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During early March 1901, Cambridge Borough Council met to decide what actions should be taken to show the town’s appreciation of their Volunteers’ service in South Africa. Various proposals were considered, with the meeting eventually opting for a dinner and presentation of inscribed silver beakers. This distribution was to be limited to those members of the 3rd and 4th Volunteer Battalions of the Suffolk Regiment, who were either residents of the town or who were studying at the University (undergraduates & graduates). Unlike the Freedom of the Borough, the conferring of which had been sanctioned back in November 1900, Yeomen and Ambulancemen were to be excluded from this presentation.

The design of the beakers was entrusted to David Munsey, silversmith, and was based on a seventeenth-century silver “stoup” in the possession of Magdalene College buttery, dated 1682. They were straight sided cups, without handles, and were five inches high. Each weighed 12 ounces and was inscribed with the arms of the Borough & University, the badge of the Suffolk Regiment, and the words: "MONTIS INSIGNIA CALPE / A Tribute / of respect from / Town & University / to / [name, rank] / 3rd (Cambs) [or 4th (C.U.)] Vol. Batt. Suffolk Regt., / one of those who at their Country's call / left Cambridge / for service in South Africa / 1900–1901 [or 1901–1902]". Above the regimental badge, a small key represented the Freedom of the Borough.

Each of the 1901 cups has London hallmarks for 1900 and the maker’s mark “DM” into two conjoined circles (for David Munsey). The base has the impressed silversmith’s mark “MUNSEY CAMBRIDGE”.

Of all the tribute pieces I have come across in my forty-odd years of collecting, this is my absolute favourite. The simplicity of the design is beautiful, and their perfect weight and balance make them a delight to handle.

In all, some 67 stoups were presented at three ceremonies (61 on 6th May 1901; 2 on 13th June 1901; & 4 in June 1902).








After their arrival at Cambridge Railway Station at 1:45 p.m. on 6 May 1901, the Volunteers formed up and a procession made its way from there to Great St Mary’s Church, passing along Station Road, Hills Road, Regent Street, St Andrew’s Street, Sidney Street, St John's Street, and Trinity Street. The crowds that gathered to witness the Volunteers’ return packed the streets, with every coign of vantage, including the roof of the station, occupied. At various points along the route, the seething mass of humanity was so great that the police struggled to keep the route clear.

After the “crowding and crushing” of the procession it was “a blessed relief” for the men when they reached the tranquil interior of Great St Mary’s Church, where a thanksgiving service for their safe return was held. From here the men proceeded to the Guildhall via Market Hill to receive the Freedom of the Borough, and after that attended a banquet in the Corn Exchange, during which the silver stoups were distributed by the Mayoress (Miss Emily J. Taylor).

In 2018 I was lucky enough to be able to purchase the stoup that was presented to Captain George Frederick Whitmore, O.C. of the 1st Volunteer Active Service Company. With it came a series of large photographs by John Palmer Clarke, chronicling the men’s progress through the streets of Cambridge and the signing of the Freedom Roll in the Guildhall.





















The presentation of the Freedom of the Borough in the Guildhall. “The people were asked to remain stationary, in order that a photograph might be taken, ‘as a permanent record of this historic scene’, as the Mayor put it” (Cambridge Independent Press). Captain Whitmore (with black mourning armband) can be seen on the right, with the Freedom Roll open on the table in front of him.





Captain Whitmore after receiving his honorary M.A. from the University of Cambridge.“The Council of the Senate had decided to ask the Senate to recognise the patriotism and efficiency in command which had been shown by Captain Whitmore by conferring upon him the title and degree of Master of Arts” (Cambridge Independent Press).






Four Cambridge stoups. Those presented to Captain George Frederick Whitmore, Corporal Thomas Oldfield, Private Henry Arthur Jerwood and Private Frederick Henry Metcalfe. Private Metcalfe was one of the four Cambridge members of the 2nd Volunteer Active Service Company – hence the dates "1901–1902". This cup has London hallmarks for 1902.




RECIPIENTS

06/05/1901 presentation

1st Volunteer Active Service Company, 1st Bn. Suffolk Regiment –
Captain George Frederick WHITMORE
Lieutenant P. HUDSON (not on published list of recipients; absent - in Dublin)
Lieutenant George Henry MASON
46 Sergeant-Instructor Harry Augustus LOADER
6570 Sergeant R. LUKER (not on published list of recipients; absent - in S. Africa)
6532 Sergeant Alfred Ernest PITSTOW
6549 Sergeant [Lance-Corporal] Benjamin POOLEY
6569 Lance-Sergeant [Corporal] Edgar Campbell RUSSELL [Undergraduate]
6533 Corporal Thomas OLDFIELD
6589 Corporal Albert WILKINSON
6567 Lance-Corporal Frank Robert BAKER [Undergraduate]
6568 Lance-Corporal Henry ROBINSON [Graduate]
6552 Lance-Corporal Charles William RUDD
6559 Lance-Corporal William Bushell WESTLEY
6584 Lance-Corporal Charles Robert WORTHINGTON [Undergraduate]
6585 Stretcher-Bearer Fred BACCUS
6535 Private Alfred Thomas Edwin BARNARD
6536 Private Walter Charles BILLING
6537 Private George BOWYER
6566 Private John Francis CARTER [Undergraduate]
6550 Private Samuel CHAPMAN
6565 Private John Spencer COATES [Undergraduate]
6538 Private Samuel Henry COLLINS
6590 Private Charles Frederick CULLUM [Cullam]
6564 Private Maurice Fitzmaurice DAY [Undergraduate]
6539 Private Thomas DELLER [Dillar]
6540 Private Thomas George ELBORN
6541 Private Lucas Charles FROMENT
6563 Private Christopher GRAHAM
6562 Private Bernard HAIGH [Undergraduate]
6571 Private James Oswald HALDANE (not on published list of recipients, but entitled as a Cambridge University undergraduate)
6542 Private Arthur William HALLS (not on published list of recipients, but entitled as a resident of Cambridge)
6543 Private James Brummitt HAYNES
6561 Private George Percy HAYNES
6560 Private Francis Richard HOARE [Undergraduate]
6593 Private Frank HUNT
6572 Private John Hyde ILES [Graduate]
6573 Private Henry Arthur JERWOOD [Undergraduate]
6544 Private Frederick Charles KING (not on published list of recipients - died at Netley Hospital)
6545 Private Oliver LILES
6592 Private H.G. LINSDELL (not on published list of recipients, but entitled as a resident of Cambridge)
6575 Private William Lister NEWCOMBE (invalided - not on published list of recipients, but entitled as a Cambridge University undergraduate)
6574 Private Percy Arnold LLOYD-JONES (invalided - not on published list of recipients, but entitled as a Cambridge University graduate)
6546 Private John MEASURES
6547 Private Alfred Charles MOLE
6548 Private Frank William MOORE
6576 Private Henry Eckley Herbert OAKLEY [Graduate]
6577 Private Hugh Brindley OWEN [Undergraduate]
6551 Private Arthur Harry RICHARDSON
6553 Private Arthur RYAN
6578 Private Claude Victor Sainsbury SKRIMSHIRE [Undergraduate]
6579 Private Sidney SMITH [Undergraduate]
6554 Private Robert STAFFORD
6587 Private Sidney John STEWARD [Undergraduate]
6580 Private Lewis St George STUBBS [Undergraduate]
6556 Private Ernest Edward SWANN
6581 Private Maurice Llewelyn TAYLOR [Undergraduate]
6582 Private Edward Cuthbert USHERWOOD
6583 Private Marmaduke WARNER [Undergraduate]
6557 Private Frank Warboys WARRINGTON
6558 Private Horace Frank WATERS

Presentation made by the Mayoress (Miss Emily J. Taylor), in the Corn Exchange, Cambridge.


13/06/1901 presentation

1st Volunteer Active Service Company, 1st Bn. Suffolk Regiment –
6555 Private Louis Thomas STOAKLEY
6534 Private Sidney Byron ANDREWS

Presentation made by the Mayoress (Miss Taylor) in the Guildhall, Cambridge.


