Doncaster Boer War Tribute Medal

 

County: South Yorkshire
Issued on: Return
Dates of presentations: 10/04/1902, 02/07/1902, 08/07/1902, 13/08/1902, 19/11/1902, 18/11/1903, 10/08/1904
Number issued: 141

 

Gold medals and the Honorary Freedom of the Borough, to:
 

10/04/1902 presentation

1st Volunteer Active Service Company, York & Lancaster Regiment –
6843 Private George Alfred Ramsden COLBECK
6831 Private George Thomas EBBLEWHITE
6863 Private Robert FLOWITT
1860 Private Frank HOPKINSON
6859 Private George William HOPKINSON
7041 Private Ernest Ingham JACKSON
6832 Private Charles LANGFIELD
6861 Drummer Evan David LONG
6850 Private Walter OVERSON
6851 Private William OVERSON
6854 Private Albert RICHMOND
6857 Private Harry SMITH
6864 Lance-Corporal Richard STEPHENSON [Stevenson]

7055 Private Henry WHITLEY

2nd Volunteer Active Service Company, York & Lancaster Regiment –
7018 Private Arthur William Halliwell BISHOP
7024 Private Ellis CRAPPER

7034 Private John FOSTER

9th (Yorkshire) Company, 3rd Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –

486 Trooper Fred Stanley BRIGHTMORE

11th (Yorkshire) Company, 3rd Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –
1928 Sergeant [Trooper] Sydney James BARTON
1945 Trooper John DAWSON

1975 Trooper Charles HOPKINS

Presentation made by the Mayor (Councillor Windle).
 

02/07/1902 presentation

1st Volunteer Active Service Company, York & Lancaster Regiment –

6862 Private James Charles AUSTIN [Charles Austin]

Presentation made by the Mayor of South Shields (Councillor G. Beattie), at a meeting of South Shields Council.

Austin had moved to South Shields and the Mayor of Doncaster had forwarded the medal to the Mayor of that town, so that he could make the formal presentation.
 

08/07/1902 presentation

109th (Yorkshire) Company, 3rd Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –

23475 Trooper Charles Henry Witts

Presentation made by the Mayor of Swindon, in Swindon Town Hall.
 

13/08/1902 presentation

11th (Yorkshire) Company, 3rd Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –

22940 Trooper Charles William RICHMOND

66th (Yorkshire) Company, 16th Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –
27956 Trooper Alfred FAUNT
25296 Trooper Thomas LEE
23114 Trooper Charles POLLOCK

12347 Trooper Tom William WILLERTON

109th (Yorkshire) Company, 3rd Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –
32248 Trooper Joseph ARDITTO

26147 Trooper Ernest BARLOW

Unknown Regiment –

????? Charles HOBSON

Presentation made at the fourth quarterly meeting of Doncaster Town Council.
 

19/11/1902 presentation

2nd Volunteer Active Service Company, York & Lancaster Regiment –
7023 Private William CHAMPNEY
7035 Private Edward FULLER
7045 Private Benjamin PARKIN

7012 Private Arthur James RUNDELL

3rd Volunteer Active Service Company, York & Lancaster Regiment –

8000 Private William Henry WEBB

Composite Cyclist Corps –
7532 Lance-Sergeant Edward John STUART

7133 Private Arthur GEE

5th (Warwickshire) Company, 2nd Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –

24144 Trooper Charles Herbert ADDINALL

7th (Leicestershire) Company, 4th Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –
23058 Trooper Ernest Edwin BAKER
23060 Trooper William BODLEY
23062 Trooper Albert Edward CHAPMAN
23063 Trooper Arthur Edward CLARKE [Clark]

23084 Trooper Alfred RYALL

9th (Yorkshire) Company, 3rd Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –
26118 Trooper William Ernest BATE
26129 Trooper Westmoreland CURTIS
26126 Trooper Thomas FLYNN
26780 Trooper Robert Holley HARPER [Robert Horlley Harper]
26781 Trooper Joseph HYDE
26798 Trooper Albert MARSH
26794 Trooper Ernest MORTON
26801 Trooper Edmund RENDER
26155 Trooper George Frederick RICHARDSON
26163 Trooper Henry SWABY
26121 Trooper William Arthur WALTON
26145 Trooper Fred WILLCOCK

