TOPIC:

Hello,
Are there any photos of the Westmorland and Cumberland Imperial Yeomanry 24th Company.
I have found several letters from my great grandfather, Frank Hall, that were published in the local papers in 1900. I found these in the British Newspaper Archives.
They set off from Penrith 10th February to Liverpool and then sailed on the SS Afric on 11th.
It would be great to see some photos.
Thanks
John.

Hello John,

I will see if I can find any photographs of the Company.

In the meantime, below is some work I have done on the gold-plated / silver watches that Penrith and District presented the men on their return. Your great grandfather was one of the recipients at the July 1901 ceremony.

Neville



Penrith & District





County: Cumberland
Issued on: Return
Dates of presentations: 15/05/1901; 11/07/1901; 14/07/1901; 22/08/1902
Number issued: 56 or 57

 
Gold-plated Waltham watches / silver watches, to:
 
15/05/1901 presentation (gold-plated)

1st Volunteer Active Service Company, Border Regiment –
7287 Sergeant James SMITH
7180 Corporal [Sergeant] George W. BELL
7202 Lance-Corporal John LAWSON
7178 Private James E. ATKINS
7181 Private John BOAK
7294 Private John BURRELL
7185 Private Daniel DALEY [Daly]
7293 Private Moses DALTON
7187 Private Tom W. DAVIDSON
7193 Private Joseph William HARRISON
7195 Private William HINDSON
7197 Private Adam IRVING
7204 Private Robert MOFFAT
7212 Private William RICHARDSON
7214 Private James SISSON
7222 Private Jarard TAYLOR (absent - in hospital)
7295 Private James WILSON
7227 Private James WRIGHT

Presentation made by Mr James Scott (Chairman of the District Council), in the Market Hall, Penrith.
 

11/07/1901  presentation (silver)

24th (Westmorland & Cumberland) Company, 8th Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –
Captain William Hugh PARKIN
3905 Quartermaster-Sergeant Thompson LITTLEFAIR
3851 Sergeant George HUTCHINSON
3852 Sergeant Joseph William PEARSON
3857 Lance-Corporal [Corporal] Herbert Workman ATKINSON (absent – presented on 14/07/1901)
3913 Lance-Corporal [Corporal] William James MUIR
3872 Trooper [Shoeing-Smith] Robert BURNS
3858 Trooper John Alfred ATKINSON
3860 Trooper Charles BANNER
3875 Trooper Thomas Herbert CLEMENTS
3880 Trooper Fred DORRIAN
3883 Trooper Ernest Henry FENTON (wounded, Faber's Put, 30/05/1900 – invalided)
3975 Trooper Frederick James FENTON
3891 Trooper John HETHERINGTON
3889 Trooper Frank HALL
3894 Trooper Robert HODGSON
3895 Trooper George HOGARTH
3901 Trooper Fred KITCHEN
3902 Trooper Robert KITCHEN
3906 Trooper Charles LOWTHER
3912 Trooper Albert Robinson MUIR
3915 Trooper Roachford NICHOLSON
3982 Trooper Isaac PARK
3930 Trooper Norman RUSHFORTH
3932 Trooper Ernest SCOTT-BROWN
3933 Trooper Walter SCOTT-BROWN
3935 Trooper Thomas James SIDDLE
3936 Trooper William SIDDLE
3940 Trooper Thomas William SLEE
3938 Trooper Joseph Herbert SIMPSON
3941 Trooper Edward SPRUCE
3943 Trooper Clement TAYLOR
3946 Trooper Joseph THRELKELD
3951 Trooper Arthur WARWICK
3955 Trooper John WRIGHT (K.I.A., Faber's Put, 30/05/1900 – did his family receive a watch?)

Presentation made at the Crown Hotel, Penrith.
 

14/07/1901  presentation (silver)

24th (Westmorland & Cumberland) Company, 8th Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –
3857 Lance-Corporal [Corporal] Herbert Workman ATKINSON

Presentation made by Messrs Edward Stephenson & James Rawes, at Kirkbarrow, Greystoke.
 

22/08/1902  presentation (gold-plated?)

2nd Volunteer Active Service Company, Border Regiment –
7443 Private Julius C. BROUGHTON
7450 Private Robert CURTIS (absent – watch forwarded to him)
7452 Private D.E. GRAHAM
7456 Private W. MURRAY

Presentation made by the Right Honourable J.W. Lowther, M.P., at a banquet at the Crown Hotel, Penrith.
 