June 1902 presentation

2nd Volunteer Active Service Company, 1st Bn. Suffolk Regiment –
6777 Private Percival Charles CORNWELL
6779 Private Frederick Henry METCALFE
6780 Private Alfred Money RAVEN
6623 Private Frederick WILLIAMS

"The military ardour aroused by the return of the Cambridge Volunteers has not evaporated, though the men are safely returned to the bosom of their families with their silver tankards". (Cambridge Daily News, 26/06/1902).


KNOWN EXAMPLES HIGHLIGHTED IN GREEN



"The home-coming of the Cambridge Volunteers. An Illustrated Souvenir", published by the Proprietors of the Cambridge Graphic.
Cambridge Independent Press, 03/05/1901
Diss Express, 03/05/1901
Cambridge Daily News, 07/05/1901
East Anglian Daily Times, 07/05/1901
Morning Post, 07/05/1901
Cambridge Independent Press, 10/05/1901
Bury Free Press, 11/05/1901
Shetland Times, 18/05/1901
Yorkshire Post, 04/06/1901
Cambridge Independent Press, 14/06/1901
Cambridge News, 26/06/1902
Cambridge Independent Press, 14/11/1902
Forum – C.V.S. Skrimshire, Cambridge Volunteer Corps







Yorkshire Post, 14th March 1901

NOTES FROM CAMBRIDGE.

An appeal has been circulated by the Mayor for the purpose of crystallising the public welcome to be given to the home-coming Volunteers from South Africa into concrete form, and it has been decided to give to each of them – some 80 or more in number, from town and University – silver stoups duly inscribed, in addition to the dinner of welcome already announced.


Cambridge Independent Press, 4th April 1901

Whatever comes of the proposal to confer the freedom of Cambridge upon every Dick, Tom or Harry in the County who has volunteered for the war, the Committee which will arrange for their welcome home is already prepared to offer them a substantial souvenir. The silver tumblers to be presented to them – Κρητήρα πανάρτγυρον – as Odysseus would lovingly call them, are ready, and are a delight to all beholders. Each of them contains eleven ounces of silver, and is a real work of art, modelled upon an old drinking horn in the possession of Magdalene College. The name of the recipient, with the occasion of the presentation, is engraved upon the outside, and the whole is a credit to Mr Munsey, who has carried it out. I see the Committee have decided that the war will finish this year for they give the period of the war as “1900 – 1901”.


Cambridge Independent Press, 10th May 1901

THE SUFFOLKS RETURN.

RECEPTION AT CAMBRIDGE.

THE TOWN ON FETE.

Between sixty and seventy of the Suffolk contingent who had spent fourteen months in the campaign against the Boers received the freedom of the Borough of Cambridge on Monday last. By general consent, the occasion was regarded as a public holiday and the town put on festival garb. It was evident early in the day that events of an unusual kind were about to occur. Streamers and festoons of bunting, and flowers were suspended across the main thoroughfares; Royal Standards were floating from public buildings, flags were hung from house windows, children carried Union Jacks or wore khaki, and all the usual symbols of patriotic zeal were en evidence. As the day advanced dense crowds lined the thoroughfares or took their stand at every coign of vantage. Many of the streets in the centre of the town were closed to regular traffic, and rough barricades were thrown up around the Market Hill. Extra police were early drafted into the town – a wise precaution, and as it proved a very necessary one. The Mayor had at the request of certain tradespeople issued invitations to businessmen to close their establishments, and there was a general compliance with this request, some closing their premises from one o'clock onwards, and others from two o'clock to four. It was known by the committee responsible for arranging the day’s proceedings, that the contingent which had been under Captain Whitmore's command would reach Cambridge by about two o'clock. As was announced in this paper last week, the ship Templemore on which the men sailed from Cape Town, reached Southampton shortly after 10 o'clock on Friday morning. A number of people from Cambridge who had relatives or friends in the contingent were present to meet them. They soon entrained, and reached Cambridge, on the way for Bury St Edmund’s, shortly after half-past five. Here there was a stop of a few minutes, which gave Lieutenant-Colonel Lyon and other Cambridge people an opportunity of greeting their friends. Before half-past six the train had reached Bury, where Colonel Dowse met the party, and here their reception was right hearty. The Mayor of Bury voiced the public welcome, and Captain Whitmore suitably acknowledged it. All the way to the Suffolk Depot the decorated thoroughfares were lined with crowds of people who gave vent to hearty cheers as the men marched by. On Saturday the contingent was formally disbanded, but Captain Whitmore kept the men together until Monday, in order that they might share in the public welcome which Cambridge had decided to offer them. The committee formed to welcome the men many months ago consisted of Mr Horace Darwin, Mr W.E. Wood, Councillor Hawkins, Lieutenant-Colonel Cronin, Colonel Heycock, Quartermaster Heal, Councillor F. Morley, the Mayor (Alderman H.M. Taylor), [and others]. …. The town council had also decided to confer the highest civic honour in its power upon all the volunteers of the county, and in ascertaining those entitled to this freedom, the following committee did admirable service, viz: – The Mayor, Aldermen Spalding and Kett, and Councillors Bell and Peck.

THE ARRIVAL AT CAMBRIDGE.

The special train which brought the volunteers from Bury steamed into Cambridge station at a quarter to two o'clock. This was something more than military punctuality, for according to the programme the men were not timed to arrive quite so soon. This, however, gave time for greetings from the privileged few who gained access to the platform. The “boys” mustered 97 strong, with two officers (Captain Whitmore and Lieutenant Mason) and the Rev. W. Crookham (chaplain). These included Suffolk Volunteers from Ipswich and other places who served with the Cambridge men in South Africa. The men wore their khaki uniforms and dark field service caps, and were without their rifles. Africa's sun had bronzed their faces, and warfare had given their faces a grave and determined set, but they looked physically fit. A tired expression was perceptible upon some, but it speedily vanished when old friends clustered around them. They were the same athletic body of men that we bade goodbye to more than a year ago, but they now had more of the soldiers’ bearing and quite the regulars’ walk. Captain Whitmore looked as well as his men, but campaigning has made him thinner and a little careworn, and it has increased the silver tinges of his hair. He was a proud man on Monday, and he looked it. He wore black on his sleeve, but all his Cambridge boys are living, and most of them were with him. For this Cambridge was thankful, as it soon showed. But this is anticipating. There was time to spare, and so we saw a period of hand-grasps and greetings, conversation, and even a smoke. Officers of the Town and University Volunteers soon came hurrying along and joined in the exultant greetings. Shortly before two o'clock the men formed in line and marched into the station yard. The small crowd behind the barriers gave the first shout of hurrahs, and the huge crowd outside speedily took up the cry as the little band of tanned warriors filed through the station entrance. There, Colonel Lucas, M.P. (commanding the Harwich Brigade), who presented quite an imposing appearance in his regimentals and plumed hat, joined the little knot of officers. There was another interval of waiting, and then the boys in khaki filed in between the Town Volunteers, who were drawn up to form the guard of honour. Opportunity was taken to photograph the “boys”, and then all was in readiness for the procession to start. Meanwhile, thousands of people had assembled along the Station Road. All means were taken to ensure a good view. The top of the station buildings was lined with onlookers, the tops of hansom cabs were used, and fences and gates were quite a common coign of vantage. A number of small boys, armed with small Union Jacks, were perched at the top of the advertisement hoardings, and they did not forget to make themselves heard.

THE PROCESSION.

Punctually to time, the procession left the station yard. Four mounted policemen led the way. Two bands were in attendance, the Town Volunteers and the University Volunteers, and they took turns in playing selections of martial music, the first selection being, “When the boys come marching home”. The various officers came next, and then the Volunteers. Several Imperial Yeomen (mounted) and other returned soldiers from South Africa brought up the rear. The khaki boys, two by two, were sandwiched between double files of their red-coated comrades. It was a khaki line encased in scarlet, which was at once effective, and tended to the preservation of order. Experience had evidently taught wisdom to the authorities, and the procession was really well organised. A dense crowd accompanied the volunteers the whole of the way. The people surged around the uniformed men in such a way that led to a few skirmishes, but the police and Volunteers succeeded in keeping the ranks intact throughout the greater part of the route. It was a trying march, but a triumphal one every inch of it. The route taken was: – Station Road, Hills Road, Regent Street, St Andrew’s Street, Sidney Street, St John's Street, Trinity Street, to Great St Mary’s Church. These thoroughfares were lined with cheering people. From streets and windows and house tops the welcome came alike, and some of the undergraduates indulged in rice throwing as the procession passed. At such favourite points as Hyde Park Corner, the Liberal Club (opposite which Messrs Sayle’s had their windows set out with humanity), Petty Cury, and Market Street the cheers were deafening. The bells rang forth a merry peal at the Roman Catholic church, and a little higher up a mortar was fired. There was another huge concourse of spectators outside St Mary's Church, where the people gave a splendid finish to the street welcome as the men swung into the church for the thanksgiving service.