26122 Trooper Arthur WINCH

11th (Yorkshire) Company, 3rd Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –
25799 Lance-Corporal Robert Henry MEANWELL
22908 Trooper John Richard ADDINALL
22912 Trooper John Thomas Bates BROWN
25805 Trooper Harry SANDERSON
2012 Trooper John Henry SHEPHERD

30085 Trooper Harry TROLLOPE

29th (Denbighshire) Company, 9th Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –
27933 Lance-Corporal John William BEAVIS

27960 Trooper Alfred Ernest GABBITUS [Gabbitas]

32nd (Lancashire) Company, 2nd Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –
27942 Trooper James Herbert COBB
27943 Trooper Richard Bingham DEIGHTON
27962 Trooper Arthur GRINDLE
28015 Trooper Ambrose SIMPSON

28016 Trooper Franklin SUTTON

39th (Berkshire) Company, 10th Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –

25808 Trooper Arthur SCULTHORPE

48th (North Somerset) Company, 7th Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –

22903 Trooper George William TYE

51st (Paget's Horse) Company, 12th Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –

26795 Trooper George MYERS

50th (Hampshire) Company, 17th Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –

26773 Trooper Charles William DAY

66th (Yorkshire) Company, 3rd Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –
23046 Lance-Sergeant William RAYNER (absent - presented on 10/08/1904)
25285 Trumpeter George Harry COOPER
25282 Trooper John Wilson CHARLESWORTH
27935 Trooper Henry CUNNINGHAM
23460 Trooper William Henry LEVITT
25303 Trooper Alfred OVERSON
25311 Trooper Charles Henry RILEY
22898 Trooper Joseph SPINK

23050 Trooper John Edward STEVENSON

66th (Yorkshire) Company, 16th Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –
12349 Sergeant William Thomas WASLEY

12281 Bugler Thomas WOODIWISS

71st (Sharpshooters) Company, 18th Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –

32804 Trooper Albert Edward HALL

77th Company, 8th Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –

22970 Trooper Arthur WOODCOCK

109th (Yorkshire) Company, 3rd Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –
32255 Trooper Martin ANSBRO [Ansbrough]
32257 Trooper George Henry BOOTH
32274 Trooper George BROCK
27920 Trooper George BUTLER
32275 Trooper James Morris BUTTERFIELD
32290 Trooper George CHANT
32280 Trooper Tom CLARK
32289 Trooper Robert John CROSS
32305 Trooper George DALE
23459 Trooper Arthur JOHNSON
32391 Trooper Alfred James MASON
32459 Trooper Evelyn Charles SCOTT

32455 Trooper Thomas William SCRIVENS

111th (Yorkshire) Company, 3rd Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –
32326 Trooper John FLANIGAN
32405 Trooper John NETTLESHIP

25812 Trooper Christopher THOMPSON

126th Company, 27th Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –
38291 Trooper Walter ANDERSON
38296 Trooper William BURTON
38316 Trooper Abner HANSON [Abler Hanson]
37774 Trooper Albert HANSON
38322 Trooper Charles JOY
38342 Trooper George William SEWELL

37781 Trooper Edwin Charles SHILLITOE

127th Company, 28th Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –

39978 Trooper Cuthbert L. THOMPSON

Unknown Regiments –
????? Fred Hamilton JOHNSON
????? William SIMPSON

????? Thomas WILLIAMS

Presentation made by the Mayor (Councillor Robinson) at a quarterly meeting of Doncaster Town Council in the Guildhall.
 

18/11/1903 presentation

9th (Yorkshire) Company, 3rd Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –

26792 Trooper Arthur MACHIN

Presentation made at an adjourned meeting of Doncaster Town Council.
 

