Dundee Involvement in the South African War (1899-1902)

Dundee Town Council Minutes 1901

With reference to the time of the South African War.

Dundee Town Council Minutes Feb - Aug 1901

Meeting Magistrates, 12th February 1901.

Article I.

VOLUNTEERS FOR SOUTH AFRICA

The Lord Provost submitted a Letter, dated 9th February current, from Colonel Smith as to further drafts of men from the Dundee Volunteers to South Africa, and suggesting that the same honour should be conferred on them as on the first draft.

The Clerk was instructed to obtain information from London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen, and, on receipt of such information, to call the Magistrates together.

Pages 345

At a Meeting of the Town Council of Dundee, as defined in the Dundee Corporation Act, 1894, held within the Town Hall of Dundee on Monday the 18th February 1901, at Two o’clock afternoon,-

Present-

The Lord Provost in the Chair.

VOLUNTEERS FOR SOUTH AFRICA-PRESENTATION OF FREEDOM OF CITY.

The following Minute was submitted:-

At a Meeting of the Magistrates of Dundee, held on the 15th February 1901,-

 Present-

The Lord Provost in the Chair.

VOLUNTEERS FOR SOUTH AFRICA

Under reference to Article I. of the Minute of Meeting of the Magistrates, of date 12th instant instructing the Clerk to communicate with Glasgow, Edinburgh, London and Aberdeen, and enquire whether the Freedom of these Towns was to be presented to further Drafts of Volunteers proceeding to South Africa, the Clerk submitted the replies which he had received in answer to his Letters.

After full consideration, the Meeting considering that detachments from the undernoted Corps of Dundee Volunteers have volunteered for active service in the South African War, recommend the Council to confer on each of them the Freedom of the Burgh and City of Dundee, of the 1st Class, in recognition of their Patriotism:-

(Attachment of 1st Black Watch)

(Attachment of 3rd Black Watch)

Non-Commissioned Officers and Men of the 3rd (Dundee Highland) Volunteer Battalion “The Black Watch” (Royal Highlands), serving with the Royal Army Medical Corps in South Africa:-

(Attachment of 3rd Black Watch in Royal Medical Corps)

The Meeting remitted to the Lord Provost, Bailies Urquhart and Crichton, to confer with the Volunteer Officers as to where and when the Presentation should take place.

WILLIAM HUNTER, Chairman.

On the motion of Lord Provost Hunter, seconded by Bailie Urquhart, the Council approved of said Minute, and did, and hereby do confer the Freedom of the City and Royal Burgh of Dundee, of the First Class, on the above named persons, in recognition of their Patriotism in volunteering for Active Service in the South African War, and remitted to the Magistrates accordingly, with full powers.
WILLIAM HUNTER, Chairman.

Pages 360

Meeting Magistrates, 19th February 1901.

Article I.

VOLUNTEERS FOR SOUTH AFRICA.

The Minute of the Council, of 18th February current, conferring the Freedom of the City and Royal Burgh of Dundee, of the First Class on Detachments of Volunteers from the 1st and the 3rd V.B.R.H., in recognition of their Patriotism in volunteering for Active Service in the South African War, and remitting to the Magistrates, with full powers, was held as read.

The Meeting arranged that the Ceremony should take place on Wednesday, 27th February current, at 8 p.m., within the Drill Hall.

The Meeting remitted to Bailies Urquhart and Crichton, with Colonel Smith, Major Hill, and the Chief Constable, to arrange regarding Platform accommodation and the seating of the Hall.

The Clerk was also instructed as to Platform and other Tickets.

Pages 406

At a Meeting of the Town Council of Dundee, held within the Drill Hall, Dundee on Wednesday, the 27th day of February 1901, at Eight o’clock evening,-

Present-

Lord Provost HUNTER in the Chair.

VOLUNTEERS FOR SOUTH AFRICA-PRESENTATION OF FREEDOM OF CITY.