[Thanksgiving Sservice]

At a slow march the men then proceeded direct to the Guildhall, and it was plain from their firmly set faces that strong feelings had been stirred by the service just concluded.

CONFERRING THE FREEDOM OF THE BOROUGH.

The ceremony of conferring the honorary freedom of the borough upon the volunteers and others who had returned from the war took place in the presence of many hundreds of persons, in the Guildhall, at the conclusion of the thanksgiving service. The general public was admitted by ticket, preference being given, as was the case with the service at Great St Mary's, to relatives of members of the Volunteer Company and to subscribers to the volunteers welcome fund. The entrances were opened at three o'clock, and there were many early arrivals, most of the accommodation being taken by three o'clock. The gallery, orchestra, and a large portion of the body of the hall had been set apart for those desirous of witnessing the ceremony. A central space, facing the platform, where the Mayor and Aldermen sat, was reserved for the volunteers, and alongside of this, seats were placed for the Town Councillors. The Town Council entered, in full civic state, just before 4 o'clock. There were present: – The Mayor (Alderman H.M. Taylor), the Deputy-Mayor (Councillor A.I. Tillyard), Aldermen A. Deck, J.H.C. Dalton, G. Kett, T. Hyde Hills, C.A.E. Pollock, W.P. Spalding, G. Stace, and J. Taylor, [and others].

Colonel Lucas, Colonel Heycock, Lieutenant-Colonel Lyon, Major Papworth, and other officers proceeded the Volunteers, whose appearance was greeted with cheering. The khaki showed up well in the sombre setting of a large assemblage, whilst the scarlet robes of the Aldermen gave a welcome touch of colour on the orchestra. There were some vacant seats among the Town Council, and these for the nonce were filled by the Vice-Chancellor (Mr Chawner) and the Master of Clare. The gathering was, in reality, a special meeting of the Town Council, and the business was done, therefore, in quite a formal way. The minutes were passed and signed, and then the Mayor announced that the next item on the agenda paper was to allow those soldiers who had come back from South Africa, and whom they were proud to number as honorary freemen of the borough, to sign the roll – (cheers) – but he first asked the Town Clerk to read an address containing the sentiments of the Corporation of that ancient borough towards them.

The Town Clerk then read the address, which it may be mentioned, was drawn up by the Mayor. It was as follows: –

To the Soldiers of the King who now return to Cambridge Honorary Freemen of the Borough.
We, the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the Borough of Cambridge, are glad to welcome here today you, who more than twelve months ago left home and Country to serve your Sovereign in the field.
We are proud to have the names of such men inscribed on the Roll of Honorary Freemen.
On that Roll your names will fitly follow the name of that distinguished soldier, Lord Kitchener, under whom as Commander-in-Chief in South Africa you have lately had the privilege of serving.
On kopje and on veldt, exposed by day to summer’s heat, by night to winter’s cold, you have patiently endured the pangs of hunger and of thirst.
At the risk of health, and limb, and life, you have braved the insidious approach of fell disease, you have faced the open dangers of the enemy’s fire, you have scorned the lurking perils of the secret mine.
We can assure you, and the friends of the comrades you have lost, that in all your labours, your privations and your sufferings, you have had the deep sympathy of those at home.
Last November we were well pleased to be able to welcome some five score of those brave Colonials, who from every part of the worldwide Empire flocked to South Africa in defence of their Sovereign’s honour, in support of their fellow-subjects’ rights.
Today we are delighted to welcome home in you five score fellow-soldiers of those brave Colonials, men from our own midst who at their country’s call, abandoned the quiet paths of study and of trade for the excitement of the camp and the trying vigilance of the trenches.
We hope and trust that for long years to come there will not be wanting Honorary Freemen of this Ancient Borough who will recount with pleasure to generations yet unborn the cordial reception Cambridge affords to men whom it delights to honour for loyalty to their Sovereign and for patriotic devotion to the interests of the Empire.
For your services and your example we are grateful to you.
Soldiers, Cambridge is proud of you.

Guildhall, Cambridge, May 6th, 1901.

The address was frequently punctuated with cheers. The signing of the roll was then taken. Captain Whitmore was the first to ascend the platform, and he had a very cordial reception. The people were asked to remain stationary, in order that a photograph might be taken, “as a permanent record of this historic scene”, as the Mayor put it. This having been done, the Rev. W.T.R. Crookham (chaplain) and Lieutenant Mason signed the roll, and the rest of the men followed, each one being announced by the Town Crier. The Mayor shook hands with all the new freemen, and the audience cheered each time.

The list was as follows:

Sergeant Charles Arnold, Cambridge, Loyal Suffolk Hussars.
Stretcher-Bearer Fred Baccus, Willingham, Suffolk Regiment.
Lance-Corporal Frank Robert Baker, Gonville and Caius College, Suffolk Regiment.
Private Alfred Thomas Edwin Barnard, Ely, Suffolk Regiment.
Private Walter Charles Billing, Cambridge, Suffolk Regiment.
Private George Bowyer, Cambridge, Suffolk Regiment.
Private John Francis Carter, Pembroke College, Suffolk Regiment.
Private Samuel Chapman, Ely, Suffolk Regiment.
Trooper Frederick John Christmas, Cambridge, Loyal Suffolk Hussars.
Private John Spencer Coates, Trinity College, Suffolk Regiment.
Private Samuel Henry Collins, Cambridge, Suffolk Regiment.
Chaplain W.T.R. Crookham, Haddenham, Suffolk Regiment
Private Charles Frederick Cullum, Ely, Suffolk Regiment.
Private Maurice Fitzmaurice Day, Pembroke College, Suffolk Regiment.
Private Thomas Dellar, Cambridge, Suffolk Regiment.
W. Doggett, Cambridge, St John Ambulance.
Private Thomas George Elborn, Cambridge, Suffolk Regiment.
Private Lucas Charles Froment, Cambridge, Suffolk Regiment.
Private Christopher Graham, Gonville and Caius College, Suffolk Regiment.
Private Bernard Haigh, Caius College, Suffolk Regiment.
Private James Oswald Haldane, Jesus College, Suffolk Regiment.
Private Arthur William Halls, Cambridge, Suffolk Regiment.
Private George Percy Haynes, Downing College, and [text missing], Suffolk Regiment.
Private John Brummit Haynes, Whittlesey, Suffolk Regiment.
Private Francis Richard Gurney Hoare, Trinity College, Suffolk Regiment.
Private Frank Hunt, Cambridge, Suffolk Regiment.
Private John Hyde Iles, Gonville and Caius College, Suffolk Regiment.
Trooper Charles Henry Jarrett, Cambridge, Imperial Yeomanry.
Private Henry Arthur Jerwood, Sidney Sussex College, Suffolk Regiment.
Private Oliver Liles, Cambridge, Suffolk Regiment.
Private Henry Thomas Linsdell, Saffron Walden, Suffolk Regiment.
A Livermore, Cambridge, Cambridge Volunteer Ambulance.
Sergeant Instructor Harry Augustus Loader, March, Suffolk Regiment.
Charles Montagu Lofts, Chesterton, Hospital Staff, Imperial Yeomanry.
Lieutenant George Henry Mason, Suffolk Regiment.
Private John Measures, Cambridge, Suffolk Regiment.
Private Alfred Charles Mole, Cambridge, Suffolk Regiment.
Private Frederick William Moore, Cambridge, Suffolk Regiment.
Private Henry Eckley Herbert Oakeley, St John's College, Suffolk Regiment.
Corporal Thomas Oldfield, Whittlesey, Suffolk Regiment.
Private Hugh Brindley Owen, Gonville and Caius College, Suffolk Regiment.
Sergeant Alfred Earnest Pitstow, Saffron Walden, Suffolk Regiment.
Lance-Corporal Benjamin Pooley, Cambridge, Suffolk Regiment.
Private Arthur Harry Richardson, Ely, Suffolk Regiment.
Lance-Corporal Henry Robinson, Trinity College, Suffolk Regiment.
Lance-Corporal Charles William Rudd, Whittlesey, Suffolk Regiment.
Corporal Edgar Campbell Russell, Gonville and Caius College, Suffolk Regiment.
Private Arthur Ryan, Saffron Walden, Suffolk Regiment.
Private Claude Victor Sainsbury Skrimshire, St Catherine's College, Suffolk Regiment.
Private Sidney Smith, Gonville and Caius College, Suffolk Regiment.
Trooper Edward Smith, Waterbeach, Loyal Suffolk Hussars.
Private Robert Stafford, March, Suffolk Regiment.
Private Sidney John Steward, Downing College, Suffolk Regiment.
Private Lewis St George Stubbs, Christ’s College, Suffolk Regiment.
Private Earnest Edward Swann, Cambridge, Suffolk Regiment.
Private Maurice Llewellyn Taylor, Pembroke College, Suffolk Regiment.
Private Edward Cuthbert Usherwood, King’s College, Suffolk Regiment.
Private Marmaduke Warner, Gonville and Caius College, Suffolk Regiment.
Private Frank Warboy Warrington, Cambridge, Suffolk Regiment.
Private Horace Frank Waters, Cambridge, Suffolk Regiment.
Lance-Corporal William Busbell Westley, Cambridge, Suffolk Regiment.
Captain George Frederick Whitmore, Cambridge, Suffolk Regiment.
Corporal Albert Wilkinson, Ely, Suffolk Regiment.
Lance-Corporal Charles Robert Worthington, Gonville and Caius College, Paget’s Horse.
Sergeant William Wesley, Cambridge, Imperial Yeomanry Field Hospital.