 
KNOWN WATCHES HIGHLIGHTED IN GREEN
 
 
Volunteer watches inscribed: "Presented to ________ by the town of Penrith, for services as a Volunteer in the South African War, 1900-1901".

Yeomanry watches inscribed: "PRESENTED BY THE INHABITANTS / IN PENRITH & DISTRICT / TO / SERGT. G. HUTCHINSON / OF THE 24TH COMPANY I.Y. / In commemoration of his Services / IN SOUTH AFRICA / 1900-01".

 
Volunteer watches supplied by Mr J. Bowman, Middlegate, Penrith.
Yeomanry watches supplied by Mr J. Simpson Yeates, goldsmith, Penrith.
 
 
 
Instead of watches, the following received gold tribute medals & alberts, as they had already been presented with watches by their native villages:

24th (Westmorland & Cumberland) Company, 8th Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –
3966 Saddler Robert BROWN (of Keswick)
3874 Trooper Thomas CHEESMAN (of Shap)
3979 Trooper William MOUNSEY (of Watermillock)

 
Trooper Dorrian watch sold through Lockdale's Auctioneers, 02/04/2025, for £700. 
 
 
 
Carlisle Journal, 14/05/1901
Lancashire Evening Post, 17/05/1901
Yorkshire Post, 18/05/1901
Cumberland Herald, 18/05/1901
Penrith Observer, 21/05/1901
Yorkshire Post
Lancashire Evening Post, 11/06/1901
Lancashire Evening Post, 11/06/1901
Penrith Observer, 02/07/1901
Penrith Observer, 09/07/1901
Cumberland & Westmorland Herald, 13/07/1901
Yorkshire Post, 17/07/1901
Penrith Observer, 16/07/1901
Lancshire Evening Post, 19/08/1902
Banquet Programme, 22/08/1902
Penrith Observer, 26/08/1902
Lockdales Auctioneers, 02/04/2025
Constantine Collection
Dunn Collection
 
 
_________________________________________

 
 
Carlisle Journal, 4th May 1901
 
THE WELCOME TO THE PENRITH VOLUNTEERS AND YEOMANRY.

The homecoming celebrations of the Penrith Volunteers are to culminate on Thursday evening, and the arrangements were completed last night. At a town's gathering in the Market Hall a solid silver sword, beautifully ornamented and chased, will be handed to Lieutenant HASWELL by Mr James Scott. chairman of the Urban District Council. The sword bears the following inscription: –  “Presented by the town of Penrith to Lieutenant J.F. Haswell, Volunteer Service Company the Border Regiment, as a mark of its esteem and appreciation of his courage and patriotism in volunteering for active service and serving in the South African War during 1900-1901”. The men of the “G” and “H” Companies who served under Lieutenant Haswell will each be presented with a good, sound watch. The cases are gold-covered, warranted to wear for twenty years. Inside the following inscription is engraved, with the name of the man to whom it is presented: – “Presented to ________ by the town of Penrith for services as a Volunteer in the South African War, 1900-1901”. In addition to the foregoing an enlarged photograph of the men, framed with a fine print of the town’s resolution of appreciation, will be handed to Lieutenant Haswell and each of his men. After the ceremony in the Market Hall a public banquet in honour of the men will be given in the Georgia Hotel.
 
 
Penrith Observer, 21st May 1901
 
THE VOLUNTEER HOME-COMING.

PRESENTATION IN THE MARKET HALL.

