County: Cheshire
Issued on: Return
Dates of presentations: 02/05/1900
Number issued: 1
PRESENTATION TO THE REV. GENTLEMAN.
An interesting presentation was witnessed on Wednesday by a considerable number of people at the meeting of the Winsford Urban Council. It was a presentation on behalf of the town to the Rev. Mr HORDERN, who has been staying with his father-in-law at St Chad’s Vicarage, Winsford.
It took the form of a solid silver Diamond Jubilee medal enclosed in a handsome case, inscribed: – “Presented by the town of Winsford to the Rev. A.V.C. Hordern, chaplain of Her Majesty’s forces, in commemoration of his humane and valuable services associated with the memorable defence of Ladysmith, South Africa, which was besieged by the Transvaal Boers from the 2nd November, 1899, to the 1st of March, 1900, when the British Army, under Sir Redvers Buller, relieved the hard-pressed and heroic garrison. May 2nd, 1900”.
In acknowledging the presentation Mr HORDERN mentioned that on Ash Wednesday morning he was at morning service, and there was a special prayer in which occurred the words: – “All mine enemies shall be ashamed and sore vexed; they shall turn back, they shall be ashamed suddenly”. The word suddenly struck him forcibly, and he took it as a direct message from God, and the men were greatly encouraged. Lying in his tent at night he fancied he heard the sound of a British cheer. Again he heard it, this time plainly. When he went out people were running towards the hills. Cavalry could be seen, but there was a doubt as to whether they were Boers or British. Then a twelve-pounder on Caesar’s Hill began to pour shot after shot on Bulwana, and there came no answer. The cavalry eventually turned out to be Colonials, and when the garrison heard their cheers there was a great scene.
PRESENTATION TO A LADYSMITH CHAPLAIN AT WINSFORD.
WINSFORD.