The Mayor had announced that the meeting was at an end, when Councillor Ward rose and called attention to the fact that at least one man in the room had not signed the roll, although he was entitled to do so. It was Mr Wesley, of Caius Street. The Town Clerk said he did not know whether Mr Wesley came in the three classes. Councillor Ward said that the name had been passed by the Committee. The Mayor then suggested that anyone who was entitled to the freedom of the borough and had not signed the roll should present himself. Alderman Spalding thought the matter could not be investigated at that meeting. Mr Wesley and several others then presented themselves, and it being found that they were entitled to the freedom, and were, in fact, on the list approved by the Committee, they duly signed the roll. The Mayor apologised to those who had so nearly been deprived of the honour of signing the roll and then declared the meeting at an end.

The Borough Organist (Mr F. Dewberry, Mus. Bac.), who played selections whilst the audience assembled, struck up the National Anthem as the Mayor and Corporation filed out of the hall.

THE BANQUET.

PRESENTATION TO THE VOLUNTEERS.

Such a celebration would scarcely be complete (if custom counts for anything) without a banquet. This fact was evidently recognised by the Committee, as the finishing item of an imposing programme was a public dinner at the Corn Exchange, at which the returned Volunteers of the Suffolk Regiment were the guests. Under skilled hands a spacious banqueting hall had been arranged within this large building. It was well arranged and nicely decorated, and the tables were set out with considerable artistic skill, the electric light being utilised with good effect. The function was graced by the presence of ladies, who watched the proceedings from a raised platform, and there was a large attendance, of which the following is the official list:

The guests: Captain Whitmore, Lieutenant Mason, Colour-Sergeant H. Loader, Sergeant C. Kerry, Sergeant A.G. Pitstow, Sergeant B. Pooley, Sergeant T. Taylor, Lance-Sergeant E.C. Russell, Corporal C. Lawrence, Corporal T. Oldfield, Corporal A.G. Read, Corporal A. Wilkinson, Sergeant S. Copsey, Sergeant W. Jarrold, Privates T. Abraham, W.T. Arben, F. Baccus, A.F. Barnard, C.W. Baskett, D.F. Bell, C. Betts, W.C. Billing, G. Bowyer, S.W. Bridges, F. Bryant, W. Bunn, G. Burch, J. Carter, E. Chamberlain, S. Chapman, H. Childs, J. Coates, S. Collings, C. Cullum, M.F. Day, W. Debenham, T. Dellar, M. Duggan, W. Elmer, A. Farrant, S. Fayers, L. Foster, F.S. Godbold, C. Graham, B. Haigh, J.O. Haldane, A.W. Halls, G.J. Haynes, J. Haynes, O. Hill, F.R. Hoare, G. Hook, F. Hunt, J. Iles, A. Jefferey, O. Liles, A. Lindsell, J. Lingley, J. Measures, W. Merritt, W. Mizon, A. Mole, F. Moore, A. Murbon, F.W. Newson, W.G. Oakley, E. Olle, J. O'Neill, H. Owen, A.I. Oxborrow, J. Palmer, J. Parker, G. Piper, S. Press, A. Richardson, H. Robinson, J. Rogers, A.G. Rope, C. Rudd, A.L. Ryan, C. Skrimshire, S. Smith, E. Smith, H. Smith, J.C. Snelling, R. Stafford, W. Stannard, W.F. Stannard (Netley Hospital), E.E. Swann, A.G. Stubbs, A. Taylor, O. Taylor, W. Ward, F. Warrington, H. Waters, W.S. Westley, E.F. Woods, F.B. Woods, C. Worthington, and A. Wright.

[General Attendance]

The dinner – an admirable one – was served from Trinity College Kitchen. The menu was as follows: –


Grace was pronounced by the Mayor's Chaplain, the Rev. Dr Cunningham. The bands of the University and Town Volunteers played while the banquet was proceeding. Subsequently the toast list was commenced, Quartermaster Heal acting as toastmaster.

Sir Robert Ball proposed “His Majesty's Imperial Forces”. He said that the country felt, and always had felt, grateful to the Army, Navy, Militia, and Volunteers for their services. After all, man was a fighting animal. Professor Haeckel traced man back to some primeval speck of jelly in some vast ocean, and counted up that five million generations had been required to transform man from that little bit of jelly in the primeval sea to the form which he now occupied. (Laughter). It was not the least exaggeration to say that of those five million ancestors, 999 out of every thousand were engaged in battle and murder and sudden death to all around. (Laughter). They now had a little veneer of what was called civilised life, but they were fighting animals still, and they could not eradicate it. Perhaps if Cambridge went on for another million years or so, it might do something towards undoing the effects of the five million generations that had gone before. (Laughter). In concluding, Sir Robert mentioned the case of a wounded man who said he went through all that pain without having seen a Boer. “Bring him to the Union”, said Sir Robert, “and I venture to say he would be received by the President of the Union with a magnanimity which would reciprocate the magnanimity with which Cambridge men put him into the position he adorns at the Union”. (Laughter and applause).

Councillor Durnford replied, in the absence of Colonel Lucas, M.P., who had left to attend to his Parliamentary duties. He said that in the course of his career at Eaton he had the honour to command the Volunteer Corps, and was therefore brought into contact with a large number of those who were serving and had served with the Imperial Forces in South Africa. It was therefore with some confidence that he returned thanks for the various services.

Colonel Caldwell gave “Our Guests, the Volunteer Service Company of the Suffolk Regiment”. He said that it was not compulsorily but of their own free will that these men gave in their names to serve with the line battalion, and that they had endured the hardships and distress of a campaign in South Africa, and those who had stayed at home had followed their proceedings with much interest. They had felt proud of them, and were proud to welcome them back to Cambridge. (Applause).

HOW THE SUFFOLKS STORMED A KOPJE.