In pursuance of the Resolution of the Council, as contained in their Minute of 18th February current, the Lord Provost presented the Volunteers named and designed in said Minute each with a Burgess Ticket.  Simultaneously Mrs Hunter (who was present) presented each Volunteer with a Silver Medal.

WILLIAM HUNTER, Chairman.

On the motion of Bailie Urquhart, a hearty vote of thanks was awarded to Lord Provost Hunter and Mrs Hunter for their attention and kindness.

THOS. THORNTON, Clerk.

Pages 692

At a Meeting of the Magistrates of Dundee, held on the 13th May 1901,-

Present-

Present also-

Colonel SMITH.
Colonel HILL.
Colonel THOMSON.
Mr D. DEWAR, Chief Constable.

The Lord Provost in the Chair.

The Minute of Meeting of the Magistrates, of date 24th April last, was held as read.

RETURN OF VOLUNTEERS FROM SOUTH AFRICA.

The Lord Provost explained that a detachment of Volunteers from the 1st and 3rd V.B.R.H., who had gone to South Africa on active service, were expected to return to Dundee this week.

After discussion, the Meeting resolved that the town Council should meet the Volunteers on their arrival at the Magdalen Green Station, and drive thence to the Drill Hall, by way of Magdalen Green, Esplanade, Union Street, Nethergate, Reform Street, Euclid Crescent, and Bell Street, marshalled by the Chief Constable, in the following order, viz. :-

1. Band of 1st Forfarshire Volunteer Artillery.
2. Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Town Council of Dundee.
3. Band of 1st V.B.R.H.
4. Returned Volunteers from South Africa.
5. Pipe Band of 3rd V.B.R.H.
6. Volunteer Officers.
7. Band of 3rd V.B.R.H.

On the arrival of the Procession at the Drill Hall, the Lord Provost will address a few words of welcome to the returned Volunteers, and Colonels Smith and Hill will also speak, after which the Processionists will disperse.

The Meeting also resolved that a Reception be given in the Victoria Art Galleries, on Monday, 20th inst., on the occasion of the Volunteers’ return, and instructed the Lord Provost to arrange for having a Buffet Tea, and remitted to Bailies Urquhart and Melville, and Colonels Smith, Hill and Thomson to arrange a Musical Programme.

WILLIAM HUNTER, Chairman.

Pages 1059

Meeting Water and Gas Committee, 20th August 1901.

Article XXII.

WORKMAN SERVING  IN SOUTH AFRICAN WAR.

The Clerk read the following Letters:-

'Gas Engineer’s Office, Dundee, 19th August 1901.

Messrs The Water and Gas Committee,
Dundee Town Council

Gentlemen,-I beg to report that one of your workman who is serving with the Army in South Africa, has written to me that, as he is now on civilian pay, and therefore able to send money home for the upkeep of his wife and family, he declines to accept further of the allowance which has been given to his wife and family since he left, and such allowance will therefore be stopped at the end of this month.
I annex Copy of Letter referred to.-Faithfully yours,

WILLIAM M‘CRAE.”

COPY LETTER REFERRED TO.

“Johannesburgh, 12/7/01.
W. M‘Crae, Esq.

Dear Sir,- I take this opportunity to inform you that I have been finally transferred to the Railway Department until the end of the War.
I am now on civilian pay.  I will therefore be in a position to maintain my wife and family.  I cannot longer ask you for assistance.
I have here to express my sincere thanks to yourself and also to the Council for the very generous treatment I have received from you through my wife and family at a time when I was not in a position to look after their welfare.
I hope the time is not far distant when I will be able to return to my native town.  I may then be in a position to, in a small way, repay your kindness.-I remain, Your ever grateful and obedient Servant,

J. DEMPSEY,
Loco. Department, I.M. Railway, Johannesburgh, South Africa.

The Committee expressed their gratification.

>1902 Minutes

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Iain D. McIntosh, Friends of Dundee City Archives.