Penrith has had to go through its rejoicing for the safe return of the local Volunteers on the instalment system. The list is not yet completed, but on Thursday evening there were two further functions of great interest, one being quite unique in its character. The people of the town and district subscribed considerably over £100 for the purpose of paying due honour to Lieutenant J.F. Haswell and the Rifle Volunteers whom he has brought back. A portion of that sum was spent in welcoming the men on their arrival three weeks ago today, and a further amount was ear-marked to give more abiding mementos of the occasion. The Public Events Celebration Committee had the arrangements in hand, and it was decided to procure a sword of honour for the local commandant and other gifts for the non-commissioned officers and men. The trophy is a very handsome piece of work, of solid silver, beautifully chased. On the blade in relief stand the words: “Presented by the town of Penrith to Lieutenant J.F. Haswell, Volunteer Service Company, the Border Regiment, as a mark of its esteem and appreciation of his courage and patriotism in volunteering for active service and serving in the South African War, 1900-1901”. A gold Waltham watch was purchased from Mr J. Bowman, Middlegate, for each of the non-commissioned officers and the privates, and bore the following inscription: “Presented to ________ by the town of Penrith for services as a Volunteer in the South African war, 1900-1901”. There was in addition for each man a large photograph of the Penrith section, taken by Mr Richards in the Friarage garden two days after the men returned. The photograph was framed along with an illuminated copy of the town’s resolution expressing appreciation of the services rendered by them to their country. The following were the recipients: Lieutenant HASWELL, Sergeant G. BELL, Sergeant J. SMITH, Lance-Corporal J. LAWSON, Privates DALTON, J.W. HARRISON, R. MOFFAT, W. RICHARDSON, J. WILSON, J. WRIGHT, J. ASKINS, J. BURRELL, J. BOAK, T. DAVIDSON, T. DALY, W. HINDSON, A. IRVING, and J. SISSON.

The first ceremony on Thursday was fixed for seven o'clock in the Market Hall. A portion of the hall had been reserved and seated with chairs; those who paid the lower admission price had to find seats on the benches. Each Volunteer received two tickets for the admission of relatives to the reserved seeds. The platform was very pretty, there being a large collection of palms at the rear, above them being yellow muslin and a number of flags. Mr T. Vipond’s orchestral band was placed in front of the platform. Though the attendance was fair, it did not by any means reach the numbers expected. At seven o'clock Lieutenant Haswell and his men, all in khaki, entered the hall by the Sandgate entrance, and were received with a rousing cheer. They took their seats on the platform. Mr James Scott, chairman of the Urban Council, presided, and was accompanied by Mr George Wainwright, clerk. The sword was exhibited in front of the chairman's table, on which were placed the watches, each with a warranty and leather case. The framed pictures were placed at the side of the table. The band opened the proceedings by playing “Albion's Wreath”, a collection of patriotic songs.

The Chairman, whose opening words could not be heard by reason of the cheering, said: I must express my deep regret that owing to my health and other matters I was unable to be present in Penrith when the company arrived. It was through indisposition that I was kept away, and I regretted it the more because that day marked an epoch in the history of the town of Penrith. (Applause). I feel that no words of mine can adequately express the feeling of gladness that must be in all our hearts, that after the lapse of so many months we should assemble here today under such favourable circumstances, to welcome once more our friends home from the war, and to do them honour. (Applause). I need not speak of the anxiety which was experienced by all ranks and classes of the community, because of the strain caused by that protracted war, but now the anxiety is forgotten in the joy of meeting you face to face on this platform. (Applause). There are things we would not willingly forget. We don't forget that you left home and kindred to go to a foreign country to fight the battles if need be of your King or Queen; that you endured hardship and toil, hunger and thirst, torrid heat by day and probably freezing cold by night; that you braved manifold dangers both seen and unseen, for the honour of the flag and for the protection and defence of the rights and liberties of your fellow-countrymen in the South African Republics. (Applause). A great deal has been written during the last few months, chiefly in the newspapers, with regard to the sanguinary aspects of the war, and no doubt war even at its best presents a very dark side. But we must not forget the reverse side, for there is still a bright side even to the worst war. A great General, I mean Lord Wolseley, who has seen much of war in many lands, thus describes war: “War, with all its evils calls out and puts to proof some of the highest and best qualities of man – fearlessness, daring, endurance, contempt of death, self-sacrifice, readiness to die for one's country or for some other sacred cause”. I venture to say, ladies and gentlemen, that Lieutenant Haswell and his men have exhibited in the highest degree those qualities of self-sacrifice, contempt of danger and death, that the late Commander-in-Chief so eloquently describes. It has been the fashion of late to speak with a sneer of the word “Patriotism”, and no doubt there is a spurious patriotism which shouts from a very secure vantage ground: “Britons never shall be slaves”. But there is a patriotism which disregards danger, which sacrifices itself for the good of one’s fellow men, and that I conceive our brave Volunteers have done in this war. (Applause). They voluntarily left their homes, and risked their lives in the service of their country, and today we honour them for it and recognize the sacrifices they have made. We remember also the honour they have brought to this ancient town of Penrith – (applause) – and I can assure them on behalf of this large and representative audience, and the still larger public outside, that their example, their loyal and self-denying example, and patriotic conduct will be remembered not only by this generation but by generations yet to come. (Applause). The evening is warm, and there is another function to follow this, else one might carry one's remarks a little further. I will, however, come to the purely formal part of the ceremony. The speaker then read the inscription on the sword, and when Lieutenant Haswell rose to receive the gift, he was greeted with prolonged cheering. The Chairman continued: Lieutenant Haswell, it is to me a great honour to present to you, on behalf of your townsmen and friends, this sword of honour, in recognition of the part you have played, and the services you have rendered in the South African campaign. I would express the hope that you may never be asked to make such sacrifices again; but may you live in peace to a green and honoured old age, surrounded by your wife and children, by their children's children, and by troops of friends. I have much pleasure in handing you this sword of honour on behalf of the people of Penrith. (Continued applause).