They remembered how the Volunteer Service Company of the Suffolk Regiment, were told off, he thought, on the third day after leaving Barberton, when with General French’s command, to take a very strong kopje on which some Boers and some pom-poms were posted. They advanced to the attack, but, with that eagerness they might fairly expect and were accustomed to find in all Cambridge men, they advanced so far that they were beginning to lose touch with the bodies on the right and left, those still under fire. The colonel in command, fearing that they might be surrounded, checked their advance, with the result that the Boers, who had very great knowledge of the relative proportions of time and space – (laughter) – placed a sufficient space between themselves and the attacking force, so that when the Volunteer company carried the kopje with a rush they found the enemy in full retreat with their pom-poms, and the only satisfaction he thought the company got was a capture of a number of waggons belonging to the Boers, which were laden with “sugar and rice and all things nice”. (Laughter).

A CAMBRIDGE HERO.

One other circumstance occurred during the war. Of course the Volunteer Company of the Suffolk Regiment could not be everywhere, but they were represented more or less in every engagement, and at one battle, of which they had heard a great deal – the Battle of Lindley – a member was in the trenches. He had had put into his hands that night a letter describing how the member, a Cambridge man, under a heavy fire, when no one else could be induced to go, left the trenches with the colour-sergeant in order to fetch a fresh supply of ammunition, made his way safely and unharmed back, and brought the ammunition, and by that means contributed as far as he could to the prolongation of the defence of the garrison of Lindley. (Applause). When history came to be written, one thing at least would impress itself upon the mind of the historian, namely, the readiness with which the Colonials and the Volunteers, for the first time in our history, voluntarily came forward in the defence of the Empire, and if that historian wished to know the opinion held by the contemporaries of those men, he would find it in the records of the Council, and in that memorable page which had been added to the honourable and venerable roll of Freemen of this ancient borough. (Applause).

The toast having been received with musical honours, Captain Whitmore rose to reply, and had a good reception. He said it was only those who had been away for a long time who could realise what home-coming meant, and that it was impossible for words to express their feelings of gratitude for the reception they had that day. They went out to do their duty. They had done their best – (applause) – and whatever they had undergone was more than repaid by the glorious home-coming that Cambridge had given them. (Applause). Colonel Caldwell had suggested that they would hear something of what the company had done. He could not go through all they had seen or done, but he could read a letter that was sent to Colonel Dowes, commander of the Eastern District, who had requested that the letter should be read in public that night. It would show that their little best had met with the approval of some of their seniors. The letter was as follows: –

“To the Officer Commanding 12 R.D., Bury St Edmund’s.

“Captain G.F. Whitmore and the Service Company of Volunteers of the Suffolk Regiment left my command on the 5th of April for England, and I desire on parting with them, to record the gallant behaviour, steady endurance, and good conduct of the company during the campaign, as far as it came under my personal observation.
“I consider that all ranks have done their part nobly, and brought credit to the regiment to which they belong.
“I hope that you will communicate these remarks to Captain Whitmore and also to Lieutenant Marriott, who has so nobly supported his Captain and proved himself an excellent officer, well qualified for promotion.

“G. Barton, Major-General.
“Commanding Lines of Communication. Pretoria, Wolverhole”.

(Applause). The approval that the company had obtained was due to a great extent to one who was not present – he was sorry to say – Lieutenant Percy Hudson. (Applause). When they first arrived they were sent to Beaufort West. He (Captain Whitmore) was detached from the company as Commandant and D.S.O., and his duties took him away. Lieutenant Hudson ran the company, instilled discipline into the men, and drilled them well – he loved his work – and the result of his exertions took the company to the regiment fit even to be compared with any regular company. (Applause). Through that groundwork Lieutenant Hudson gave them, they met with the approval of the commanding officer, and through all their work he was exceptionally kind to them. The officers of the regiment made them friends and brother officers. The kindness they showed was most unexpected. The men all worked with a good heart and good will, and the four sections got on with a good feeling and friendship that carried the company through all its difficulties.

THEIR WORK WITH GENERAL FRENCH.

Their losses had been very slight, and those were all from disease. That was accounted for by the fact that they were fortunate enough to be under one of our best generals – General French. (Applause). The Boers had a hatred for that man’s name. On no occasion when he was with them did the Boers ever attempt an attack from the rear. They never had a rearguard action on the trek when with General French. It was simply owing to the fortune of being with General French that during those long treks there was not a man lost. Enteric fever had been in the company, but, in comparison with other companies, was very slight, and he took it that that had been more or less because the men were willing, and thought that the orders given them were for their own good. (Applause). The water, undoubtedly, was very bad and full of enteric, and where other companies failed to obey orders with regard to the boiling of water, there was a very large percentage of the disease. One company had over seventy members at various times laid up with enteric, whereas his company had over 70 percent of men who had never been to the hospital and never had a day’s sickness. (Applause). Sir Robert Ball had said that man was a fighting animal. Well, he supposed they might call the Boer an animal, but it was simply because he would not fight that the war was continuing. He never gave the British a chance. They continually saw them, but never got within rifle shot of them. If the Boers were fighting animals, the whole army, or most of it, would have been back months ago. In concluding, he expressed the gratitude of the whole of the company for the magnificent reception they had that day, and to his friend, Mr George Kett, jun., for his kindness during his absence. (Applause).

PRESENTATIONS TO THE VOLUNTEERS.

The Mayoress (Miss E.J. Taylor) then presented the returned members of the 3rd and 4th Volunteer Battalions with handsome silver stoups as a permanent memento of the occasion. Each one bore the University and Borough Arms, regimental badge, and an inscription similar to this: – “A tribute of Respect from Town and University to George Frederick Whitmore, Captain 3rd (Cambs.) Vol. Batt. Suffolk Regiment, one of those who, at their country’s call, left Cambridge for service in South Africa, 1900–1901”.

Mr W.B. Redfern gave “The Harwich Volunteer Infantry Brigade, with the 4th (Cambridge University) Volunteer Battalion”. He said that the toast embraced the whole of East Anglia, and the Volunteers from other parts of the district had done their duty as thoroughly as their own Cambridge Townsmen and University-men had done.

Colonel Heycock, in reply, expressed the welcome of the Brigade to Captain Whitmore, Mr Hudson and Mr Marriott, and said that during the past year the Brigade had undergone an extensive course of training, which for the first time in its existence was of a practical kind.

Major Comber, of the University Volunteers, said the reception that day was one more testimony of the kindly feeling that now existed between the Town and University.

UNIVERSITY HONOUR FOR CAPTAIN WHITMORE.

“The University of Cambridge” was given by Alderman Stace, and the Vice-Chancellor, in replying, said that the members of the University were gratified in the highest degree that the high honour of the freedom of the borough had been conferred upon Town and Gown alike, and that the Council of the Senate had decided to ask the Senate to recognise the patriotism and efficiency in command which had been shown by Captain Whitmore by conferring upon him the title and degree of Master of Arts. (Loud applause).

Mr J.V. Pryor gave “The Mayor and Corporation”, and Mr W.P. Spalding gave “The Chairman”.

The Mayor briefly replied to these toasts.

A musical programme was contributed by Mr Joseph Reed, Mr George Perry, Mr A.F. Heald (songs), Mr C. Panchaud (humorous songs), and Mr Stanham (reading). Mr B. Bales and Mr S.C. Coulson were the accompanists. “God Save the King” was sung at 12:45.


Cambridge Express, 11th May 1901

BACK FROM THE WAR.

THE RETURN OF THE VOLUNTEERS.

ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTIONS.

THE WELCOME HOME AT CAMBRIDGE.

THE ARRIVAL AT CAMBRIDGE.

The arrival of the Service Volunteers at the railway station was tame enough. Captain Whitmore brought over the whole of the Company – the drafts from the 1st and 2nd Volunteer Battalions, known to all local Volunteers as “the blacks” and “the greys”, as well as the sections sent out by the County Battalion and the University Corps, for Cambridge desired the honour of receiving every one of them as its guest. The men skipped out of the train in the most matter-of-fact sort of way, and loitered about in groups until they were ordered to fall in. Then they moved out into the colonnade, and from thence into the station yard, when two long lines of red-coats were waiting to envelop them. Hale and hearty they all looked, better in health to all seeming than when they left Cambridge, whilst their well set up appearance and lithe movement proclaimed them to be as “fit as fiddles”. Unlike the C.I.V’s, of whom it was said on their return to London that they had been away so long that they had forgotten how to march, the Suffolks swung along with rhythmic and regular step, and with an attention to covering and distances that would have done credit to a Royal guard-mounting company of the Guards. They nearly all wore khaki drill, though a few had serge, with black service caps; some had belts and some were without. They looked a smart body of men, of whom any regiment might feel proud. As the crowd caught sight of them, a roaring cheer went up, and from thence onwards the ears of the Volunteers were assailed with a ceaseless and undiminished roll of the noise of popular acclamation.

