County: North Yorkshire
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 20/06/1901
Number issued: 10
Cased gold medals and framed illuminated addresses, to:
7258 Private Arthur SPENCE
500 Trooper Edward [Ted] FLOWERS
3288 Trooper John Dukinfield SWARBRECK (absent; subsequently Lieutenant Swarbreck, 115th Company, 25th Bn. I.Y.)
12302 Trooper Walter James ROGERS
The York Herald of 10/02/1900 states that a further three Bedale men were to go to, or had gone to South Africa: Privates T. RUTTER, John Thomas TESSIMOND & John CONSTANTINE. The latter two certainly appear on the medal roll. Did these men receive medals? A certificate to Tessimond, from the people of Crakehall (2 miles west of Bedale), is in the Paul Dunn Collection.
The Darlington North Star of 11/06/1901, lists the following as Bedale Volunteers: Captain EWART, Sergeant LAMB, Corporal W. HORNER, Lance-Corporal J.T. HORNER, Privates HALL, HESELTINE, LUMLEY, CONSTANTINE, RUTTER, SPENCE, RAW, JEFFREY, and T. PICKERSGILL. The mismatch between the list of recipients of the Bedale medal and that of the Bedale Volunteers suggests that the medals were only presented to men living with in the bounds of the township of Bedale (including Leeming Bar and Aiskew).
THE BEDALE VOLUNTEERS.
THE RETURNED TROOPS.
THE BEDALE WELCOME TO MAJOR BERESFORD-PEIRSE.
An interesting programme was carried out at Bedale yesterday in connection with the home-coming of Major BERESFORD-PEIRSE, the local members of the Yeomanry, and the Active Service Volunteers of the Yorkshire Regiment. The town wore a gay aspect, bunting having been freely used to enliven the appearance even of small dwellings, as well as the public and business establishments. A thanksgiving service was first held in the Parish Church. A procession was formed at the Drill Hall, where the Town’s Reception Committee met the Yeomanry (under the command of Major BERESFORD-PEIRSE), the local company of the 1st V.B. (P.W.O.) Yorkshire Regiment, and the returned soldiers, together with the Church Lads’ Brigade. The company was headed by the Bedale Band. There was a crowded congregation at the church, where the Lesson was read by the Rev. R. Beresford-Peirse, M.A., Leeds Parish Church. An address was delivered by the Vicar (the Rev. Windham Beresford-Peirse, M.A.). The service ended with the Te Deum, the singing of the National Anthem, and “Onward Christian Soldiers”.
The entire company then adjourned to the lawn in front of Bedale Hall, the grounds of which were thrown unreservedly open throughout the day. Mr Thomas Linscott (hon. secretary of the Reception Committee) invited Lady Beresford-Peirse to present to each of the Bedale returned Volunteers a gold medal and an illuminated address. This her ladyship did, the following being the recipients: – Major BERESFORD-PEIRSE, Troopers Ted FLOWERS and J.D. SWARBRECK, Corpls. Thomas W. HORNER, Abraham HORNER, Ptes. W.J. ROGERS, J. MYERS, T.A. HEUGH, A. SPENCE, J.T. HORNER.
Sir H. Beresford-Peirse said they were proud of “Our Boys”, and of the valour they had displayed. (Applause). They went out to serve the very best Queen who had ever sat on the Throne, and had come back under a new and excellent King. (Applause). They had done their duty nobly and well. (Hear, hear). He hoped they would wear their tokens, and keep them with their illuminated address so long as they lived. He then asked for “three cheers for the khaki men”, which were given and thrice repeated.
The men were subsequently entertained at a banquet held in a large marquee in front of the Hall, covers being laid for about 200. Sir Henry Beresford-Peirse, who presided, was supported by Lady and Major BERESFORD-PEIRSE, Major R.L. Bower, C.M.G., Capt. D.A.G. Lascelles, Major Bell, Dr Horsfall, the members of the Town’s Reception Committee, and leading residents. After the loyal toasts, Major Bower proposed the toast of the day, “Our Guests”. He coupled with the toast the name of Major BERESFORD-PEIRSE, who went out as the youngest officer in the Yeomanry, but was now a major. He knew from those in a position to know that he was considered a born leader, and was worshiped and beloved by his men. (Cheers).
