County: Westmorland
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 03/07/1901
Number issued: 14
Silver medals, to:
Presentation made by Major Parkin, at the Lowther Castle Hotel, Hackthorpe.
Reverse: "PRESENTED / TO / [TROOPER A R MUIR / OF CLIFTON] / on his return from the War / IN SOUTH AFRICA / BY THE / WEST WARD / RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL / July 3rd 1901".
Troopers Cheesman and McGuire also received gold watches from the inhabitants of Shap, which were inscribed: "PRESENTED / TO / [TROOPER THOS. McGUIRE] / Westmorland / and Cumberland Coy. (Imp. Yeo.) / BY SHAP FRIENDS / for heroic services rendered in / the South African / War. / 1900-1901".
The remainder (apart from Trooper Mattinson) received silver watches from Penrith, which were inscrbed: "PRESENTED BY THE INHABITANTS OF PENRITH & DISTRICT TO [SERGT. G. HUTCHINSON] OF THE 24TH COMPANY I.Y. In commemoration of his Services IN SOUTH AFRICA 1900-01".
Trooper A.R. Muir example in the Constantine Collection.
DINNERS AND PRESENTATIONS.
Tomorrow Captain PARKIN and the men of the 24th Company Imperial Yeomanry belonging to the West Ward of Westmorland will be entertained to dinner at the Lowther Castle Hotel, Hackthorpe, by the West Ward Guardians and District Councillors. Captain Parkin will be presented with a large solid silver rose bowl, beautifully chased and standing on ebony plinths. It bears the inscription: “Presented to Captain William Hugh Parkin, of Ravencragg, by the Guardians and District Councillors of the West Ward Union, Westmorland, on his return from the war in South Africa, for his loyal services in command of the 24th Company Westmorland and Cumberland Imperial Yeomanry, and for his devotion to duty for his King and country. July 3rd, 1901”. At the same time 14 men of the 24th Company will be presented with handsome silver medals, bearing suitable inscriptions. The bowl and medals are being supplied by Mr Wilson, silversmith and jeweller, Penrith, and are of the finest quality and workmanship.
THE WESTMORLAND YEOMANRY.
PRESENTATIONS TO CAPTAIN PARKIN AND HIS MEN.
At Hackthorpe on Wednesday the members of the West Ward Rural District Council entertained Captain PARKIN and fourteen of the members of the 24th Company of the Imperial Yeomanry who belonged to the West Ward, at luncheon at the Lowther Castle Hotel.
……. The Chairman, on behalf of the Council, then presented to Captain Parkin a large silver rose bowl on ebony plinth. The inscription ran: “Presented to Captain William Hugh Parkin, of Ravencragg, by the Guardians and District Councillors of the West Ward Union, Westmorland, on his return from the war in South Africa, for his loyal services in command of the 24th Company (Westmorland and Cumberland) Imperial Yeomanry and for his devotion to duty for his King and country. July 3rd, 1901”.
A GREAT DAY WITH THE WEST WARD GUARDIANS.
Banquet and Presentation to Captain PARKIN.
Silver Medals for West Ward Yeomen.
Wednesday will long live in the memories of the West Ward District Councillors as the most memorable day in the history of that authority. The West Ward District Council stands out unique amongst local bodies for the spirit of camaraderie which prevails amongst its members, and it was no surprise to know that the Council had decided to entertain Captain PARKIN and his gallant yeomen from the West Ward to a banquet. Captain PARKIN, like his worthy father, Major Parkin, has been a member of the Council for some considerable time and on his return from South Africa, the Council and Officials, headed by Mr Geldart, the chairman, decided to give him a warm Westmorland welcome home. Subscriptions poured in spontaneously from the members with the result that on Wednesday a banquet fit “to set before a King” was laid at the Lowther Castle Hotel, Hackthorpe, and Captain PARKIN and a number of his men resident in the West Ward of Westmorland were not only entertained right royally, but the occasion was taken advantage of to present Captain PARKIN with a solid silver rose bowl and an album, and his men were each presented with handsome silver medals. The rose bowl was beautifully chased and stood on a plinth of ebony. It bore the following inscription: –
“Presented to Captain William Hugh Parkin, of Ravencragg, by the Guardians and District Councillors of the West Ward Union, Westmorland, on his return from the war in South Africa, for his loyal services in command of the 24th Company Westmorland and Cumberland Imperial Yeomanry, and for his devotion to duty for his King and country. July 3rd, 1901”.
