County: Cheshire
Issued on: Return
Dates of presentations: 26/06/1901, 04/04/1902, 24/06/1902
Number issued: c. 29 (+11 for Committee members, etc.)
26/06/1901 presentation
1778 Trooper Rowland STUBBS
7504 Private John TIMPERLEY
834 Orderly D. McKELVIE
Presentation made by Lord Dundonald, in the new Drill Hall, Winsford.
04/04/1902 presentation
Captain James A. TURNER
7402 Corporal John BECKETT (died, Middelberg, 05/02/1902 - medal presented to his father)
4628 Private Aaaron WALKER (died, Ladysmith, 23/12/1899 - medal presented to his father)
24/06/1902 presentation (all silver)
7502 Private Reuben SUCH
Presentation made by the Mayor (Mr J.E. Reiss), in the Drill Hall, Winsford.
KNOWN EXAMPLES HIGHLIGHTED IN GREEN
Troopers Baxter, Carrick, Cooke, Rigby & Stubbs definitely received both medals.
Trooper Rigby received a third medal from the INCORPORATED LAW SOCIETY.
A further 11 medals were presented to various War Relief Committee members, etc. SEE: WINSFORD - Relief of Wives & Families
Reverse: "PRESENTED / BY THE / TOWN OF WINSFORD / TO / John Timperley / IN RECOGNITION OF HIS / PATRIOTISM & VALOUR / IN SERVING IN THE / TRANSVAAL WAR / AS A / [PRIVATE] / IN THE / [V: CON: 2ND CHES: REGT:]".
Note alterations to raised lettering: "A" becomes "AN"; "IN" becomes "ON".
Reverse: "Presented / BY THE TOWN OF WINSFORD / AS A SOUVENIR / OF THE PATRIOTISM & VALOUR / of Corporal John Beckett / of the 4th Royal Warwick Militia Regiment, who / served in the Transvaal / & died at Middelsburg [sic] / FEB:5:1902".
Issued in fitted cases, with retailer's name: "Thomas Ottley, Birmingham".
Private Walker example illustrated in Hibbard.
WINSFORD.
A prompt response has been made by the men of the Winsford Company of the 3rd Cheshire Volunteer Battalion to the Government’s call for Volunteers and many hours had not elapsed after the publication of the notice before Sergeant-Instructor Robinson had the privilege of booking six names. Seven men have been in receipt of reserve pay since February last, and it is daily expected that these will be called up. Already the company is represented at the front by eleven of its members. This is not a bad record for a company of only 105 all ranks, and few, if any, can boast of such practical patriotism. The names of the Reserve Volunteers are: –
DEPARTURES FROM WINSFORD.
WINSFORD.
On the country’s call for volunteers, Winsford people were rightly proud to learn that they had amongst their number men of sufficient patriotism and courage to respond, and take their share in facing the almost insuperable difficulties which the forces of this country had to contend with in South Africa. Out of the number who eagerly sent in their names only seven were selected in the first instance, namely, Pvtes. JOHNSON, HULSE, ROBERTS, RIGBY, R. and S. BENNETT and HATTON. The others were placed on the reserve, and anxiously awaited their turn. …….
Winsford’s interest in the local men on the veldt has not been of a fleeting character. Led by such stalwart champions at the Mayor of Over (Mr J.E. Ross), and the Recorder of Over (Mr J.H. COOKE), those left behind had been encouraged in the remembrance of the brave lads, and the duty that devolved upon them of making provision for the dependents has been faithfully and conscientiously carried out. A deep and lasting interest has been taken in the local Tommys, who must have whispered many blessings towards the Winsford people on the receipt of comforts, regularly sent. With Mrs MARSHALL, as hon. secretary, the Ladies’ Committee has also done kind and benevolent acts for the local warriors, which have been heartily appreciated. Every care has been taken to alleviate as far as possible the many pains and sufferings attendant on a long campaign, and each Volunteer from Winsford, in letters home, has tendered his most heartfelt thanks for the kindness shown towards him. …….
