Medals and awards

Witney Volunteers

County: Oxfordshire
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 24/05/1901
Number issued: 2

 

Gold medals, bearing appropriate engravings, to:

Volunteer Active Service Company, Oxfordshire Light Infantry ["F" Company, 2nd V.B.O.L.I.] –
7251 Private John SCANES
7264 Private Leo WHITCHER
 
Presentation made by Captain Ravenor, at the Cross Keys Hotel.

 

Obverse: "2nd V.B. Oxf. Lt. Infantry, 1900. __________. 1901. South Africa".
Reverse: "Presented by Capt. Ravenor, the N.C.O.'s and men of the F (Witney) Coy. May, 1901".
 
 

One report states that these were shooting medals, won by Scanes & Whitcher before they left for South Africa. However, the inscription would suggest otherwise.

Scanes and Witcher also received silver watches from the inhabitants of Witney.

Supplied by Messrs Long & Sons.

 

 

Oxford Journal, 18/05/1901
Witney Gazette, 25/05/1901
Spokes Symonds, 2002
 
 
__________________________________
 
 
 
Oxford Journal, 18th May 1901
 
THE RETURNING VOLUNTEERS.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR THEIR RECEPTION AT WITNEY.

Although at the time our last Witney parcel was despatched on Thursday evening, the final arrangements had not been completed, they had advanced sufficiently to permit of the general indication of the nature of the reception which awaits Privates SCANES and WHITCHER on their return home from South Africa this (Friday) evening. The “F” Company propose sending a two-horse carriage to Oxford to bring out the two men on the conclusion of the reception at Oxford of the Volunteer Service Company of the Oxfordshire Light Infantry; and the conveyance containing Privates SCANES and WHITCHER is timed to arrive at Staple Hall at eight o’clock in the evening. They will be met here by members of the “F” Company, by whom they will be drawn through the town, and subsequently the 18-carat gold medals which have been subscribed for by the commanding officer (Capt. H.T. Ravenor), the non-commissioned officers and members of the Company, will be presented, and a smoking concert will be held in honour of the returning Volunteers at the Cross Keys Hotel. The medal bears on the obverse the following: “2nd V.B. Oxf. Lt. Infantry, 1900. (name). 1901. South Africa”; and on the reverse: “Presented by Capt. Ravenor, the N.C.O.’s and men of the F (Witney) Coy. May, 1901”.
 
 
Faringdon Advertiser, 25th May 1901
 
WITNEY

RECEPTION OF VOLUNTEERS. – Privates SCANES and WHITCHER, of the F Company 2nd V.B. Oxford Light Infantry, who have for the past 15 months been on active service in South Africa, met with an enthusiastic reception on their return to Witney on Friday evening in last week. Arriving at Newland at eight o’clock they were met by members of the Company and a band, and were drawn through the streets to the Market Place, where the Rector of Witney, supported by the Bailiffs, presented Privates SCANES and WHITCHER, on behalf of the inhabitants, with an English silver watch each, suitably inscribed. A smoking concert afterwards took place at the Cross Keys Hotel, and in the course of the evening Captain Ravenor, on behalf of the F Company, presented Privates SCANES and WHITCHER with gold medals bearing appropriate engravings. When the proceedings wound up, the returned Volunteers were shouldered to their respective homes.

 

Oxford Times, 25th May 1901
 

RECEPTION OF THE WITNEY MEN.

…… During the evening Captain Ravenor, addressing Corporals SCANES and WHITCHER, said he had now to perform the most pleasant duty that had ever fallen to him in his life, and that was to present on behalf of the Company two gold medals – (cheers). Although Corporals SCANES and WHITCHER had with others had a great reception at Oxford that day, and also a most enthusiastic reception at Witney that evening, he believed they would value this small present from the members of their own company. – Three hearty cheers and musical honours having been accorded Corporals SCANES and WHITCHER, the former, in acknowledgement, said they had had a much better reception tan they had ever anticipated. They hoped they had done their duty in South Africa, and upheld the honour of the “F” Company, and thanked the members for the very kind present which had been given to them – (applause).

 

 
Details
Parent Category: Tribute medals
Category: W
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