The khaki men halted between the lines of protecting red-coats, and formed from fours into two deep, and then the procession was completed as follows. First came a line of mounted policemen, next the bands of the 3rd (Cambs.) and 4th (Cambridge University) V.B’s Suffolk Regiment, surrounded by constables on foot, then the Service Company, headed by Captain Whitmore, linked up close to the bands, and with a double line of red-coats on each side of them, so as to march six abreast. Following them came some details of Yeomanry and stretcher-bearers, and the rear was closed in by the cyclists, machine-gun detachment, and ambulance party, and a few mounted Yeomanry formed up to prevent the crowd breaking in behind the procession. Captain Whitmore gave the command to advance, the band struck up, the first few notes of the march tune “When the boys come marching home” were caught along the column, to be drowned immediately by the shouting and cheering as the procession turned into the Station Road, and thereafter it was only the “boom boom” of the big drum that could be heard by the Volunteers.

THE MARCH DOWN.

What a time they had! All around them a seething, hurrying crowd, cheering, singing, shouting, blowing horns, and hustling one another boisterously, yet with capital good humour, in the struggle to obtain better positions or maintain their own, striving with the red-coats in futile efforts to break into the ranks and greet returning friends. Amongst these latter were a few women, who fought for places with the best of the men, and whose efforts to approach the khaki Volunteers were more successful than the male attempts. The crush was awful, and the fences on either side of the route, not to mention the ribs of the people lining them, were pretty well tested. It seemed as though every inch of space was occupied, as walls, fences, balconies, windows, and roads were packed with excited onlookers. Directly the procession had passed the crowd rushed to follow, and the amount of toes that were trodden on and shins that were hacked cannot be numbered.

At first the noise was so bewildering that it was impossible for those accompanying the Volunteers to distinguish what was occurring amidst the babel of sound and the rush of many feet, but presently the ear and eye became attuned to the novel surroundings, and it was noticed that in the moving part of the crowd were many making their own marching tunes by singing snatches of popular songs. The military were fairly swallowed up in the dense mass of people, but the lines were admirably kept, though here and there the escorting Volunteers had fairly to fight a way for their comrades, and then there would be a rush to close up over the ground that had been lost. At the corner of Station Road, and again at Hyde Park Corner, several ugly rushes had to be stemmed off, but the public had largely avoided the narrow streets in the centre of the town, and progress through them was comparatively easy.

The Volunteers received a great ovation at the “Great Northern” Hotel, where many Wanderers were waiting to cheer their ex-captain. Outside Mr Bolton's, in Hills Road, a small cannon was fired off, and this served to make the cheering even heartier than before. The bells of the Roman Catholic Church were also pealed, and added their musical jangle to the general clammer. A mighty flutter of handkerchiefs attracted attention to the upper floor of Messrs Howes’ depot, where the windows were fairly packed with ladies. The khaki men raised a cheer as they passed the Liberal Club, with its welcoming motto, its array of bannerets, and its crowded balconies, windows, and roof. Nearby an attractive group of hand-clapping children drew attention to the upper windows of a tradesman's residence, but the hand exercise of some undergraduates, who scattered rice in stinging showers upon the crowd, was not similarly appreciated. By the time this point was reached, a large part of the crowd who had accompanied the Volunteers from Hills Road had dropped off or made a rush for another spot, so that progress through Sydney Street, where every window was well tenanted, was comparatively easy. At the corner of St John’s Street there was another crush, and matters became rather mixed towards the tail of the column. But the greatest trial was to come.

A REMINISCENCE OF C.I.V. DAY.

Half the population of Cambridge appeared to have concentrated upon Senate House Hill, outside the west entrance to St Mary's Church, and, although there was a particularly strong force of police on duty, they practically proved inadequate to the task of keeping a way clear for the oncoming Volunteers. Mounted police lent their aid to their dismounted comrades, but so great was the mass of people that, as was the case in London on the C.I.V. day, horses and riders failed to make any visible effect upon the multitude. To and fro the crowd surged, but they were wedged too tightly to be able to give much room, and were forced back upon the railings of the church and the Senate House, which withstood a greater strain than they had been expected to meet.

When the Volunteers arrived, the crowd swept from control, and the military were instantly swallowed up like straws sucked into a mill race. The band had a particularly rough time, and one of the drummers found it necessary to use his drumstick as a weapon of offense to escape from the appalling pressure by which he was surrounded. It was a fortunate thing for the African contingent that they had their Volunteer escort to guard them, or they would have had to fight their way into the church individually. The red-coats turned their backs upon the encompassing crowd, and, pushing with a will, managed to clear a passage for their comrades and guests. Then when the last “yellow man” had passed, the red-coats tried to fall back into military formation, but were instantly crumpled upon by the weight of the crowd, who rolled them into a chaotic mass.

Someone at the gates ordered the entry of the Volunteers so slowly that those at the end of the column were subjected to a suffocating pressure, which was added to by the unnecessary energy of a few members of the University Corps who appeared to think, from the delay, that they were in danger of being shut out from the service. There was really no such risk, though appearances pointed in that direction. The last section of the escort was fairly hurled into the church gates. “Behave yourselves like soldiers and men”, shouted a disgusted subaltern. He knew nothing of what the “soldiers and men” had gone through, or how little they were free agents in what they were doing, or he would have directed his expostulations to other quarters. It was a blessed relief to get within the church, where a fine congregation had assembled. Some of the younger Volunteers were rather exhausted, and all of the escort had had quite enough of crowding and crushing for one day. They recovered themselves sufficiently, however, to be able to take part most heartily in the service, and the singing of the beautiful hymn, “O, God, our help in ages past”, when the vigorous and strong male voices filled the old church with a magnificent volume of harmony, was especially memorable. There was only one thing lacking from a military point of view. Thanks to a vexatious little hitch, of which there were several during the day, the bands were unable to take part in the service, to the great disappointment of themselves, as well as a large part of the congregation.

The thanksgiving service at St Mary's practically concluded the collective experience of the Service Company and their comrades of the 3rd Battalion. The former followed the Mayor and Corporation round the Market Place to the Guildhall for the honorary freedom ceremony, the route being well kept, whilst the latter were dismissed from further duty. Neither will soon forget what they shared in company in the historical entry into Cambridge of Monday last. The rest of the acts of the Service Volunteers and all that they did are duly recorded in the appended reports.

THE DECORATIONS.

In their programme the Reception Committee asked the townspeople to decorate their houses and shops, and the answer to the appeal was both gratifying and spontaneous. The line of the route of the procession seemed to be one blaze of bunting and decorations, whilst even the side streets were more or less ornamented. The interiors of several of the colleges were also prettily decorated.
The first elaborate attempt at decorations was at the corner of Station Road, which presented a very pretty spectacle. Facing the Station was a huge “Welcome Home”, painted in red and blue letters on white cloth, stretched across the road, and a little further on there was the inscription, “Brave Volunteers!”, displayed in a similar manner. In between there were gay looking streamers of small flags and paper flowers stretching from side to side. The “Great Northern” Hotel was most tastefully decorated, and altogether this spot set a very good example to the rest of the town. Going further along, a string of flags could be seen stretched across Hills Road from the corner of Glisson Road, and at the Liberal Club streamers or flags were also displayed in mid-air. All along Hills Road, Regent Street and St Andrew’s Street there was a display of bunting and other decorations, whilst some of the shop fronts were prettily dressed with art muslin, etc. One of the neatest of these was a dairy near the Liberal Club, for, although the space facing the street was somewhat limited, the decorations were arranged upon an exceedingly artistic and pleasing design. Some of the larger shops in Sydney Street were also tastefully adorned with red, white, and blue, and vari-coloured muslin. St John’s Street and Trinity Street were also nicely decorated. The decorations on several of the shops were extremely pretty, a mixture of red and yellow predominating. On one shop window there were the words, “To Pretoria and Back”, in large letters. Caius College displayed the humorous inscriptions, “None but the brave deserve the fare”, and a quotation from the “Taming of the Shrew”, “Go, sirrah, take them to the buttery, and give them a friendly welcome everyone”. One of the chief attractions on Market Hill was a life-size effigy of Kruger, hoisted across Rose Crescent, carrying a bag marked £. s. d., above which was the apt quotation from “Twelfth Night”, “I'll be your purse-barer, and leave you for an hour”.