……. The leading citizens were in the Town Hall anticipating a meeting respecting the transfer of the Gas Works to the local authority, but on receipt of the happy intelligence that the men were at the station, the meeting was promptly adjourned to Thursday night. The gentlemen then proceeded to the station, and there the brave warriors were surrounded by hundreds of admirers. Ultimately a procession was formed, the Volunteer Band leading the way. After this came the conveyance containing the khaki-clad heroes. Mr R. Oakes, the mace-bearer, preceded the councillors, and the rear was brought up by the E Company of the 3rd Volunteers, under Colour-Sergeant-Instructor Robinson. …….
New Road, High Street, and Dingle Lane having been traversed, the company entered the new Drill Hall, and it was particularly appropriate that it should have been used for the first time on such an occasion. The body of the hall was set apart for the general public, and hundreds gained admittance.
The gallery was reserved for the soldiers and their relatives and friends, and in a very short time all available space was occupied. The scene was one of animation, and everyone seemed delighted to be associated with the joyous event. The appearance of Mr J.P. Jackson, the vice-chairman of the Council, followed by Mr COOKE and the heroes in the gallery, was the signal for cheering, which was continued for some time. The honoured eight occupied the seats in the centre, within view of all.
Mr Jackson addressing the company said he had to sound a note of regret on behalf of the Chairman of the Urban Council, who was unable to be present with them that evening. He had gone to Algiers, to recruit his health, otherwise he would have been present as the chief citizen, to welcome home their brave representatives. In another capacity he would also have been glad to have been there, and that as father of one of those they welcomed home. (Hear, hear and applause). The following telegram handed in at London from Mr Reiss was read by Mr Jackson – “Congratulate the brave fellows on their return from South Africa. Regret much not being with you. They have done their duty more than most of us can boast of”. Continuing, Mr Jackson again assured the gallant band of their high appreciation of the noble services they had rendered in South Africa, and thought it very creditable that out of a small town such a large number should have volunteered. They had done their duty well, and it was a source of very great gratitude indeed to them that they had returned looking so well and none the worse apparently for all the hardships they had undergone. He submitted for their approval the following resolution: – “That the town of Winsford heartily congratulates Privates RIGBY, R. BENNETT, S. BENNETT, TIMPERLEY, PLANT, ROBERTS, HATTON, and HULSE, of the E Company of the 3rd Cheshire Volunteer Regiment, on their patriotism and valour in responding to the call of the country, and proceeding to South Africa to vindicate the claims, exigencies, and defence of the Empire, and desires to tender to them our hearty appreciation of their valuable services, and to assure them of our hearty welcome on their return to Winsford. We sincerely deplore the loss which has happened to one of the company, and we respectfully tender to his family our sincerest sympathy in the bereavement which they have sustained”.
The Volunteer Band then struck up “Let me like a Soldier fall”, followed by “The Vacant Chair”.
……. Mr COOKE, who was received with cheers, said it was with very great pleasure that he supported the resolution. It was a delight indeed to receive the men from Africa in that new building which was being used for the first time. They were delighted to know that they had come through all the hardships they had had to undergo, and were now safe back at their homes. They had always been considering about their welfare, wondering how they were going on, and whether they should come back safely. As the resolution stated, one, unfortunately, had not been able to come back. He had been left behind in South Africa. Those who had come back ought to be deeply thankful, and he was sure their parents were delighted to see them. Moreover, those present when the resolution was put to them, would show their testimony and thanks to the brave fellows in their midst. They would be further delighted to learn that the War Fund Committee had sent a donation to each parent with a view to the men being entertained. The same committee also hoped to have the pleasure of sending the men away for a week’s rest to the sea-side, so that they might enjoy themselves after their arduous labours in South Africa. (Loud applause).
Private RIGBY was the first to respond. He said: People of Winsford, I heartily thank you for the welcome you have given us today on our return home. (Applause).
