Medals and awards

Gold medals, to:

 

1520 Colour-Sergeant E.J. REYNOLDS

8154 [154] Private William Alexander COWIE

8155 [155] Private John Alexander McKENZIE (invalided)

Presentation made by Provost Symon, in Dufftown Town Hall.

 

Presentation made by Provost Symon, in the Burgh Chambers, Dufftown.

 

"He is also to be presented with a gold medal, identical with those received by the members of the other service companies".

 

 

 

 

 

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Elgin Courant, 3rd May 1901

 

DUFFTOWN.

ARRANGEMENTS TO ENTERTAIN THE VOLUNTEERS.

 

 

Elgin Courant, 17th May 1901

 

THE RETURNED VOLUNTEERS.

WELCOME AT DUFFTOWN.

THE Dufftown Volunteers who have just returned from the front were entertained to a public banquet in Symon’s Hall and presented with commemorative gold medals, subscribed for by the public, on Wednesday last. The Dufftown Company of Volunteers marched from St James’s Hall to the Public Hall, the men in khaki, namely – Col.-Sergeant REYNOLDS and Pvts. COWIE, PROCTOR, and MACKENZIE – being in front. Corporal WATSON, who was also at the front, was also one of the guests. Provost Symon presided, and Captain Innes and Bailie Maclennan were croupiers. …….

……. The Provost said that they had now come to the object for which they had met – to give a hearty reception to their gallant heroes – (cheers). They could remember the feelings in their breasts when their brave lads were leaving them, at the sacrifice of everything earthly, even of their lives. They went away in all likelihood never to return; and now their pleasure was more than ordinary when they saw a substantial portion of them back again after experiencing the troubles, the dangers, and the difficulties incident to war. There they were without a scratch, and their gratitude on that occasion was great indeed – (cheers). Foremost amongst them was the favourite soldier of the Dufftown Volunteers – Sergeant REYNOLDS – (loud applause, renewed again and again). He (the Provost) was very much obliged to them, especially the Volunteers, for the warm reception they had given to his words regarding Sergeant REYNOLDS. The respect in which the Sergeant was held extended to a wider area than where they were sitting under the shadow of the Convals. They would have noticed that at the entertainment to be given to the Gordon Highlanders at Aberdeen on the 24th inst., the London Scottish – in fact the 2nd Service Company of the Gordon Highlanders – had sked to be allowed to attend the meeting for the purpose of presenting their gallant sergeant with a gold watch – (cheers). That was a testimony not only to Sergeant REYNOLDS as a soldier, but as a private man who was willing to aid and help every one in sickness and distress, and he said without fear of favour that Sergeant REYNOLDS, though he was a comparative stranger there, had reflected an underlying honour upon Dufftown. He had been speaking to their young friends who had returned, but they must not forget those whom they had left behind, and, above all, those who would never return. They were met there that night in the midst of joy and gladness to welcome their friends, but what must their thoughts be when they felt as those at home did for those whose bodies were lying low beneath an African sun. He was certain that in the midst of their rejoicing at the safe return of the Volunteers present there was not one amongst them but felt for the homes that were desolate that night. Sad to say, there were two in the community. Whilst they would join in wishing all the happiness, the comfort, and peace that this world could bestow on those who had done their duty so nobly for their King and country, they would pray that the Almighty would support the bereaved in their hour of trial. The Provost concluded by asking the company to drink to their guests, coupling with the toast the name of Sergeant REYNOLDS.

The toast was heartily pledged.

Colour-Sergeant REYNOLDS, in reply to the toast, gave a most interesting narrative of the various engagements and experiences of the Second Volunteer Service Company. In the course of his remarks, he said – The company joined the 2nd Gordons at Arcadia Camp, Ladysmith, on 25th March. They started the advance on the 19th May, entering the Transvaal on the 29th, arriving near Majuba on the 2nd June. They quartered at Newcastle until the 20th July, when they left again for the Transvaal. They were first under fire on the 22nd July at Grass Kop. The first engagement was on the 24th July at Rooi Kopje, where they lost one man killed and five wounded. Captain Rogers was amongst the wounded. On the 7th August they took Amersfoort; on the 12th August they arrived at Ermelo, and Carolina on the 14th August. On the 26th and 27th August they were engaged at the battle of Bergendal, where they had one wounded and one prisoner. The company entered Machadadorp on the 28th August. On the 8th September, at Lydenburg, the company was struck by a shrapnel shell from a Long Tom, which killed one and wounded sixteen of the company, two of the latter afterwards dying from their wounds. It was here that our fellow-townsman, Donald STUART, met his death. Sergeant REYNOLDS then humorously described how the battalion came across an abandoned waggon of flour, which they commandeered, and spent the night baking scones on pieces of corrugated iron. On the 1st October the force was shelled at night at Kruger’s Post, and on the 9th October they left for home, getting a good send-off from the officers, and a parting speech, in laudatory terms, from General Kitchener. The company arrived at Pretoria on the 20th October, taking part in the proclamation of the annexation of the Transvaal on the 25th October, arriving in Cape Town on the 6th November for embarkation for home as escort to Lord Roberts. Owing to the invasion of the Colony, they were sent up to Picquetberg Road on the 12th December, and on to Beaufort West for convoy duty on the 29th January, making two trips to Fraserburg, and one from Fraserburg to Kaffir Kraal. On the 6th of April they were under orders to proceed to Richmond Road. These orders were happily changed for home. They left on the 8th April, and sailed from Cape Town on the 10th, arriving at Southampton on the 29th, and Aberdeen on the 30th, where they had a splendid reception, and were paid off and sent home. In the course of his address, Sergeant REYNOLDS was frequently cheered.

The Provost then said he had a very pleasant duty to perform, to present to their heroes gold medals, for which their friends in that community had liberally subscribed. After pinning the medals on to the breast of each Volunteer, the Provost continued – Sergeant REYNOLDS and young friends, on behalf of our friends of this town and district I would ask you to accept from them these gold medals, as a token of the respect and regard that they have towards you for the part you have taken in the war in South Africa, and for the many hardships you have endured. I sincerely hope that each and all of you may be long spared to wear these medals as souvenirs of the honour in which you are held, and that when the time comes they will be handed down to those who come after you; so that they may know of the respect and esteem in which you were held by your fellow-citizens – (cheers).

ENTERTAINMENT TO GORDON VOLUNTEERS AT DUFFTOWN.

A banquet was held in the Town Hall, Dufftown, on Wednesday evening, in honour of the following volunteers returned from the front – Colour-Sergeant REYNOLDS, Privates COWIE and PROCTOR, and also Private McKENZIE, who was invalided home at the end of last year. The arrangements for the event were made by a committee composed of the magistrates and the officers of the volunteer company. Provost Symon presided, and Captain Innes and Bailie Maclennan acted as croupiers. There was a fair attendance. …….