Last of all, we must not forget to mention what may be termed the moving decorations. Nearly everyone wore a red, white, and blue rosette, and not a few carried miniature Union Jacks, which greatly added to the gaiety of the scene. There was much that was pretty outside the route from the Station to Great St Mary's. Dr Lloyd-Jones' residence was very well got up, the windows being outlined with fairy lamps, and the whole house gaily hung with vari-coloured bunting. St Catherine's was the only college that went in for any internal decoration. The quad was crossed and re-crossed with strings of small flags, and presented quite a gala appearance. Bunting hung from many of the windows, and there were flags and shield devices on the lamp posts and trees. Altogether this was amongst the prettiest pieces of decoration in the town.

THE BANQUET IN THE TRANSFORMED CORN EXCHANGE.

A BRILLIANT SCENE.

WITTY SPEECHES AND GREAT ENTHUSIASM.

It was a bright scene in the Corn Exchange. The large company banqueted in a room within a room, for it was a pretty tent-like structure that shut out the bare walls of the Exchange. The “ceiling” in blue and white, the subdued light from two electric standards, the tastefully decorated tables, which were lit with electric jets hid in beautiful shades, presented a charming appearance. The men who had just stepped out of the war clouds of South Africa were deeply pleased with it. The chief table was placed on the right-hand side, and from it eleven tables were arranged for the guests. At the end of the building was a platform to which ladies were admitted to view the proceedings. All the seats were occupied, and some of the ladies waited until the end of the gathering.
The list of guests for whom covers were laid was as follows: –

[Full list of guests – see Cambridge Independent Press]

Captain Whitmore sat next to the Mayor, and with him during a part of the evening was his little son, who took a lively interest in the function.


The bands of both battalions were present, Mr Horlock directing the Town Band, and Sergeant Hutching the University.

Quartermaster Heal officiated as toast-master, and between the speeches songs were contributed by Mr Heal, Mr Joseph Reed, Mr Panchaud (comic), and Mr F.A. Heald. Mr Stanham gave a recitation.

The Mayor, who was received with applause, said that at every dinner which he had attended till the present year, he was taught that the toast of “The Queen” was one that required but few words from the chairman to introduce. He hoped, now we had a King to reign over us, that the same in all collections of loyal subjects would be true – that the toast of “The King” need not be spun out to any inordinate length. The King had promised that he would, as far as he could, walk in the footsteps of his beloved mother, and he thought they must all agree that he bade fair to redeem that promise. (Applause).

The toast was honoured with enthusiasm.

The Mayor then gave the company permission to smoke, and afterwards proposed the next toast: “Queen Alexandra, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, and the Rest of the Royal Family”. It was a toast of the amiable lady, the Consort of the King, and also the health of their eldest son and his Consort. The Royal pair that day had landed in the Australian Colonies on the beneficent mission to the large State which was rising up under the Southern Cross to show the interest which the whole country took in the Federation of the different States, the different Colonies in that large continent. They were doing their best to knit together the most distant parts of the British Empire in the close bonds of interest and harmony. (Applause).

[various toasts]

“OUR GUESTS”.

Colonel Caldwell proposed “Our Guests, the Volunteer Service Company of the Suffolk Regiment”. He said they were all aware that for a long time past it had been customary for whoever had to reply to the toast of the Imperial Forces, after reminding them how well the handy boys of his Majesty's service had always done their duty, and how well the land forces of the Crown had done theirs, to say that if ever the Volunteers were called upon, they would, no doubt, do their duty as well. (Hear, hear). As they had heard that night, that formula was no longer necessary, for the Volunteer Forces had for the first time shown that they could carry out that which was promised on their behalf. (Applause). There were sure to be during the next year or two discussions as to the reforms to be introduced into the Army, and the question would be raised as to whether that universally recognised liability of every abled-bodied man to take part in the defences of the country should be strictly and compulsorily enforced or not, but, whatever result might be arrived at on the question, the Volunteers of this country, and particularly those who were their guests that night, had solved the question in the immediate present of their own free will. (Applause). For not compulsorily, but of their own free-will, they gave up all their time and their leisure to offer themselves for the defence of the country, and the service of the country if ever it should become necessary; not compulsorily, but of their own free-will, they gave in their names to serve abroad with the line battalion; not compulsorily, but of their own free-will, they had endured the hardships and the danger of a campaign in South Africa (applause), taking their place, without murmuring, by the side of the soldiers of the line, and suffering all the hardships inevitably connected with a campaign. And those who had stayed at home had followed their proceedings with much interest; they had felt proud of them, and were proud to welcome them back to Cambridge. (Applause). They might possibly hear from Captain Whitmore, they might possibly hear from friends of their own who had taken part in the campaign, of those various little portions of it that came under their own immediate observation; but they remembered in the general outline those more striking features that impressed themselves upon their recollection. They remembered how the Volunteer Service Company of the Suffolk Regiment, the honoured and welcomed guests that night, were told off, he thought, on the third day after leaving Barberton, with General French's command, to attack a very high kopje on which some Boers and some pom-poms were posted. They advanced to the attack, but with that eagerness they might fairly expect and were accustomed to find in all Cambridge men, and with that desire to get to close quarters with the enemy, that ought naturally to distinguish the fighting descendants of those five million ancestors of fighting animals (laughter), they advanced so far that they were beginning to lose touch with the bodies on the right and left, those still under fire, that the Colonel in command, fearing that they might be surrounded, signalled to them to check their advance, to prevent the possibility of their being cut off. They had gone in obedience to orders, with that natural ardour to carry them on, with the result that the Boers, who had very great knowledge of the relative proportions of time and space, and knew in that particular case, as well as the late President, Kruger, did, when it was time to beat a strategic retreat, whilst our men were checked, placed a sufficient space between themselves and the attacking force, so that when the Volunteer Service Company of the Suffolk Regiment carried the kopje with a rush they found the enemy in full retreat; but in one respect they were more fortunate than the soldier of whom Sir Robert Ball had spoken. They, at least, saw the Boers with their pom-poms, but the only satisfaction he thought the Company got was a capture of a certain number of waggons belonging to the Boers, which were laden with “sugar and rice and all things that’s nice”. (Laughter). One other circumstance occurred during the war. Of course, the Volunteer Company of the Suffolk Regiment could not be everywhere, but they were represented more or less in several engagements, and at one battle, of which they had heard a great deal but of which he did not intend to speak – the Battle of Lindley – though the Volunteer Service Company was not present, a member of it was present, and was in the trenches. He had had put into his hands that night a letter describing how one member of the Cambridge Volunteer Service Company, under a heavy fire, when no one else could be induced to go, left the trenches with the colour-sergeant in order to fetch a further supply of ammunition, made his way safely and unharmed back through the enemy's fire, and brought the ammunition, and by that means contributed as far as he could to the prolongation of the defence of the garrison of Lindley. (Applause). Their deeds would be known for many generations to come. It was interesting to note that when history came to be written, whatever the view the historian of the future might take of the events that had occurred in the last 18 months, one thing at least would impress itself upon the mind of that historian, and that was the readiness with which the men from the Colonies and the Volunteer forces voluntarily, for the first time in our history, came forward in the defence of the Empire. And if that historian wished to know the opinion held by the contemporaries of those men, and what was thought on the occasion, he would find it in the records of the Council; he would find it in that memorable page which had been added to the honourable and venerable roll of Freemen of this ancient borough. (Applause).

