Medals and awards

Swindon Skittle Club

County: Wiltshire
Issued on: Return/Departure
Date of presentation: 28/09/1901
Number issued: 1

 

Skittle medal, to:

Somerset Light Infantry –
???? Private Bert BUTCHER
 

Presentation made by Mr Johns, in Bridge Street, Swindon.

Presentation made on the eve of Private Butcher's departure to rejoin his regiment, after having been invalided home a month earlier.

"Arrangements were hurriedly made, and a meeting called for Friday last, to present him with a handsome skittle medal, which had been waiting for him nearly two years!"

 

 
 
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Swindon Advertiser, 4th October 1901
 

CLUBLAND.

At Bridge Street on Friday evening a gathering of the members of the Skittle Club took place, the object being to do honour to one who formerly was a member of their League team, viz., Private Bert BUTCHER, who some two years ago was called upon to join his regiment, the Somerset Light Infantry, as a Reservist, and proceed on active service to South Africa. Whilst at the Front, Pvt. BUTCHER was with General Buller, and took part in the stirring incidents of Spion Kop, the Tugela River, and the relief of Ladysmith. About a month ago he arrived in England, invalided home, and it is pleasing to know that his health has greatly improved since his return to his native land. Seeing that he was very shortly to rejoin his regiment, his colleagues of the Skittle Club determined he should not go back without some token of their respect and esteem. Arrangements were hurriedly made, and a meeting called for Friday last, to present him with a handsome skittle medal, which had been waiting for him nearly two years!

Of course, the first business was the discussion of a light repast, after which Mr W. Johns took the chair, and, in presenting the medal, remarked upon the evident good feeling existing between the recipient and his brother skittlers, and expressed the hope that his health would continue to improve, and that he would be spared to wear the medal many years. In response, Private BUTCHER said he was very pleased and thankful to be with them once more, after the dangers and hardships he had gone through. It was very gratifying to him that his old mates had thought of him while he was absent, and he should treasure the medal so long as he lived. The health of Private BUTCHER was then enthusiastically drunk with three times three, after which harmony prevailed, amongst those contributing to the programme being Messrs J. Cross, T. Lovelock, H. Meader, F. Hope, F. Dangerfield, A. Major, W. Gribble, T. Nash and C. Hill, Mr Fred Lovelock presiding at the piano. The arrangements were well carried out by Mr J. Hill, secretary of the Skittle Club.
 
 
 
Details
Parent Category: Tribute medals
Category: S
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