Papurau Newydd Cymru

Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru

Cuddio Rhestr Erthyglau

17 erthygl ar y dudalen hon

THE WAR.

SATURDAY'S FIGHTING. -

STEADY BRITISH SUCCESSES.

NEWS FROM BULLER.

THE BOERS REPORTED IN ! FINANCIAL…

THE VOLUNTEERS.

Newyddion
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Rhannu

THE VOLUNTEERS. SED-OFF SUPPER TO THE SERVICE SECTION. AN APPEAL BY COL. PRYCE-JONES, M.P. On Monday evening in the Public Hall, New- town the members of A Company met to bid farewell to Lieut Kirkby of Towyn, and the 23 men who have volunteered, and been accepted, for the front. The chair was taken by Col E Pryce-Jones, M.P., who was supported by Lieut Kirkby, Capt and Adjt Walker, Capt W E Pryce-Jones, Capt A W Pryce-Jones, Capt Feruie, of the 2nd K.S.L.I. and Imperial Yeomanry (Montgomeryshire contin- gent), Surgeon-Lieut Ray wood, Second-Lieut Woos- nani, Rev G Roberts (chaplain), Sergt-Major Gibson, Quarter-Master Richards, Quarter-Master Sergt Morgan, and many others. The men forming the service section were placed together in a pro- minent position at the head of the centre table. Their names are A Company, Ptes Alfred Rees, W Perry, W T Lowe, R Morris, and W E Griffiths. B Companv, Ptes J E Jones, G Latham, and T Garnett. "C" Company, Ptes C Pryce, Edwin Williams, and Pryce Baiues. D" Company, Ptes A W Harris and H Arthur. E" Company, Sergt T J Astley, Ptes D Jones, G H Bunuer, and E James. F Company, Corpl E L Jones, Ptes R Richards, W Jones, J Alori-is, anci Bugler Clayton. The Battallion Band, conducted by Lance-Sergt. Reynolds, was also in attendance and during the evening rendered patriotic selections. On the conclusion of the capital repast provided by Mr Beale, of the Lion Hotel, the Chairman proposed the customary loyal toasts, and in doing so alluded to the tender sympathy shown by Her Majesty with her forces in South Africa. Colonel Pryce-Jones, rising, said he had a big task before him and that was to propose the health of those of their gallant regiment who were going to the front to risk their lives in fighting the battles of their Queen and country (applause). This was the first opportunity he had had of meeting so many of the officers, non-commissioned officers and men of their infantry battalion. He might go still further than calling them an infantry battalion and say that they were only infants for they had only been established three years. He should luce to "give a short, account to the people of Mont- gomeryshire and Merionethshire of the difficulties they had had to contend with in forming the section for active service. They had been called upon to find 19 men, one sergeant, a corporal, and a bugler. The ordinary civilian might call this a very small order, but it was far from being so, for only those who cculd comply with the necessary conditions, which the Colonel proceeded to enumerate, were eligible. They had also to consider the fact that during the first year of their existence as a corps a great many who had joined their ranks had left, doubtless dissapointed at not being speedily pro- moted. At first it had been his duty as Command- ing Officer of the forces to take a very HIGH AND MIGHTY view of these resignations, but upon sebsequent reflection, he had accepted them without a murmur or the siightest fear as to the future of the Bat. t-,i,lioii (al)p!,),iise). He had taken that course be- cause he wanted to show that the discipline of the corps must be the first consideration. However he had 4aid enough about the deserters, and now he wished to empbnsise the fact that,las the majority of those who formed the section were Montgomeryshire men, it was only natural and fitting that the officer selected to command should be a Merionethshire man (cheers). He might say without flattery that Lieut Kirkby deserved the distinction which had been conferred upon him by Colonel Browne, V.C., their regimental district commanding officer. So anxious was the Lieutenant to get to the front that he even enlisted as a trooper in the Imperii! Yeomanry fearing that his chance being selected to accompany the Volunteer section would be but small (applause). Lieut Kirkby's qualifications were of the very highest order, and he had no hesi tation in sayiug that the section for the front would be r-.ateriall y strengthened by his presence as an officer (applause). Reverting to the history of the Battalion the gallant Colonel said their sanction as such was only sanctioned by Parliament iu April, 1897, the DIAMOND JUBILEE YEAR, and within four months of that date they were actually in camp and under canvas. Many of those present would recollect with mixed feelings those first two nights in camp (laughter), and he trusted that those going out would never have a similar experience. Who would have thought that within three years of their establishment they would have been asked to send 'some of their numbers out to South Africa to wage war against Her Majesty's enemies ? That was the question, and it was a matter which he wanted their friends in the county to consider in their quiet moments. He did not intend to make much of what they were doing in the matter of equipment for the service section, as that would speak for itself on Thursday. This much, however, he would say He did not think there was any body of men who would go to the front better equipped and better supplied with the necessary luxuries than the "section proceding from that Battalion (cheers). What he saw before him that evening was indeed A PICTURESQUE SIGHT, and he felt proud to think that every one of them, from the commanding officer dowu to the yonagesfc private, had contributed its quota to bring about that gratifying result. It had not been done without incurring very serious and very heavy liabilities. So serious and so heavy were they that lie was almost afraici to mention what they were. Those liabilities he was solely and personally responsible for. He had issued an appeal to the public, in his official capacity as commanding officer, with the object, of raising sufficient funds for adequately equipping, and in a manner equal to any other service section, the men they were sending to the front (applause). The appeal had gone forth, and he had great expectations of it (more applause). In order to put that corps on something like a pro- per footing, and on a foundation similar to that of other corps, they required a very large sum of mon- ey, and he had taken on himself the responsibility of trying to bring about the result (applause). It I might be said