Lieutenant Haswell, who was again cheered enthusiastically, returned thanks, but at times he could scarcely speak for emotion. He said: I thank you with all my heart for this most handsome present, and for the much too flattering terms in which you have spoken about me. If I had been a successful General instead of a humble subaltern, you could not have done me more honour. I accept your most beautiful gift as a token of the unstinted measure of your kind appreciation of the way in which the Volunteers of Penrith have come forward to serve their country in her hour of need. I can assure you that I consider it the greatest honour that could have been conferred on me to be asked to lead them. When we went away from this country, I expressed my conviction, my perfect confidence, that they would acquit themselves with credit wherever they might be in the field. I think I may justly say that the prediction has been amply justified on their part – (applause) – whether in dreary night marches, amid soaking showers of rain, or in the open bivouac under the silent winter stars; in the trenches, or under the fire of the enemy, on half and sometimes on quarter rations, they have upheld the best traditions of the British Army. (Applause). I would not say that on my own authority, but words to that effect were said at Commando Nek by Colonel Oven and Major Pelly. Major-General W.G. Knox has since spoken of us in a similar way. Since we left the regiment, the men have been largely under my own command, and I can say that since then, I do not say it was not so before, but since then certainly no troops could have behaved better. (Applause). One might produce for your inspection the sheets which are known as defaulter sheets, and I think you would be surprised to see the small amount of crime recorded, for as a rule they were blank. (Applause). Of course crime as understood in the army is a very different thing from crime as regarded in ordinary civil life. The war has lasted much longer than we anticipated, and has entailed considerable sacrifices on all of us, but your unmeasured kindness, for which I am quite unable to thank you adequately, is to us a sufficient reward. I shall treasure this sword as a memento of your kindness and goodness to all of us; I will hand it down to my family as a token that the British people are ever grateful to those who serve them in their hour of need. (Continued applause).

The Chairman then handed to each of the eighteen non-commissioned officers and privates a watch. He said they made great sacrifices for their country. They left family, friends, and occupation, and no doubt some of them had suffered on that account. They came to the rescue of the Empire, they stood forward at a critical moment in her defence, and he could only express the wish that they might never again be called upon to volunteer for active service, because they had already fulfilled all that could be expected of them. He trusted they would all be blessed with good health, to live to a green old age, surrounded by even their children's children. Above all, whether they were in Penrith or elsewhere, he hoped they would make good citizens by making use of their leisure. He expected to see careworn warriors at the very least, but instead he saw some well-favoured men, who must have had a very good time abroad. (Laughter).

The proceedings, which lasted about fifty minutes, concluded with the playing of “God save the King”.
 
 
Penrith Observer, 9th July 1901
 
THE PENRITH WELCOME HOME BANQUET.

The committee’s arrangements for the welcome home banquet are now almost complete. The 24th Company of the Imperial Yeomanry, under Captain Parkin, accompanied by the Active Service Volunteers, under Captain Haswell, and the active servicemen of the Ambulance Brigade, under Superintendent Yeates, will muster at the Drill Hall, on Thursday evening at 6.30. They will march, headed by the Volunteer Band, to the Crown Hotel, where the banquet will take place at seven o’clock.

