County: Westmorland
Issued on: Return
Dates of presentations: 28/06/1901, 01/08/1902, aft. 08/08/1902
Number issued: 5 or 8
28/06/1901 presentation
7287 Private Thomas TAYLOR
Taylor also received a purse of £3 16s 6d.
Presentation made by Lieutenant-Colonel Robinson.
01/08/1902 presentation
7531 Private F. RAWES
Each of these men also received a purse of £2 10s.
Aft. 08/08/1902 presentation
POTENTIAL RECIPIENTS
7798 Private James THISTLETHWAITE
Described as "suitably inscribed with the names of the recipients and the occasion of the presentation".
PRESENTATION TO LANGDALE VOLUNTEERS.
LAKELAND’S VOLUNTEERS’ SHARE IN THE WAR.
LANGDALE’S TRIBUTE.
The last batch (Privates J. BENNETT, J. THISTLETHWAITE and Stephen MOFFATT) of the Langdale’s volunteers for active service arrived home safe and sound on Friday night amidst a scene of great enthusiasm. A number of their comrades journeyed to Windermere Station to meet them and when they arrived, about 10 o’clock at night, at Eltertwater, the inhabitants of slateland had turned out in prodigious numbers to welcome them home. The brass band played “See the conquering hero” as the men in khaki rode into the village and there was tremendous cheering. The men looked very brown and fit, having kept clear of illness.
This, with Privates A. WILSON, of Grasmere, makes ten volunteers which the small but patriotic I Company have contributed to the war, though others also offered their services. When the first batch of volunteers was called for there was no lack of willing ones in Langdale, and two were selected to accompany Captain THOMPSON. A second call was soon made on the volunteers, which again was heartily responded to almost everywhere, and again Langdale showed up in a truly patriotic manner – no fewer than five of the I Company being eventually selected, four of whom were Langdale men. In the meantime, the two first arrived home and were enthusiastically welcomed by comrades, friends and relatives, and it was felt that some suitable present should be given to each. Accordingly the hat was sent round, and a sum of money subscribed sufficient to procure a handsome present for each man. The presentation was then publicly made by Col. Robinson, and consisted of a handsome silver watch and albert to Private H. COWARD, and a gold albert and seal to Private T. TAYLOR, of fell race fame. It was then felt that Langdale, having put its hand to the plough, could not stop until the whole of the volunteers who had gone forth, and who had equally merited recognition at the hands of the dalesmen, should receive some suitable memento of their devotion. In consequence, as soon as it was ascertained that a third detachment was to be sent out and that the second would therefore return, Langdalians began to look about and prepare for their home-coming. Captain Wakefield’s somewhat pathetic letter on the necessity of relieving the second batch had no deterrent effect on the members of I Company, as there were again five volunteers for service. Only three of these were, however, selected and duly despatched to the scene of warfare, and in due course the second batch returned and were heartily welcomed by all, the last stage of welcome being reached last week, when Lieut. Balme presented each man with a handsome gold curb albert and seal, together with a purse containing £2 10s. The recipients were Privates J.H. KIRKBY, A. FAIRCLOUGH, F. RAWES and T. DOVER. The alberts were supplied by Messrs Rhodes, Kendal. The seals were suitably inscribed with the names of the recipients and the occasion of the presentation. In making the presentation Lieut. Balme stated that he was delighted to distribute the presents which had been subscribed for by the people of Langdale, Loughrigg and Skelwith to those of the volunteers who had returned from arduous service in South Africa. It reflected great credit on the Company that it had sent ten men and shown a willingness to send more to place themselves in peril for King and country and they had great cause for thankfulness that though there had been sickness there had been no loss of life amongst their own men. It was the pleasure of the neighbourhood to present those men with some token of their esteem, and on behalf of the subscribers he had great pleasure in handing over the valuables named.
Private J.H. KIRKBY responded on behalf of the recipients and thanked all subscribers for the handsome presents.
Mr Pierce said they were thankful and proud to welcome back again these men and to be able to show this appreciation of their loyalty and devotion. He felt sure that, should the occasion ever arise, which God forbid, the same spirit would pervade this company which had now been so conspicuously shown. They were all devoutly thankful that they had returned sound and well, and he sincerely hoped that the experience gained in discipline would remain with them all their days and that it would spread and bear fruit amongst their fellow volunteers.
Amongst those present were the Rev. R.S. Hulbert, Col. Robinson, Mr J.J. Astley, Miss Pierce, Mr J.M. Thompson, Mr Remington, Mr J. Thompson and others.