The toast was received with musical honours.

CAPTAIN WHITMORE’S REPLY.

Captain Whitmore, who was most cordially received, said that after the kind and eloquent speech of Colonel Caldwell, they must know how difficult it was for him to find words with which to adequately thank them for the magnificent reception which they had given to the Volunteers on their return home. (Applause). He wondered how many persons at that gathering knew and could appreciate the real meaning of the word “home”. It was only those who had been far distant, a long way from home, who could realise what home meant. Still, the enthusiasm of the crowds to meet them in the street, the kind words of the Master of Trinity, and all who had any connection with the district, the conferring upon them by the Town Council of the highest honour it was possible for the Mayor and Corporation to bestow, and now that banquet – with such kindness it was impossible for him to express the feeling of gratitude which the Volunteers had towards those who had thus greeted them on their return to Cambridge. The Volunteers went out to do their duty; they did their best. (Cheers). And what they had undergone was more than repaid by the glorious home-coming which had been accorded them. Colonel Caldwell had suggested that they should hear something of what the Company had done. He could not recount what the Volunteers had seen or done, but he could read a copy of a letter that was sent to Colonel Dowse, commanding the Eastern District. The letter would show them that their little best had met with the approval of their seniors. It was as follows:

“Captain G.F. Whitmore and the Service Company of Volunteers of the Suffolk Regiment left my command on April 5 for England. I desire, on parting with them, to record the gallant behaviour, steady endurance, and good conduct of the Company during the campaign as far as it came under my personal observation.
“I consider that all ranks have done their part nobly and brought credit to the Regiment in which they belong.
“I hope that you will communicate these remarks to Captain Whitmore and also to Lieutenant Marriott, who so ably supported his Captain and proved himself an excellent officer, well qualified for promotion.

“G. Barton, Major-General”.

(Applause). The success – he hardly meant success – the approval that the Company had obtained was due to a great extent to one who was not present, and he was sorry he was not there. He referred to Lieutenant P. Hudson. (Applause). When they first arrived, they were sent to Beaufort, and he (Captain Whitmore) was detached from the Company, and his duty took him to another station. Lieutenant Hudson ran the Company. He instilled discipline into the men, and drilled them well. He loved his work – and the results of his exertions took the Company to the regiment fit even to be compared with any regular company. (Applause). Through that ground-work Lieutenant Hudson gave them, they met with the approval of the commanding officer, and throughout all their work he was exceptionally kind to them. The officers of the regiment met them as friends and brother officers. The kindness they showed was most unexpected. The men all worked with a good heart and good-will, and the four sections got on with that good feeling and friendship that carried the Company through all the difficulties. Their losses had been very slight, and those were all from disease. That was accounted for by the fact that they were fortunate enough to be under one of our best generals – General French. (Applause). The Boers had a hatred for that man's name. On no occasion when they were with him did the Boers attempt to attack from the rear. They never had a rearguard action on the trek when with General French. It was simply owing to the fortune of being with General French that during those long treks not a man was lost. Enteric fever had been in the Company, but, in comparison with other companies, it was very slight, and he took it that that had been more or less because the men were willing, and thought that the orders given them were for their own good.

The water, undoubtedly, was very bad and full of enteric, and, where other companies failed to obey orders with regard to the boiling of the water, there was a very large percentage of enteric. He could mention one company which had over 70 members at times laid up with enteric, whereas his company had over 70 per cent of men who had never been to the hospital, and never had a day’s sickness. (Applause). Sir Robert Ball had said that man was a fighting animal. Well, he supposed they might call the Boer an animal, but it was simply because he would not fight that the war was continuing. They never gave the British a chance. They continually saw them, but never got within rifle shot of them. If the Boers were fighting animals, the whole Army, or most of it, would have been back months ago. In the name of the members of the Company, he thanked them from the bottom of his heart for the magnificent reception they had given them on their home-coming. Before he sat down there was one subject he would like to touch upon. It was with regard to himself. His absence had proved to him that he had in Cambridge a devoted friend, such a friend that few men lived to get. As a business man of that town, it would almost seem impossible that he could get away for all this space of time, and it was simply owing to the devoted friendship of Mr George Kett, jun., that he had been away so long without loss to himself, and he wished publicly to thank him for his great kindness. (Applause). Captain Whitmore then asked the Volunteers to drink the healths of the Mayor and the guests, which they did in a most cordial manner.

THE PRESENTATION OF THE STOUPS.

The Mayor, in a few words, explained the meaning of the next item on the programme. It was thought that it was desirable that all members of the 3rd and 4th Volunteer Battalions of the Suffolk Regiment, on their return from South Africa, should have some permanent memento of the occasion. The Executive Committee came to the conclusion that a proper gift would be a silver stoup with an inscription. The Mayor then read the inscription on the stoup to be presented to Captain Whitmore. It was as follows: –

A tribute / of respect from / Town and University, / to / GEORGE FREDERICK WHITMORE, / Captain 3rd (Cambs.) Vol. Batt. Suffolk Regiment. / One of those who, at their country’s call, left / Cambridge for service in South Africa, / 1900-1901.

These stoups were then presented by Miss Emily J. Taylor, the Mayoress. The copy, it is interesting to note, was from one kindly lent by Magdalene College, the date being 1682. The weight of each stoup is 12 ozs. The arms of the Town and University, and the badge of the Suffolk Regiment, with its motto, “Montis insignia culpe”, are inscribed upon the cup with the name of the recipient.


Cambridge Independent Press, 14th June 1901

THE VOLUNTEER SERVICE COMPANY.

Reception and Ball at Cambridge.

Since their return from South Africa, the Service Company of the 3rd (Cambs.) Volunteer Battalion of the Suffolk Regiment have received the heartiest of welcomes from their friends at Cambridge, and last night they were the principal guests at one of the most successful functions ever held in the Guildhall. This was a reception and dance given in their honour by Colonel C.T. Heycock and the officers of the Battalion. The gathering possessed all the life and colour that one is accustomed to see at the Volunteer Ball, whilst the added significance of the occasion brought to it an unusual brilliancy. The Guildhall looked charming with its many decorations. The orchestra was banked with beautiful flowering and foliage plants, surmounted by pretty screens, whilst mirrors, standard lamps, flags and draperies were artistically introduced. The balcony was gaily draped, and there were floral decorations in other parts of the room. The vestibule – curtained off – was used as a retiring room. It was laid with rugs, staged with plants and standard lamps, and set with the cosiest of furniture. Refreshments were supplied in the small room and the Aldermen's Parlour, everything being provided in the most liberal manner. The guests were received by Colonel Heycock, who was supported by quite a host of officers. The Mayor (Mr H.M. Taylor) and the Mayoress (Miss Taylor) were present. The Town Council was well represented, many leading residents attended, and invitations had been sent to all the comrades of the Service Company as well as to many of their friends. Hence there was a very numerous company, and when the dances – of which there were fourteen – were in full swing the large room presented the pretty spectacle of a military ball, the khaki uniforms of the returned men being easily recognisable.

There was one very interesting feature of the gathering. The Service Company has within the last few days been completed by the return of Privates L. Stoakley and S. Andrews, who were left in Africa. They were cordially welcomed, and after a few remarks by the Mayor received at the hands of the Mayoress silver stoups similar to those given to their comrades a few weeks ago.

The Volunteer Band (directed by Mr Horlock) supplied the dance music.






Photograph of Captain Whitmore's stoup, reproduced in "The home-coming of the Cambridge Volunteers. An Illustrated Souvenir" (p. 4), published by the Proprietors of the Cambridge Graphic.



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Neville what a feat! I seldom have come across a thread where everything that can be said about the topic was covered in the first post. A reference!

Neville - I totally agree with Everhard. Not sure how you do it but it would take me a year to put all that together! Once again the photo's are superb as are the images of the Stoups. Of course all the men listed survived the ABW, can't help wondering how many perished in the Great War and how many of the undergraduates/graduates who survived the Great War rose to eminence later in life? NB I don't expect you to make a supplementary post to satisfy my curiosity! Regards, David.

A few more photographs, etc., from the Whitmore archive.


































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