State: Aberdeenshire
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 23/05/1901
Number issued: 1
Gold medal, to:
1st Volunteer Active Service Company, Gordon Highlanders –
V/108 Private William GEDDES
Presentation made by Rev. A. Wilson, in the Ythan Wells Public School.
Medal inscribed: "Presented to Volunteer Wm. Geddes, 1st Service Company, V.B.G.H., by the parish of Ythan Wells in recognition of his services in South Africa. 1900-1901".
The medal has "the Gordon crest of a stag's head encircled in ivy, and underneath the motto, 'Bydand'".
Note: the above description suggests that this medal had the same obverse as the Huntly & Ordiquhill tributes.
Aberdeen Press & Journal, 25/05/1901
Banffshire Journal, 28/05/1901
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Aberdeen Press & Journal, 25th May 1901
HONOURING A YTHAN WELLS VOLUNTEER.
Private W. GEDDES, 1st Volunteer Service Company Gordon Highlanders, who was wounded in the foot at Krugersdorp while gallantly helping rescue two guns that had been put out of action, and who had, consequently, to return from the front several months ago, was publicly presented with a gold medal and field glass in the Ythan Wells Public School on Thursday night. There was a good attendance, and Mr J.S. McPherson, Schoolhouse, being called to the chair, made an appropriate speech, in which he complimented the Gordons on their achievements in South Africa. He then called upon Rev. A. Wilson, Ythan Wells, to make the presentation. Mr Wilson, in a very neat speech, described the medal as being a very suitable one for a Gordon Highlander, having the Gordon crest of a stag’s head encircled in ivy, and underneath the motto, “Bydand”. One explanation of the motto, he said, was that once, when the Gordons were very hard pressed, an officer, who at the time was standing on a rock, and was giving an order which commenced with “Bide”, was shot down before he got the order finished. He thought it a very appropriate word in connection with the Boer movement just now. If the enemy would only “bide”, we should soon see what would happen. (Applause). The gift was then handed over, and Mr GEDDES very feelingly replied. There were several other speakers. The medal, which is a very handsome one, bears the following inscription: - “Presented to Volunteer Wm. Geddes, 1st Service Company, V.B.G.H., by the parish of Ythan Wells in recognition of his services in South Africa. 1900-1901”. The singing of “God Save the King” brought a very hearty meeting to a close. It is worth mentioning that Mr GEDDES is again about to volunteer in order to join the Scottish Horse, and that he has a brother – Corporal Allan GEDDES – in that regiment.
Aberdeen People's Journal, 1st June 1901
YTHAN WELLS.
Private William GEDDES, Logienewton Cottages, of the 1st Service Company of the Gordons, recently returned from South Africa, was on the 23rd ult. presented with a gold medal and field glass from the parishioners of Ythan Wells as a recognition of his service to his country. The presentation was made by Rev. A. Wilson at a gathering in the Public School. Mr McPherson, teacher, presided.
