County: Inverness-shire
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 23/11/1901
Number issued: 20
Gold medals, to:
Presentation made by Lady Lovat, in the Drill Hall, Beauly.
Subscribed for by inhabitants of the Beauly, Muir of Ord, and Aird districts.
"Medals of the value of £2 each, beautifully designed, were specially struck for the occasion, having on one side the raised figure of a mounted scout with full military equipment" (Aberdeen Press & Journal, 26/11/1901).
Designed and supplied by Mr Chalmers, jeweller, Beauly.
Note: The Scotsman states that only fourteen members of Lovat's Scouts received gold medals on this occasion, suggesting that six men were absent.
BEAULY.
THE RETURNED BEAULY LOVAT SCOUTS.
THE PRESENTATION TO LOVAT SCOUTS.
THE LOVAT SCOUTS.
Fourteen of the original company of Lord Lovat’s Scouts returned from South Africa, belonging to Beauly, Muir of Ord, and Aird districts, were entertained in the Drill Hall, Beauly, on Saturday, and presented with gold medals, subscribed for by the inhabitants of the district. Lady Lovat, Beaufort Castle, made the presentation. The public were permitted to witness the ceremony, and the building was filled to overflowing. Her ladyship was supported on the platform by her daughter, the Hon. Muriel Fraser; Hon. Mrs B. Maxwell, Phoineas House; Colonel the Hon. Henry Fraser, North Lodge, Beaufort; and Sir Kenneth Mackenzie of Gairloch, Conan House, who presided. Sir Kenneth Mackenzie, in addressing the Scouts, who were formed up in front of the platform, said that the presents were subscribed for by the inhabitants of the district as a token of their appreciation of the bravery of these men in coming forward to serve their country. At the commencement of hostilities it was thought the war would soon be finished. He was sorry they had been very grievously mistaken. The country had suffered heavy losses in men, and the Lovats Scouts had not enjoyed immunity more than other branches of the service. But the war must be prosecuted to its termination, and it was their duty to assist the Government to bring it to as speedy a termination as possible. Great credit is due to Lord Lovat for having raised the corps bearing his name, to make the work of scouting a special business, and to get men specially trained for that work. He was sure they were all proud of Lord Lovat’s Scouts, and the good work they had done. Lady Lovat then handed the medals to the Scouts as each of them came forward to the platform at the call of Sergeant-Major McNeil, Inverness. Captain Charles STIRLING briefly replied on behalf of the recipients, and expressed the thanks of the Scouts for the very kind and hearty way they had been received, and for the handsome presents given them.
Ross-shire Journal, 25th October 1901
PRESENTATIONS TO LOVAT SCOUTS
The twenty members of the returned corps of Lovat Scouts hailing from Beauly and district were entertained in the Drill Hall, Beauly, on Saturday, and made the recipients of magnificent gold medals. Some time ago a public meeting was held in the Drill Hall, Beauly, and as the outcome of this, medals of the value of £2 each, beautifully designed, were specially struck for the occasion, having on one side the raised figure of a mounted scout in full military equipment, while the surplus was devoted towards purchasing a beautiful massive silver cup for Lieut. Chas. STIRLING, one of their officers, who has gallantly volunteered for active service with the fresh contingent now in course of training at Inverness. The cup is supported by three silver telescopes – articles that proved of so much use in the South African campaign – and is mounted on a large black ebony stand, bearing an appropriate inscription.
The names and rank of the scouts honoured on Saturday are – Lieutenant STIRLING, Sergeant J. DEWAR (mentioned in despatches and D.S.O.), Corporal J. FRASER, Corporal J. McDONALD, Corporal J. RITCHIE, Corporal John PATERSON, and Privates J. McDONALD, D. MATHESON, A. McKILLOP, Frank GOLD, D. McIVER, B. McDONALD, J. McKENZIE, J. MORRISON, D. McLEAN, A. McLEAN, H. McLENNAN, F. McKENZIE, Simon FRASER, and A. HENDERSON.
Punctually at 3.30 Lady Lovat and party from Beaufort Castle entered the hall, and were received with a great outburst of cheering. Sir Kenneth Mackenzie read apologies for absence from, among others, Colonel Grant, Inverness; Major and Mrs Stirling, Kinellar Lodge, Strathpeffer; Lady Eleanor Brodie of Brodie, Mr and Mrs Fraser Tytler of Aldourie, Captain McDonald, Fort William; Mr Cameron, Moniack Castle; Mr Gunn, Nutwood, Strathpeffer, and Dr Leach, Beauly.
Sir Kenneth Mackenzie then briefly reviewed the course of the war, paying a high tribute to Lord Lovat’s foresight in proposing to raise a corps of scouts, who afterwards did such valuable and serviceable work.
The scouts then, on the call of Sergeant-Major McNeill, Inverness, beginning with Lieutenant STIRLING, stepped smartly up to the platform where they received their decoration at the hands of Lady Lovat, who addressed a few words of kindly welcome to each recipient.
Lieutenant STIRLING received a great ovation on coming forward to thank Lady Lovat and the inhabitants of the district for their handsome presents. He frankly admitted it was more than they deserved, for he felt that if some of them had had their deserts they would not be there that day, while so many splendid fellows lay stark and stiff in South Africa. They had received nothing but kindness since they came home, first at Inverness, then at Beaufort from Lady Lovat, and now there for the third time.
Three cheers for the King and Lord Lovat were at the close heartily given.