10/08/1904 presentation

4th (Glamorganshire) Company, 1st Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –
23014 Trooper Herbert HORAN

23108 Trooper Frederic LAMBERT [F.C. Lambert] (?)

7th (Leicestershire) Company, 4th Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –

23068 Trooper John FLANNIGAN [Fanagan]

9th (Yorkshire) Company, 3rd Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –
26132 Trooper Tom Rusby BENNETT

24169 Trooper William JACKSON

11th (Yorkshire) Company, 3rd Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –
1922 Trooper Clarence W.A. ANDREWS

32371 Trooper William LAMPORT

27th Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –
37772 Sergeant Robert BELDON
37777 Trooper John LEVITT
37778 Trooper Ernest LINDLEY

37784 Trooper Harry WAGSTAFF

29th (Denbighshire) Company, 9th Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –

27987 Trooper Walter LOCKWOOD

32nd (Lancashire) Company, 2nd Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –

28017 Trooper Samuel STACE

39th Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –
39452 Trooper George BELL

43110 Trooper Arthur BURLEY

66th (Yorkshire) Company, 3rd Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –
25290 Corporal Arthur HALLAM

23046 Lance-Sergeant William RAYNER

66th (Yorkshire) Company, 16th Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –
12208 Lance-Corporal F. Heywood DUNSTAN

12348 Trooper Ernest Wilfred WEBB

111th (Yorkshire) Company, 3rd Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –

32273 Trooper Henry William BROUGHTON

129th Company, 28th Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –
39507 Trooper W. HOOPER (?)

39517 Trooper F. MEANWELL [Martin F. Meanwell] (?)

146th Company, 32nd Bn. Imperial Yeomanry –

39487 Trooper Robert WILLEY

Imperial Yeomanry –

26115 Trooper Leslie Hugh ROSE (did not sail for South Africa)

Unknown Regiments –
????? G.A. GALE
????? Isaac JAMES

????? J.T. THOMPSON

Presentation made at the quarterly meeting of Doncaster Town Council.

 

KNOWN EXAMPLES HIGHLIGHTED IN GREEN

 

Type 1 (1901).
Obverse with the arms and motto of the Corporation (in enamels): "COMFORT ET LIESSE / SOUTH AFRICAN WAR 1900-01".

Reverse: "TO / [GEORGE H. BOOTH] / FROM THE / CORPORATION / OF / DONCASTER".

Type 2 (1902).
Obverse with the arms and motto of the Corporation (in enamels): "COMFORT ET LIESSE / SOUTH AFRICAN WAR 1900-02".
Reverse: "TO / [TOM R. BENNETT] / FROM THE / CORPORATION / OF / DONCASTER".
 
Red morocco case blocked in gilt: "SOUTH AFRICAN / WAR / 1900-01".
 
Made by Vaughton & Sons; supplied by The City Jewelry Co., 6 Baxter Gate, Doncaster.
 
Note: the second version of the medal (1902 striking) is about 0.5 mm shallower at the rim than the other issues, and the 1904 striking is larger, having a diameter of 33 mm opposed to 31.5 mm, with the addition of ropework around the inside of the rim of the reverse. Completely new dies were made for the second striking. These were repurposed for the final issue, with alterations to the legend and rim.
 
 

On 13 December 1901, the council-in-committee further recommended that 'a suitable token in gold, not to exceed £2 be presented to each of the honorary freemen' (Doncaster Archives ref AB/2/2/7).

 

The freedom of the borough was inscribed on parchment and enclosed in a leather case.

Certificates executed by Mr Eddell, School of Art Master.

 

 

Doncaster Boer War Tribute Medal

 

 

Boer War Doncaster Tribute Medal Booth

 Close-up, showing the medal worn as a watch fob by 32257 Trooper George Henry BOOTH (with QSA & Yorkshire Medal)

 

 

