in the campaign, were heartily cheered as they made their way to the platform to receive from Colonel Blundell a framed certificate bearing records of their sons’ services.
At the conclusion of the proceedings Colonel Blundell said he had been asked to make a presentation to the chairman. He did not know what it consisted [of], but it afforded him much pleasure to ask Mr BLAKBURN to accept the gift.
