Medals and awards

6987 Private James R. AITKEN

6999 Private John GRANT

6986 Private [Lance-Corporal] Alexander GUNN (absent - at Beauly)

6996 Private Alexander W.J. MATHESON

6995 Private Alexander McBEATH (died, Bloemfontein, 02/08/1900 - did his family receive a medal?)

7000 Private Colin MORRISON

7001 Private William ROSS

Presentation made by Senior Bailie Mackintosh, on behalf of the burgh, in Dornoch Town Hall.

 

Lieutenant R.G. CAMPBELL

6984 Sergeant David LOGAN

6998 Private William McLEOD (also served as 37221 Sergt McLeod, 1st Scottish Horse)

6997 Private Alexander MURRAY

These volunteers also received silver cups from Mr Arthur Bignold, M.P. for the Northern Burghs. Seven cups were distributed in January 1902. These were inscribed (for example): "Private Colin Morrison, / No 7000, 1st Vol Coy Seaforth Highlanders, / SOUTH AFRICA, 1901 / Pax alma redit".

 

 

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Highland News, 10th February 1900

 

 

 

Inverness Courier, 3rd May 1901

 

DORNOCH.

Five of the twelve Volunteers who left for the front fifteen months ago returned home on Tuesday evening, and were accorded a splendid reception. They journeyed by rail from Fort George to the Mound Station, along with several other Volunteers belonging to the Battalion. At the Mound Station they were met by Colonel Mackintosh and Captain H.M. Mackay, who drove with the men to Dornoch. Seven men in all returned, but one dropped off at Beauly, and the other at Rogart, where their parents reside. The five who reached Dornoch were Privates John GRANT, Colin MORRISON, William ROSS, Alex. MATHESON, and James AITKEN.

On the recommendation of the Town Council the houses were gaily decorated, and during the afternoon business was entirely suspended. The Town Council, the Volunteer Corps in full uniform, and the town and pipe band, followed by a crowd of several hundred people of all ages, met the Service Volunteers at the burgh boundaries, where they were vociferously cheered. The horses were at once unyoked, and many willing hands assisted in pulling the carriage through the town to the Cathedral Square. Here the crowd was greatly augmented, and at least a thousand people must have been present at the thanksgiving service which followed. The Rev. Donald Grant, chaplain of the corps, conducted the service, the choir being under the conductorship of Sergeant Angus Ross. The service was interspersed with suitable music from the bands. The service concluded, the Volunteers and as many of the public as could be accommodated, adjourned to the County Buildings, where gold mementoes were presented to the lads returned from the war. Senior Bailie Mackintosh, in the unavoidable absence of Provost Sutherland, made the presentation, and explained that the mementoes were gifted by the Town Council for and in the name of the people of Dornoch. In a fitting and complimentary speech, Bailie Mackintosh welcomed the Volunteers back, and lauded the gallant spirit that had inspired them fifteen months ago to go out and fight for Queen and country.

  

Aberdeen Press & Journal, 01/05/1900 (list of Dornoch Volunteers, with their addresses)

 

6987 James R. AITKEN (24), c/o James Aitken, Trentham, Dornoch.

6999 John GRANT (22), c/o Mrs J. Grant, Dornoch.

6998 William MACLEOD (22), c/o John Macleod, Achnairn, Colloboll, Laing.

6996 Alex. W.J. MATHESON (21), c/o Alex. Matheson, Clashnacrave, Dornoch.

6984 David LOGAN (33), c/o William Logan, blacksmith, Balvraid, Dornoch.

6986 Alexander GUNN (27), c/o Mrs Malcolm McDonald, Home Cottage, Ferry Road, Beauly.

6997 Alex. MURRAY (30), c/o Betsy Murray, Doll, Brora, Sutherland.

7001 William ROSS (21), c/o John Ross, Gilchrist Square, Dornoch.

7000 Colin MORRISON (19), c/o Robert Morrison, St Gilbert Street, Dornoch.

6995 Alex. MACBEATH (23), c/o Mrs T.M. Macbeath, Fluchary Parks, Dornoch.

 

 

 

 

One of the Bignold Cups given to the Dornoch Volunteers. This example presented to 7000 Private Colin MORRISON.

Towards the end of April 1901, Mr Arthur Bignold, Liberal M.P. for the Northern Burghs of Scotland, resolved to make a presentation of silver cups to Volunteers from his constituency who had seen active service in South Africa. 45 men from the five Royal Burghs - Dingwall, Dornoch, Kirkwall, Tain & Wick - received the gifts.