Robert Cross example held in the collection of the National Army Museum, London [NAM. 1997-11-14-2] (1902 hallmarks).
Samuel Stace example sold through Buckland Dix and Webb, 30/06/1994, est. £400-£500 (example illustrated in Hibbard; 1904 hallmarks).
Tom Bennett example sold through Spink, 21/10/1999, for £633 (1904 hallmarks)
William Burton examples sold through Dix Noonan Webb, 16/12/2003, for £370 (damage to enamel; 1902 hallmarks)
Samuel Stace example sold through Dix Noonan Webb, 16/12/2003, for £410 (1904 hallmarks).
John Flanagan example sold through Dix Noonan Webb, 06/07/2004, for £450 (1904 hallmarks).
William Burton examples sold through Dix Noonan Webb, 23/09/2011, for £1,300 (1902 hallmarks).
George Booth example offered through Dix Noonan Webb, 22/07/2015 (unsold; 1902 hallmarks)
Arthur Burley example sold by Sheffield Auction Gallery, 23/03/2018, and Spink, 24/07/2018, for £350 (substantial damage to enamel; 1904 hallmarks).
William Champney example sold through Nesbits Auctions, 22/05/2019, for £720 (with applied rose gold disk over original inscription, suggesting that this example has been re-named; damage to enamel; 1902 hallmarks).
Joseph Hyde example sold through Dix Noonan Webb, 25/09/2019, for £1,000 (with QSA & WWI family trio; damage to enamel; 1902 hallmarks).
Edwin Shillito example sold through eBay, 02/01/2023, for £1,500 (some enamel loss; cased; 1902 hallmarks)
Samuel Stace example illustrated in Hibbard (1904 hallmarks).
Sydney Barton example described in Hibbard (1901 hallmarks).
George Myers example in the Paul Dunn Collection (1904 hallmarks, which are at odds with the 19/11/1902 presentation date).
 

 

 

 

Leeds Mercury, 11/01/1902
Leeds Mercury, 11/04/1902
Leigh Chronicle, 18/04/1902
The Scotsman, 20/11/1902
Hibbard #A11 (Barton & Stace)
Buckland Dix and Webb, 30/06/1994 (Stace)
NAM. 1997-11-14 (Cross)
Sheffield Auction Gallery, 23/03/2018 (Burley)
eBay, 05/01/2023 (Shillito)
Information provided by Paul Dunn, 11/07/2023
 
 
__________________________________________
 
 
 
Sheffield Evening Telegraph, 10th April 1902
 

DONCASTER VOLUNTEERS AND THE WAR.

Municipal Honours for the Men.

A special meeting of the Doncaster Town Council was held yesterday for the purpose of conferring the honorary freedom of the borough upon the twenty residents of the town who have served in South Africa as Volunteers. At the same time a gold token or medal was given to each man, which bore on one side the arms of the Corporation in enamel, and the motto “Comfort et liesse”, with the words “South African War 1900-01”. The freedom of the borough was inscribed on parchment, and enclosed in a leather case.

The Mayor (Councillor Windle) presided and among those present were Aldermen Wainwright, Pawson, Abbott, Councillors Armitage, Brightmore, Mainwaring, Dowson, Ellis, Halmshaw, Spencer, Bennett, Wightman, Tovey Gyles, Smith, and Robinson, the Town Clerk (Mr T.B. Sugden), the borough Steward (Mr Anclay), the borough Surveyor (Mr W.H. Crabtree), the Medical Officer (Dr Techmere Anderson), and the borough Accountant (Mr H.C. Thornsby).

There were also present the Mayoress (Mrs Windle), Mrs A. Foulston, Mrs Sugden, Lieut.-Col. Lewis, Majors Somerville and Crawshaw, Capt. Essell, Adjutant of the 2nd V.B. York and Lancaster Regiment, and others.

The Mayor proposed the following resolution –

That in accordance with the resolution of the Town Council passed on the 1st day of January, 1901, the honorary freedom of this borough be conferred on the persons whose names are hereunder set forth, under the provisions of the Honorary Freedom of Boroughs Act, 1885, for the following services, to wit – that they, being resident in the said borough, did volunteer to serve in South Africa, and did there undertake the perils and privations of warfare on behalf of their native land. And further that upon each of the said persons taking the usual ancient and customary oath of the a freeman he be presented with a certificate of admission under the common seal of the Town Council, in the form set forth in the certificate now produced –

James Charles AUSTIN, Sydney James BARTON, Arthur William Halliwell BISHOP, Fred Stanley BRIGHTMORE, George Alfred Ramsden COLDBECK, Ellis CRAPPER, John DAWSON, jun., George Thomas EBBLEWHITE, Robert FLOWITT, John FOSTER, Charles HOPKIN, Frank HOPKINSON, George William HOPKINSON, Ernest Ingram JACKSON, Charles LANGFIELD, Evan David LONG, Walter OVERSON, William OVERSON, Albert RICHMOND, Harry SMITH, Richard STEPHENSON, and Henry WHITLEY.