Major BERESFORD-PEIRSE, who was enthusiastically received, said that was a proud moment in his life. The magnificent reception accorded them that day, and their handsome gifts would be treasured, not because of the outward symbols, but because they knew they represented the heartfelt wishes. (Hear, hear). That was an historic day for the Town of Bedale. In the course of a short time all the original Volunteers would have returned both to England and the Colonies, and replaced by other and stronger contingents. Battalions and companies representing 15,000 new Imperial Yeomanry had landed in South Africa and replaced what remained of the 10,000 originally sent out. There was a sad feeling amongst those who had come home that they had not been able to return as it were with a clean bill, having finished the work they were sent out to do. He did not wish to raise controversial questions as to why they should have come back. They would let that alone, but they could not help feeling that they had left many friends and comrades who were enduring hardship and suffering from the winter, and for many of whom there would never be any home-coming. While Bedale had been lucky in the return of all its men, he had lost two of his own men, living in the district, Troopers Omri JACKSON and Jack STYAN, with whose relatives he sincerely sympathised, but they had died as soldiers should die, and offered their lives for their country. (Applause). There was no army that could hold together unless they had one common bond of union. (Hear, hear). They went out to fight for the King, the Country, and the Empire, and the Yorkshires had an especial esprit de corps in trying to keep up the pride and honour of the grand old country, knowing that all were anxiously watching their movements, proud of their successes, and sharing their sorrows. (Cheers).
Dr Horsfall proposed the health of Sir Hy. Beresford-Peirse, which was received with musical honours.
THE WELCOME HOME TO THE BEDALE VOLUNTEERS.
Yesterday was specially set apart to welcome home the members of the Imperial Yeomanry and the Yorkshire Service Company from the Bedale district, who had been at the front in South Africa. The proceedings commenced at noon, when the members of the “C” Troop of Yorkshire Hussars, the “B” Company of the 1st Volunteer Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, the Bedale and Aiskew Parish Councils, and the Bedale Church Lads’ Brigade met at the Volunteer Drill Hall, and, headed by the Bedale Brass Band, marched in procession to St Gregory’s Parish Church, where an appropriate service was held, conducted by the Revs. Windham Beresford-Peirse, rector; Rev. R. Beresford-Peirse, curate of Leeds; and the Rev. E.T. Murray.
Afterwards, a gathering took place on the lawn in front of Bedale Hall, where gold medals and a handsomely illuminated address, subscribed for by the inhabitants of Bedale township, which includes Leeming Bar and Aiskew, were handed by Lady Beresford-Peirse to the following men who had returned from the front: – Trooper W.J. ROGERS, Private Thomas H. HEAGH, Private Joseph MYER, Lance-Corporal Thomas Watson HORNER, Private Arthur SPENCE, Private John Tom HORNER, Troopers J.D. SWARBRECK (absent), FLOWERS, and Major BERESFORD-PEIRSE. The latter briefly thanked Lady Peirse on behalf of the men.
Three cheers were then given for Lady Peirse, and after Sir Henry Peirse, Bart., had briefly replied for Lady Peirse, the company adjourned to the luncheon tent.
At the luncheon over 200 sat down. After the loyal toasts, Major R.L. Bower, C.M.G., who was received with applause, said that Colonel Godman was prevented from being present. He was, however, very much obliged to Major Peirse and the Yeomanry and Volunteers for their services in South Africa. (Applause). They would remember two winters ago, the terrible times they went through. War had been declared in South Africa, and their colonies were being overrun, while their small army in South Africa had been driven back, their small garrisons surrounded, day after day, and telegrams came to hand giving intelligence of things going wrong, while Continental Powers were laughing at them, and saying that at last England was going to be humbled. Their Militia and Reserves were called out, and answered to a man, while their Yeomanry and Volunteers came forward and offered their services to their country. They were accepted, and left behind their comfortable homes and positions, and went out to keep the old flag flying – (loud applause) – and now they were there that day to welcome them home again as good Englishmen, who had kept the old flag flying. (Hear, hear). He wished to thank them, on behalf of the people of Bedale township, on behalf of Yorkshire, for the valuable services they had rendered. They had borne hardships and carried their lives in their hands. They had suffered from hunger, and borne both extreme cold and heat uncomplainingly.
After the toast had been received with musical honours, Major Henry Beresford-Peirse, who was loudly cheered, responded, and expressed his deep sense of gratitude at the magnificent reception they had had from the people of Bedale and district on their return home. He could assure them that none of the men present would ever forget the splendid reception they had had, in fact, that day would undoubtedly be a historic one in Bedale. He pointed out that they Yeomanry and Volunteers had been replaced, the former by 15,000 new Imperial Yeomanry in South Africa, and the latter by the Militia. He alluded in most sympathetic terms to the death of Trooper Omri JACKSON, of Londonderry, who fell early in the campaign at Boshof, and was buried in a soldier’s grave; and Jack STYAN, of Leyburn, who left South Africa about ten days before he (Major Peirse) did, and who was cut down by enteric, and buried at sea. They all offered their heartiest sympathy to the relatives. He trusted the campaign they had gone through would result in a stronger bond of union between the men who had served at the front and the inhabitants of the parish of Bedale.
After the chairman had been thanked, on the motion of Dr Horsfall, the proceedings closed.