The members of the Yeomanry who are subscribers and who intend being present at the banquet are to wear dress jackets, overalls, boots, spurs, and forage caps, but it will not be necessary for these men to assemble at the Drill Hall. The townspeople are again desired to place flags and bunting along Portland Place, Middlegate, Devonshire Street, and King Street.

The Volunteer Band will play from 7 to 8 p.m. in Crown Square, and afterwards in Devonshire Street, in front of the George Hotel. The Town’s Band will play from 8 p.m. in the Crown courtyard until the royal toast has been honoured in the Assembly Room, after which it will play in Crown Square until ten o’clock. It is also arranged that at the conclusion of the banquet, a smoking concert will be held, and a presentation of English silver lever watches made to the members of the 24th Company residing in this district, though gold albert guards and pendants will be given to those men who have already received watches at other places. In order to prevent any misunderstanding, the secretaries wish it to be made known that there will be no tickets issued for the smoking concert.   
 
 
Penrith Observer, 16th July 1901
 
THE YEOMANRY CAMPAIGN.

WELCOME HOME.

BANQUET AT PENRITH.

PRESENTATION OF WATCHES AND CHAINS.

The final instalment of the welcome home festivities to the various local war representatives was celebrated on Thursday night, when the Crown Assembly Room was the scene of a very gay and enthusiastic gathering. The response to the appeal for funds to entertain the Yeomen and give them souvenirs was so good that the committee found themselves able to invite the Volunteers and the ambulance men who had seen active service. The whole of the “men in khaki” assembled at the Drill Hall, the Yeomen under Captain PARKIN, and the Volunteers under Captain HASWELL. Led by the Volunteer Band they marched to the Crown Hotel, where a large company had assembled to meet them. Many flags and mottoes were shown in the streets, and the weather being fine there was a considerable turn-out of townspeople. The guests in khaki were accommodated at one long table in the centre of the assembly room, two others being required for the general company, and the chairman’s table was a transverse one at the top of the room. The tables were beautifully decorated with flowers and plants, and the dinner altogether was worthy of the repute of the Siddle family as caterers. …….

The guests invariably took away as souvenirs the menu cards and toast lists, both of which were beautifully printed. The khaki menu card showed the crossed Union Jack and Royal Standard, in relief, the colours being red, blue, and gold, and the same hues were used for the letter press. The toast list, which had the crossed flags, and letter press in blue and red, bore a portrait of Captain PARKIN, which was accompanied by the description from “Hamlet” that he was “The pink of chivalry and / The mould of form”. There were many other Shakespearian quotations on the toast list, which were prefaced by the lines: “We would have all as merry / As first-good company, good wine, good welcome / Can make good people”. Henry VIII.

In the absence of Mr J. Scott, Mr H. Winter, as vice-chairman of the Urban Council, presided, and Mr R.B. Neville was in the vice chair. …….

The 24th Company was represented by: Captain PARKIN, Ravenscragg; T. HUDDLESTONE, Arrad Foot, Ulverston; T. CHEESMAN, Shap; Quarter-Master Sergt. LITTLEFAIR, Gaythorne Hall; W. MOUNSEY, Watermillock; J.H. MASHITER, Lancaster; Trooper PRATT, Rookby Scarth; J.E. SWEDENBANK, Kendal; J.A. ATKINSON, Kirkbarrow, Greystoke; C. BANNER, Halesowen, Birmingham; C.E. MASHITER, Milnthorpe; Corpl. E.W. LITTLEFAIR, Hartley Fold, Kirkby Stephen; J. NELSON, Keswick; H. RENNICKS, Routenbeck, Bassenthwaite Lake; Sergt. J.W. PEARSON, Penrith; J.W. TAIT, Brampton; Sergt. HARRISON, Carlisle; W. BULMAN and G. BULMAN, Carlisle; J.J. TOMLINSON, Low Row; J. THRELKELD, Skirsgill; H.T. WILSON, Lindale, Grange; G. HOGARTH, Penrith; Sergt. HUTCHINSON, Stanwix; J. BELTON, Workington; J. HETHERINGTON, Stainton, Penrith; J.H. GRAHAM, Morton, Carlisle; T. KIRKBY, Preston; H. COOPER, Grange-over-Sands; F. KITCHEN, Penrith; G.G. COULTHARD and F.J. COULTHARD, Stanwix; W.J. MUIR, Clifton; R. KITCHEN, Hackthorpe; J. RUDDICK, Cummersdale; J.H. SIMPSON, Penrith; F. DORRIAN, Whitehaven; J. PARK, Calthwaite; R.M. WITHERS, Selside, Kendal; W. MATTINSON, Keswick; H. BARKER, Grange-over-Sands; J.C. ANDERTON, Greenhead, Carlisle; N. RUSHFORTH, Penrith; E. MUNCASTER, Carlisle; C. TAYLOR, Culgaith; T.H. CLEMENTS, Penrith; E. SPRUCE, Penrith; A.R. MUIR, Wood Street, London; R. FEDDON, Scotby; W. SCOTT-BROWN, Penrith; R. BURNS, Askham; T.J. SIDDLE, Hesket; E. SCOTT-BROWN, Penrith; J. ROUTLEDGE, Scotby; FAULDER, E.H. FENTON and F.J. FENTON, Penrith.