Councillor Robinson, in seconding, said he had seconded many resolutions during his ten or eleven years’ connection with the Doncaster Corporation, but he never did so with greater pleasure than he did on that occasion. It was possible that when those gentlemen volunteered so willingly to go to the war in those dark days when things looked gloomy they did not realise what they had undertaken, but they had gone through it, and he was thankful that they had them there with them that day. The Mayor and committee had done their level best to carry this matter out, and had met to confer the freedom of the borough upon them, and they all believed they richly deserved the honour. (Applause).

Councillor Spencer said that having taken some part in the movement he felt that he could not let the opportunity pass without saying a few words. He believed that in the dark days nearly three years ago those men took their lives in their hands for the sake of their then Queen and country, and they were pleased to see so many present that day. He understood that a few had gone back to the front, and he hoped that they would come home again and have the freedom of the borough conferred upon them in the same way, and be able to hand it down to generations to come. (Applause).

The Mayor, in handing the medals to the recipients, said the parchment was of no intrinsic value in itself, but it would remind them of days when they left these shores to serve their country, and it would also show that the Volunteer force of the country had to be reckoned with. (Hear, hear). He added that he hoped they would wear the medals for many years to come.

The proceedings then ended.
 
 
Sheffield Independent, 11th April 1902
 

The names of the recipients were as follows: –

Yeomanry.
Fred Stanley BRIGHTMORE, Hall Cross Villa, served in 1900.
John DAWSON, junr., Norman House, St George Gate, served in 1900-1.
Charles HOPKIN, 14 Beech Grove, Hawthorne Avenue, Anlaby Road, Hull (formerly Doncaster).

Sidney James BARTON, Sycamore House, Bawtry, 1900-1-2.

Volunteer Infantry.
Geo. Wm. HOPKINSON, 21 Cambridge Street, 1900-01.
Wm. OVERSON, 24 Fitzwilliam Street, 1900-01.
Harry SMITH, 73 St James’s Street, 1900-01.
Geo. Alfred Ramsden COLBECK, 15 Waterdale, 1900.
Ernest Ingham JACKSON, 18 Waterdale, 1900.
Richard STEPHENSON, 19 Exchange Street, 1900.
Henry WHITLEY, 41 Stone Close Avenue, 1900-01.
Evan David LONG, 35 Halford Street, Swansea; late of 143 Cleveland Street, Doncaster, 1900.
Robert FLOWITT, 24 Cemetery Road, 1900-01.
Geo. Thos. EBBLEWHITE, 56 Beechfield Road, 1900-01.
Frank HOPKINSON, 21 Cambridge Street, 1900-01.
Chas. LANGFIELD, 10 High Fisher Gate, 1900.
Walter OVERSON, 33 Cemetery Road, 1900-01.
Albert RICHMOND, 9 Catherine Street, 1900-01.
Ellis CRAPPER, 62 East Laith Gate, 1901.
John FOSTER, 42 Printing Office Street, 1901.
Arthur W. Halliwell BISHOP, 3 Jarratt Square, 1901.
James Chas. AUSTIN, 37 Julian Street, South Shields; late of 83 Nelson Street, 1900-01.
 
 
Shields Daily Gazette, 3rd July 1902
 

COMPLIMENT TO A RESERVIST.

The TOWN CLERK read a letter which the Mayor had received from the Town Clerk of Doncaster, pointing out that the Corporation had resolved to confer upon all persons who, residing in that borough, volunteered for active service in South Africa and actually served, the freedom of the borough, together with a gold token. One of the persons who qualified for these honours was a man named James Charles AUSTIN, who formerly resided at Doncaster, but has since taken up residence at 37 Julian Street, South Shields, and the Corporation of Doncaster asked the Mayor of South Shields on their behalf to make the presentation to AUSTIN for them.

The MAYOR said he had very readily complied with the suggestion, and at his request the young man AUSTIN was present that night in order that the presentation might be made as public as possible. (Applause).

AUSTIN was thereupon admitted to the Council Chamber and received a warm reception from all who were present.

The MAYOR explained the circumstances under which the presentation took place there, and with his best wishes for the young hero’s success in life, handed over the gold token. – The recipient in reply, thanked the Mayor and the Council for thus honouring him.
 