The album contained the signatures of the members of the District Council, and bore on its title page the following address beautifully illuminated: –
“Presented to Captain William Hugh Parkin, of Ravencragg, by the Guardians and District Councillors of the West Ward Union of Westmorland as a mark of their esteem for him as a private gentleman, and also for his uniform courtesy in the discharge of his duties as a fellow member of the West Ward Board, as well as his just and impartial action in all matters of business connected therewith. July 3rd, 1901”.
The silver medals to the men bore on one side the inscription: – “Westmorland and Cumberland 24th Company I.Y.”, and on the other “Presented to Trooper (with name and residence added) on his return from South Africa by the West Ward Rural District Council. July 3rd, 1901”.
The bowl and medals were supplied by Mr Geo. Wilson, jeweller, Penrith.
The banquet was a very grand affair, and reflected the highest possible credit on Miss Bland, the gentle hostess of the Lowther Castle Hotel. The guests were served with everything that the most fastidious epicure could desire, and the waiters and waitresses discharged their duties with taste and dispatch. The room was decorated with flags of all kinds, and the table decoration consisted of old-fashioned silver epergnes containing lovely masses of rose bloom.
Mr Geldart, the chairman of the Council, presided, and he was supported by Major Parkin in the vice-chair; with Captain PARKIN on his right, the contingent of Yeomanry, and a full attendance of District Councillors, officials of the West Ward, and several overseers. The men who received medals, the majority of whom were present, were Sergeant HUTCHINSON, Corporal MUIR, and Troopers A. MUIR, W. MATTIN[SON], CHEESMAN, R. NICHOLSON, T.H. CLEMENTS, R. BURNS, R. KITCHEN, T. SIDDLE, F. HALL, HODGSON, T. LITTLEFAIR, and McGUIRE.
After ample justice had been done to the excellent spread the cloth was cleared, and a lengthy toast list submitted.
……. The Chairman rose to propose the toast of the day. He said he must express his very great pleasure in having Captain PARKIN once more amongst them. He trusted he would long be spared to retain his membership of their Board, and he felt confident that whenever he appeared amongst them he would always be sure of a most hearty reception. (Cheers). He must congratulate Captain PARKIN – and not only him but his worthy father – on his return. (Cheers). They were equally proud to see so many of his gallant yeomen present. (Cheers). Never in the history of the West Ward had they had such a military display as on the present occasion. It would be needless for him to recapitulate all the company had done in South Africa. They were all aware of the hardships they had had to endure and the labours they had had to perform, but there was one thing which stood out bright and clear, and that was the uniform loyalty and devotion of the men Captain PARKIN had commanded. (Cheers). Their conduct had been most exemplary. He rejoiced that they were present to share in the entertainment they had given to their honoured guest, Captain PARKIN. (Cheers). When the Yeomanry responded to the call to arms, the nation was in extreme peril; the Government had misconceived the strength of the enemy they had to encounter, and how that enemy had for years been equipping themselves with the weapons of the most modern construction. The Boers had proved themselves a wily, sagacious, and mobile force, and they had given their men a great deal of trouble to keep on their track. At the same time when the call came for volunteers, they were meeting reverse after reverse; the clouds were dark, and he could not express how gratified they all were when they knew they had such gallant men as Captain PARKIN and his company to come forward. They had responded nobly to the call and done their duty, and he rejoiced they were with them that day. He trusted that if England required the services of her sons again, there would be the same loyal response. He trusted Captain PARKIN would have long life and prosperity. He hoped they would drink the health of their guest with that enthusiasm which the toast so justly deserved. (Cheers).
The toast was accorded musical honours.
……. The next business was the presentation of the rose bowl and album to the gallant Captain, and in making the presentation, the Chairman said it was not to be regarded in any sense as a reward for his services, but as a pure expression of good feeling from the members and officials of the West Ward District Council and Board of Guardians. He hoped that whatever might be his fortune in life, it would always remind him of the good feelings entertained for him by that Board. He wished him long life to enjoy the gifts, and shared with him his desire that he might be allowed to again take up his duties amongst them. (Cheers).
Captain PARKIN, in reply, said he thanked them most heartily for their handsome testimonial. He should prize it more than he could express in words, and it would always remind him of the many good friends he had on the West Ward. It was difficult for him to tell them how deeply grateful he was to them and how he appreciated their kindness. He could only say, “Thank you, gentlemen, and again thank you”.
Major Parkin then presented the men of the West Ward belonging to the 24th Company with silver medals. He said those medals were only slight mementoes of the services the men had rendered their King and country in South Africa, and of the pleasure felt at their safe return.