Private R. BENNETT also spoke.
Private ROBERTS observed: I am pleased to come back and see the old faces in Winsford. I heartily thank the Ladies’ Committee and all the others for what they have done for us.
Private PLANT had very great pleasure in seeing Winsford people’s faces again. He hoped they would thank the Winsford Committee for all they had done for them, and particularly the Ladies’ Committee. (Laughter and applause).
MEDAL DISTRIBUTION.
At half-past ten Lord Dundonald re-entered the room, and was again heartily cheered. The distribution of medals, subscribed to by the town in recognition of the services of the Yeomen and Volunteers, then took place.
Mr Cooke occupied the chair, and explained that there were two classes of medals – silver and bronze ones. The silver ones were for the Yeomanry and Volunteers belonging to Winsford, and the others for those who had been associated with the town and had been connected with the 22nd Company Imperial Yeomanry. For instance, Dr FELTON, who resided in this district originally, went out as a trooper, and not only did his work as a trooper, but also as a surgeon, without any pay. They were recognising his services and a few others like Sergeant-Major BARRATT. Mr Cooke then called out the names of the recipients: –
Private (Ambulance) D. McKELVIE
As each man ascended the platform he was loudly cheered. In handing them the town’s gift, Lord Dundonald had a personal chat with each as to his South African experiences, and in the case of the parents of CARRICK and JOHNSON he offered consoling words, and warmly shook them by the hand.
Mr Cooke thought his lordship had distributed the medals to the satisfaction of everybody. (Hear, hear). Winsford had been exceptionally honoured in his visiting the town, and he was sure those present would give him three hearty cheers, and that would be some recompense and some recognition for the trouble he had taken.
The cheers were enthusiastically given, followed by the singing of “For he’s a jolly good fellow”.
On silence being restored, Lord Dundonald said it had been an intense pleasure to him to distribute the medals to those great men. It was a sort of medal he prized, and he envied them. It was a recognition of the town that their duty had been well done, and, moreover, was a gift they might hand down from generation to generation. (Loud applause). …….
DESCRIPTION OF THE MEDALS
A WINSFORD SOUTH AFRICAN HERO’S SUCCESS.
The Chairman then presented Captain TURNER with a silver medal, from the town, amid applause. On one side of the medal were troopers on horseback and round the border “Transvaal War in South Africa 1900-1901”, and on the other “Presented by the town of Winsford to Captain James A. Turner in recognition of his patriotism and valour in serving in the Transvaal War as an officer on the staff”.
Captain Turner expressed his thanks for the town’s recognition of his services, and briefly narrated one or two war incidents to the intense gratification of the large audience. He also expressed his sympathy with the parents of Corporal BECKETT and Private WALKER, and encouraged them to think that the men had died for a good cause.
Mr Reiss then presented silver medals to the following – Privates Thomas CARDEN, Charles HODGKINSON, Samuel BAKER, Joseph GREEN, and Reuben SUCH.
The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Relief Fund Committee were also desirous of recognising the valuable help and assistance given by the following ladies and gentlemen in the administration of the fund during the years from and including 1899 to 1902, and accordingly the following were the recipients: – Miss THRELFALL, Tilstone Lodge, near Tarporley, who by the aid of the county fund and with considerable trouble, had seen to the requirements of the wives and families of Yeomanry and Volunteers who required assistance in Over; Colonel KENNEDY, Brook Side, Sandbach, who had in the same way nobly assisted the wives and families of the Yeomanry and Volunteers in Wharton; Mr REISS, as chairman of the committee; Mr J.H. COOKE, as hon. secretary to the committee; Mrs MARSHALL, as hon. secretary to the Ladies’ Committee; Messrs W. KISSOCK for special services in despatching parcels to the front; W. SHAW for special services in payment of relief; J.G. DODD, J.B. SMALLWOOD, W.G. BATES, for assistance rendered to the committee; the WINSFORD VOLUNTEER BANDMASTER for assistance rendered.