 
Swindon Advertiser, 11th July 1902
 

PRESENTATION TO A YEOMAN.

A rather interesting ceremony then took place. The Mayor having announced that they had completed the business of the Council, said he was about to perform a duty which was distinctly pleasing. It would seem that a Swindonian some time ago removed to the town of Doncaster, and he with many others of that town volunteered for active service in South Africa. On his return to England, instead of taking up his residence again in Doncaster, he came back to what was his native town – Swindon. It appeared that the Corporation of Doncaster had resolved on the return of these brave fellows from the Front to offer them, first, the freedom of the Borough, and, secondly, present each man with a gold medal. This particular Yeoman, Mr C.H. WITTS, had written to the Mayor of Doncaster, saying it was inconvenient for him to go to Doncaster to receive the freedom of the Borough, although he (the Mayor of Swindon) wished Mr WITTS could have seen his way clear to have done so, so it was a great honour to receive the freedom of the borough. The Mayor of Doncaster had written to him (Ald. Morse) asking him to present the gold medal to Mr WITTS, and he gladly complied with the request.

The Mayor then called upon Mr WITTS, and, in handing him the medal, said he hoped he would soon receive the freedom of the Borough of Doncaster.

Mr WITTS, who served in the 100th Yorks Yeomanry, accepted the medal, thanking the Mayor as he did so. The medal bore the inscription – “C.H. Witts, from the Corporation of Doncaster”, and on the reverse – “Comfort et liesse – South Africa, 1900-01”.

The meeting then came to an end.
 
 
Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 14th August 1902
 

APPOINTMENT OF HON. FREEMEN.

The first business was not only unusual, but exceedingly interesting, and consisted of the conferring of the honorary freedom of the borough upon the following residents for active service in South Africa – Joseph ARDETTO, Ernest BARLOW, Alfred FAUNT, Charles HOBSON, Thomas LEE, Charles POLLOCK, Charles William RICHMOND, and Tom William WILLERTON (a member of the borough police force). Each person received a certificate of admission under the common seal of the Council, and a gold token, with inscription.
 
 
Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 20th November 1902
 

DONCASTER TOWN COUNCIL.

FREEDOM OF THE TOWN FOR THE WARRIORS.

The adjourned meeting of the Doncaster Town Council was held in the Guild Hall, yesterday. The meeting was held in the large hall, instead of in the Council Chamber, and the Mayor (Councillor Robinson) presided.

VOLUNTEERS AND YEOMEN MADE FREEMEN.

The first business was to confer the honorary freedom of the borough on Volunteers and Yeomen who have served in South Africa. The following came forward, and were sworn in, and made freemen of the borough –

Charles Herbert ADDINALL, John Richards ADDINALL, Walter ANDERSON, Martin ANSBRO, Ernest Edwin BAKER, William BATE, John William BEAVIS, William BODLEY, George Henry BOOTH, George BROCK, John Thomas Bates BROWN, William BURTON, George BUTLER, James Morris BUTTERFIELD, William CHAMPNEY, George CHANT, Albert Edward CHAPMAN, John Wilson CHARLESWORTH, Arthur Edward CLARKE, Tom CLARK, James Herbert COBB, George Harry COOPER, Robert CROSS, Harry CUNNINGHAM, Westmoreland CURTIS, George DALE, Charles William DAY, Richard Bingham DEIGHTON, John FLANIGAN, Thomas FLYNN, Edward FULLER, Alfred Ernest GABBITUS, Arthur GEE, Arthur GRINDLE, Albert Edward HALL, Abner HANSON, Albert HANSON, Robert Holley HARPER, Jos. HYDE, Arthur JOHNSON, Charles JOY, Fred Hamilton JOHNSON, William Henry LEVITT, Albert MARSH, A.J. MASON, Robert Henry MEANWELL, Ernest MORTON, George MYERS, John NETTLESHIP, Alfred OVERSON, Benjamin PARKIN, William RAYNER, Edmund RENDER, George Frederick RICHARDSON, Charles Henry RILEY, Arthur James RUNDELL, Alfred RYALL, Harry SANDERSON, Evelyn Charles SCOTT, Thomas William SCRIVENS, Arthur SCULTHORPE, George William SEWELL, John Henry SHEPHERD, Edwin SHILLITO, Ambrose SIMPSON, William SIMPSON, Joseph SPINK, John Edward STEVENSON, Edward John STUART, Franklin SUTTON, Henry SWABY, Christopher THOMPSON, C.L. THOMPSON, Henry TROLLOPE, George William TYE, William Arthur WALTON, William Thomas WASLEY, William Henry WEBB, Fred WILLCOCK, Thomas WILLIAMS, Arthur WINCH, Arthur WOODCOCK, Tom WOODIWISS.