PRESENTATIONS.

The Chairman said a begging circular was issued on behalf of the Yeomen, and in response to it they had a very handsome sum of money sent in. It amounted to more than it was thought judicious to spend in that room, and the committee came to the conclusion that it would be more fitting to spend it on some articles to be given to the Yeomen. (Applause). It was now his pleasant duty to make the presentations. They consisted of a watch for each man in the town and neighbourhood of Penrith. (Applause). Captain PARKIN, he felt sure, would not think it incumbent on Penrith to supply the men who came from the South of England to join the Company with watches, but the committee had decided to limit their work to the men of Penrith and neighbourhood. In one or two cases men had received watches from their native villages, and to those men a gold albert of equal value would be given. (Applause). The committee were making no distinction between Captain PARKIN and his men, and he had pleasure in asking Captain PARKIN to accept a watch. He hoped it would be a good timekeeper, both for the credit of the silversmith who supplied it and the committee. He trusted Captain PARKIN would be up to time, in the future as in the past, and what he said to their Captain was equally applicable to the men. When they looked at those watches, he hoped it would remind them not only of that time of conviviality by that there was an end of time. (Applause). He then presented the watch to Captain PARKIN, who shook hands with the chairman as an expression of his thanks.

 Mr Winter afterwards handed over fifteen watches and two alberts, the following being the full list of those who ultimately will have received the presents:

Watches: Captain PARKIN, Quarter-Master Sergeant T. LITTLEFAIR, Sergeants G. HUTCHINSON and J.W. PEARSON, Corporals H.W. ATKINSON and MUIR, Shoeing-Smith R. BURNS, Troopers E.H. FENTON, T.H. CLEMENTS, MUIR, G. HOGARTH, J. PARK, R. KITCHEN, J.A. ATKINSON, W. SCOTT-BROWN, E. SCOTT-BROWN, C. TAYLOR, T.J. SIDDLE, J.H. SIMPSON, F. KITCHEN, J. HETHERINGTON, R. NICHOLSON, N. RUSHFORTH, E. SPRUCE, J. THRELKELD, F. HALL, A. WARWICK, C. BANNER, W. SIDDLE, F.J. FENTON, R. HODGSON, W. SLEE, F. DORRIAN, C. LOWTHER.

Gold alberts: Saddler R. BROWN, Troopers W. MOUNSEY, and T. CHEESMAN.  

There were thus 34 watches and three gold alberts with medallions, the latter being for men who did not wish to have watches. All the watches and the gold albert chains were supplied by Mr Simpson Yeates, goldsmith, Penrith, who secured the contract from the committee in competition, the committee acting on the advice of an expert in the trade, who had examined the sample watches submitted. The committee was determined to have a first-class watch, which should also be of English manufacture, and they believe that in the English-made keyless silver watch they supplied to the men, they have given an article which will not only last a lifetime, but will always be an interesting memento of a very trying period of their lives. Each watch and pendant bears the same inscription, handsomely engraved, with the name of the recipient, the following being an example: “Presented by the inhabitants of Penrith and district to Captain W.H. Parkin, of the 24th Company, I.Y., in commemoration of his services in South Africa, 1900-01”. Each watch and pendant cost the committee £3 10s. It is worth noting, however, that this was below the cost at which watchmakers could purchase for ordinary retail trade, and Mr Yeates had the inscriptions done at his own expense – a large item for 34 watches.
 
