County: Monmouthshire
Issued on: Departure
Date of presentation: 25/01/1900
Number issued: 1
Gold pendant, to:
7527 Private [Drummer] E.J. DAVIES
Departure from Newport.
The volunteers selected to represent the Second and Fourth Volunteer Battalions of the South Wales Borderers in the volunteer contingent of the line regiment, left Newport on Thursday afternoon for Brecon Barracks, the depot for mobilisation.
……. At the Drill Hall, Stow Hill, the Second Battalion was drilled previous to joining the Fourths, who marched up from Caroline Street with the band at their head playing “Soldiers of the Queen”. Before the men of the Second Battalion were marched off, Colonel Mansel, on behalf of the members of the bugle band, presented Drummer E.J. DAVIES with a gold pendant, inscribed – “Presented to E.J. Davies by the bugle band of the 2nd V.B., S.W.B., on his departure for South Africa”. A few minutes prior to leaving the hall the active service company were addressed by Colonel Mansel, who said “I think men, it is a great credit to the county of Monmouth that we have such men to come forward. I know there is another company in reserve in case they are wanted. I am sure you all have the good wishes not only of the officers of the Second Battalion, but of every person in Monmouthshire. We wish you good luck. We know you will do your duty, and fight like our men who have gone before, and we’ll follow ourselves if necessary. I hope you will have the best time possible under such circumstances as you will meet with.