Each one was sworn to be true and faithful to our Sovereign the King, and to keep all such laws and rules as shall be established by the Mayor and Council.

The members of the Council then proceeded to the Council Chamber.
 
 
Western Daily Press, 20th November 1902
 

HONOURING VOLUNTEERS.

FREEDOM OF DONCASTER.

At a quarterly meeting of the Doncaster Town Council, yesterday, 84 Doncaster men who had volunteered and served in various companies of the Imperial Yeomanry, were presented with illuminated scrip, conveying the honorary freedom of the borough and a gold medal, with the borough arms on one side, and the recipient’s name on the reverse side, with the words “South African War, 1902”.
 
 
Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 19th November 1903
 

DONCASTER TOWN COUNCIL.

An adjourned meeting of the Doncaster Town Council was held at the Guild Hall yesterday, the Mayor (Councillor J.T. Spencer) presiding.

The Freedom of the Borough.

The honorary freedom of the borough was conferred upon Arthur MACHIN, who volunteered and served in the South African War. The freedom was enclosed in a roll, and accompanied by a medal.
 
 
Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 11th August 1904
 

DONCASTER TOWN COUNCIL.

The quarterly meeting of the Doncaster Town Council was held yesterday, the Mayor (Councillor J.T. Spencer) presiding.

The Freedom of the Borough.

The honorary freedom of the borough was conferred on the following volunteers and yeomen, who served in South Africa – Clarence W.A. ANDREWS, Robert BELDON, George BELL, Tom R. BENNETT, Henry William BROUGHTON, A. BURLEY, F. Heywood DUNSTAN, John FLANAGAN, A. HALLAM, W. HOOPER, H. HORAN, W. JACKSON, F.C. LAMBERT, W. LAMPORT, John LEVITT, E. LINDLEY, W. LOCKWOOD, Isaac JAMES, Martin F. MEANWELL, William RAYNER, Leslie H. ROSE, G.A. GALE, S. STACE, J.T. THOMPSON, H. WAGSTAFF, E.W. WEBB, and R. WILLEY. Each person was the recipient of a gold medal and a certificate of the freedom of the borough, under the corporate seal.
 
 
Spink, 21st October 1999
 
CORPORATION OF DONCASTER TRIBUTE MEDAL, gold and enamel (Hallmarks for 9ct., Birmingham, 1904), obverse, central enamelled Arms and Motto of Doncaster with lion bearing a banner with the Town's Crest above, and Royal and Union Flags flanking, 'South African War 1900-02' around, reverse engraved, 'To Tom R. Bennett from the Corporation of Doncaster', with decorated border around, 33mm., with loop and ring suspension, extremely fine. 
 
 
 
 
 
Doncaster Champney Rev comp s
 
Reverse of Bennett and Champney medals, showing atypical engraved gold disk applied to the latter. Note the additional ropework around the rim of the Bennett medal, a feature only seen on the third (1904 hallmarked) version.
 
 
 
 
 Doncaster 1901 1902 comp ALL ss
 
 
Close-ups of the dates on the three strikings, showing the different typefaces used and the poorly executed "2" of 1902, seemingly sculpted by hand rather than cast from a mould. The rims of the 1900-01 and 1900-02 versions are treated differently, resulting in a difference in diameter of 1.5 mm. The 1900-01 medals (hallmarked 1901 & 1902) are 31.5 mm, whereas the 1900-02 examples (hallmarked 1904) are 33 mm. The die for the central motif remained unaltered for the 1902 and 1904 hallmarked medals. That for the first stiking (1901 hallmarks) was only used for the original issue.