 
Penrith Observer, 26th August 1902
 
PRESENTATION TO VOLUNTEERS.

The Chairman then said: I am now privileged on behalf of the town to have the great pleasure of presenting these watches to three men, natives of Penrith, who went out with the Volunteer Company from here. (Cheers). We have just heard from Colonel Rimington his opinion of the valuable services rendered by the Volunteers of this country, an opinion which I feel sure is shared by the vast majority, I must say unanimously shared by those who think about these matters. We owe a deep debt of gratitude to the Volunteers of this country for coming forward as they did at a time when the sky was somewhat overcast. (Cheers). They came forward readily and were prepared to fill the breach, and we in Penrith did not wish to be behind the rest of the world in showing our appreciation of the great and valuable services rendered to the country on that occasion. (Cheers). I have now the pleasure to ask Private MURRAY, Private GRAHAM, and Private BROUGHTON to receive these watches at my hands. The watches bear a suitable inscription as being presented by their fellow-townsmen in Penrith. (Cheers). Private CURTIS is also entitled to a watch, but as he could not be here the watch will be forwarded to him.

The men received their presents amid loud applause, the chairman shaking hands with and making a few kindly remarks to each.
 
 



Programme for the presentation on 20 Aug 1902
 

..

This is the only photograph I have in my collection. It shows the 23rd (Lancashire) and 24th (Westmorland & Cumberland) Companies loading their horses onto the S.S. Afric, prior to embarkation on 11 February 1900.






Johnson, Trooper L.H., The Duke od Lancaster’s Own Yeomanry Cavalry on Active Service, p. 36 – 39.

We were all much relieved when we steamed into Liverpool docks station, and were able to stretch our limbs and get warm. The train ran alongside our fine transport, the White Star Liner “Afric”, which was almost a new boat and proved herself to be a fine specimen of comfort and sea-worthiness, if not extra speedy at travelling.
We soon had our horses transshipped to the vessel, and made as snug as possible in their stalls, which is none too snug considering the poor beasts have only just room enough to stand upright through the three weeks’ voyage, and it is no wonder that many of them die before they reach their destination. The stalls are arranged in a continuous row round the bulwarks of the ship, both on deck and between decks, each stall being fitted with a metal detachable trough, which hooks onto a beam under the horse’s nose, from which to eat and drink. ……

The Voyage.

Reveille sounded at 5:45 a.m., and the roll call at stables was at 6. Nearly two hours was spent at stables, watering and feeding the horses, and cleaning out the stalls (a very dangerous and troublesome business on a ship). Several of the men had nasty accidents and got badly kicked by vicious horses, most of the horses getting bad tempered and obstinate before the end to the voyage, and landing out with their heels at the men or at each other; they need very careful handling, and are soon dead if they once get sick and give way to it; some of the men have sat up at night and tried to doctor their own horses, and it has been very hard for some to lose a favourite horse which he had hoped to use through the campaign.



This photograph appears in Trooper Johnson's book. Although he was in the 23rd Company, this probably gives a good idea of how his compatriots in the 8th Battalion, the 24th Company, looked while on active service.




..

John - 3889 F Hall - his attestation papers, service records, some medical records (a bonus) and his appearance on 24th Company IY medal rolls can all be found on Ancestry. If you are a member do a military search, just enter his surname and scroll down to the Keyword box and enter 3889. 3889 seems to have been a popular service number and you will need to select the Africa followed by South Africa options on the left of the screen and your GGF will then come out top three of the list.

The medical records show that your GGF's war did not end too well:





Apologies if you have found these documents already.

Regards, David.

PS if you don't have membership of Ancestry send me your email address using the personal message facility on this site.

Hello Neville,

Thank you for sharing all of this, I shall read through everything. I actually have Frank’s pocket watch - I will attach a photo. My aunt passed it on to me when I began my research on the Hall family history on Ancestry. I am currently in the process of putting everything together, I would like to use that photo if I may.

Thank you

John




..

Hello David,

Thank you very much, yes I have these on Ancestry and also found Frank’s service record. I find it fascinating, my dad remembers Frank and wishes that he'd spoken to him more, he knew nothing about his time in South Africa.

Regards

John