County: Cumberland
Issued on: Return
Dates of presentations: 09/05/1901, 19/06/1902 [?]
Number issued: 17 or 21
09/05/1901 presentation
7229 Private W. WOOD
3970 Trooper James BELTON (probably received a medal at this ceremony)
Presentation made by the Mayor (Alderman Fletcher), at the Central Hotel, John Street, Workington.
19/06/1902 (potential) presentation
7495 Private E. HUDSON
There is no record of a 1902 presentation, but a published letter from Private Hudson indicates that the 2nd V.A.S.C. were expecting to receive such gifts: "I see that we are going to receive a gold chain and pendant when we return home; well, that is something to look forward to" (dated 05/06/1901).
KNOWN EXAMPLES HIGHLIGHTED IN GREEN
Inscribed: "PRESENTED TO / PTE W.H. PINE, BR. RGT / ON HIS RETURN WITH / VOLUNTEERS / FROM THE SOUTH / AFRICAN WAR BY THE / PEOPLE OF WORKINGTON / 1901".
The medal was in the form of a Maltese cross, the badge of the Border Regiment.
Private Pine example sold through Noonans, 13/03/2024.
WORKINGTON.
The Workington contingent arrived about five o’clock, and met with a warm reception. The streets were decorated, and by five o’clock the Station Road was packed with people singing patriotic airs. The names and addresses of the contingent are as follows: –
Pvt. W. WOOD, Dearham.
They were met at the Station by the Mayor and Corporation, the Rifle and Artillery Volunteers with bands, a number of Cumberland yeomanry in uniform, and members of the Reception Committee.
PATRIOTIC BANQUET LAST NIGHT.
The banquet in honour of the Volunteers returned from South Africa took place at the Central Hotel last night, when over 150 persons enjoyed a splendid spread prepared and served in a manner that reflected the greatest credit upon Mr and Mrs Kerley and a large staff of assistants. His Worship the Mayor (Alderman Fletcher), wearing his chain of office, presided, and the large gathering was thoroughly representative of all classes of people in the town and district. Mr W. Burford was pianist.
The mayor read a letter from Lieut.-Colonel Thompson, who was unable to be present owing to a severe cold. He then presented each member of the Active Service Volunteers with a handsome gold guard, with a pendant in the form of a Maltese cross, the badge of the Border Regiment, suitably inscribed. A photographer in the town also presented each man with a photograph of the scene at the station on their arrival, and a Harrington poet presented them with some lines based on the event. In making the presentation, His Worship warmly congratulated the recipients, and said the presents were not to be taken for their intrinsic value, but as a token of the feelings of the people of Workington. The men were heartily cheered as they filed up for the presents.
DINNER AT WORKINGTON.
On Thursday night the banquet arranged by the townspeople in honour of the Workington Active Service Volunteers took place at the Central Hotel, John Street, Workington. There was a large response to the invitations, and there was a representative attendance at the function. The Mayor of Workington (Mr James Fletcher) occupied the chair, and he was supported by members of the Corporation, and by the officers of the Artillery and Rifle Volunteers. All the returned Volunteers were present, their names being Sergeants MANGER and RICE, Colour-Sergeant MANN, Bugler BLEZARD, Lance-Corporals C.A. VALENTINE and SMETHURST, and Privates FRY, WOOD, PINE, TOWERS, DARBY, STEWART, GAMBLES, BARNES, ELWIN, and MOORE, and Imperial Yeoman BELTON. They wore their khaki, and were seated on the right and left of the Mayor. After the removal of the cloth, and after the usual loyal toasts had been observed, the toast of the evening, the Volunteers, was proposed by Mr T. Iredale. It was drunk with great enthusiasm, the company rising and singing “For they are jolly good fellows”. The Mayor then presented each of the men with a handsome gold albert, with pendant in the shape of a Maltese cross, the badge of the Border Regiment, bearing the inscription “Presented to ________ on his return with the Volunteers from the South African War by the people of Workington. 1901”. Each man was cheered as he passed before the Mayor and received the gift. A convivial evening was afterwards spent, other toasts being honoured, while Messrs H. Gard, and J. Scott furnished the programme of music. The arrangements, which gave every satisfaction, were carried out by a large committee, of which Mr W.C.J. Lewis was the secretary.
LETTER FROM SOUTH AFRICA.
Sir, – If you would place these few lines in the columns of your most valuable paper, I would be much obliged. I received an issue of your paper this morning dated May 3rd, and I saw the account of the welcome of the first Volunteer Company got on their return home. They deserve everything got. If we are to believe everything we hear out here from the men of the Border Regiment they have had to put up with something. I am very glad to see Workington has a little bit of patriotism left in them; yet, they had not much when we came out here, as there were only two policemen and two or three of the rising generation accompanied us to the station. But it is not that I am intending to write about. I saw in some paper or other that we, the four men that came from Workington, had received 30s before embarking at Liverpool. There was a mistake made somewhere, as we only received 27s 6d each, but it was better than “a belt in the lugg”. I see that we are going to receive a gold chain and pendant when we return home; well, that is something to look forward to. On behalf of myself and the others I will take this opportunity of thanking the members of the Rocket Brigade for their handsome present of tobacco and cigars which were very acceptable. Myself and Dick LOWTHER wish to be remembered to all workmates, and if any of them wish to send a barrel of best common ale to us they can do so without fearing that it will not be accepted. – I remain, yours, etc.
Private E. HUSDON
South Africa Field Force, June 5th, 1901.