by those outside that they did not know there were any liabilities in connection with a corps of volunteers, and that they did not intend helping the Battalion. To those who thought thus he wished to say that they could, if they wished, pay oil those liabilities without any difficulty; if they could do it at the expense of THE EFFICIENCY OF THE BATTALION, and by starving it out of existence. His object as commanding officer, however, was that the corps should continue its work in the future, and so live on from year to year, and from generation to generation with increasing success (cheers). Hence his appeal, which, he was glad to say, was being responded to with remarkable generosity by many friends, and if those in the county of Montgomery, who prided themselves on their patriotism, and who possessed both wealth and position, would only come forward and recognise what the Volunteers were doing, the debt on the I Battalion would be more than paid off, while their position would be such that they would not be very far behind the majority of Volunteer corps in this country (cheers). He wished to express on behalf of the Battalion their endebtness to the local Press for the generous way in which they had supported the Volunteer movement. The papers had backed them up from the beginning, and had strenuously advocated the necessity of fitting out the section in a proper manner. He felt confident that the sup- port which the Press had extended to them would b, ever merited by the Volunteers. Concluding with an address to the members of the service section, Colonel Pryce-Jones, in impressive tones, said :— You are about to join hands with the regiment which represents the illustrious 24th (cheers). I ask you to follow them wherever they go and whenever they go, for I feel confident they will lead you to glory and to fame (hear, hear). You may have sacrifices to make, and hardships to endure you cannot expect to have a bed of roses; you will enjoy the trip across the sea, and your visit to the great continent of South Africa will be a change for you. In fact, it, will be a period of adventure, and will, doubtless, prove A MEMORABLE EPISODE in your lives. You will have the eyes of the counties of Montgomery and Merioneth upon you the thoughts of the inhabitants of these two counties will follow you wherever you go, and your thoughts will be their thoughts, and their prayers will be for you. It may be that when you return, you will find that many who are here to-night will have been called away; it may happen that before the war is over some of you, too, will have fallen for Queen aud country. If such should be your fortune or misfortune, you may rest assured that your memory will be revered it will be revered in the records of our regiment, and in the recollection of your frieuds, aud of the counties you represent, while the sacrifices you make will be engraved amongst the brightest annals of the country as records of a memorable campaign. As your com- manding officer, I ask you to put your trust in God, to obey your leaders, whoever they may be, and always to do your duty, ever remembering that your own honour is at stake, as weil as the honour of your families, of your friends, your company, and Bi.ttalioti-aye, and the honour of the counties you represent, and of your fatherland, your Queen, and your country (cheers). The toast was drunk with unbounded enthusiasm, all joining hands and singing "Auld Lang Syrift," to the strains of the Battalion hand. Lieut Kirkby was well received on rising to reply. He said he could hardly find words to ex- press the mingled feelings of honour and pride he felt that night in responding on behalf of the sec- tion for active service in South Africa. He could assure Col Pryce-Jones and all present at that fare- well gathering that their section would compare favourably with the other sections shortly to assemble at Brecon. He could further assure them that the men of Montgomeryshire a;:d Merioneth- shire would uphold the glorious traditions of the noble 24th (applause). If they got a chauce they would do their best to give the lead to the regiment of which they would form part (applause). He could only thank them on behalf of the members of the corps, of which he had the honour to be in charge, for the nice way in which they had drunk their healths that evening (cheers). The Chairman then read out as follows, the names of those who have volunteered from "A" and "B" Companies for the reserve seerioii Lance-Corpl W Richards, Ptes R E Jones, E Mack- lin, R E Owen, T Davies, J L'homme, Lanoe-Cpl C Roberts, Cyc Pryce Owen, and Bandsman Clayton. The Colonel added that in addition four members of C Company had offered their services. The final selection would be made as soon as possible, and, after attestation, the men would proceed to Brecon for medical examination and final approval. They would then be transferred to the First Class Army Reserve of the Volunteer Service Company. Afterwards rhe prizes gained by the members of "A" Company in tho recent sectional firing com- petition, held under the auspices of the Field Practices Associat ion were distributed. The sections were placed as follows :-lst, Sergt H E Breeze, Commander, Cpl Clayton, Lance-Cpl W Perry, A Rees, and W Richard's, Ptes H E Barrett, and E Macklin; 2ud, Sergt C Locke, commander, Ptes A Townsend, G Bennett, D Smith, J Baxter, R Roberts, and E J Allen 3rd, Colour-Sergt A WhaMey, Cyclist G Phillips, Ptes F P Keay, W Gritliths, T Davies, J L'homme, and R E Jones; 4th, Sergt H E Breeze, commander, Lance-Sergt S Owen, Lance-Cpl E Jones, Cyclist J Gough, Ptes J Townsend, F Worrall, and G Cheeseman. Numerous awards for the best attendance at drill and for class firing were also jriven out. A full list appeared in the Volunteer Orders published in the COUNTY TIM;:S ot November 23rd. Certificates of proficiency were given to Sergts W G Cleatou and J C Locke, both of A Company. During the evening the proceedings were en- livened with songs and selections of music. Sergt T Astley contributed a couple of songs in his own inimitable fashion, and the other items included a cornet solo by Corpl J Morris, a mandoline solo by Trooper Maitland Taylor, Imperial Yeomanry, and a comic song by Mr C M Benbow.

PUBLIC DINNER AT MACHYNLLETH.

DEPARTURE OF THE LLANFAIR…

DEPARTURE OF WELSHPOOL AND…

PROPOSED VOLUNTEER CORPS FOR…

COUNTY MEETING AT SHREWSBURY.I

----+---CHIRBURY.

CHURCHSTOKE.

I MARKETS.

HUNTING- APPOINTMENTS.

THE TAXAT SIDE HARRIERS.

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