IPSWICH HEROES HONOURED.
STIRRING SCENES AT PUBLIC HALL.
59 NEW FREEMEN.
THE EVENING STAR AND DAILY HERALD
21st April 1920
To most of us, if not all, the Great War is either a sweet memory or a sweet sorrow, and perhaps both. A sweet memory because we can look back upon duty well done and untold dangers passed-sweet sorrow because dear ones have given up their lives in noble self-sacrifice.
It was the wish of to express this double sentiment that prompted the Ipswich Town Council representing one and all in the borough, to honour those fellow townsmen who earned decorations on sea and field and also three leading citizens whose record of faithful service to the town typified the steadfastness of purpose and willing help characteristic of the nation during the war.
The honour was that of honorary freedom of the borough not much tangibly is it true-but one reserved for the few who have made a mark in history; and has it not been said that a man is known by the company he keeps?
Seeing that the recipients numbered in all sixty, the Council Chamber was deemed inadequate for the ceremony of the presentation to-day (Wednesday), and the larger Public Hall was utilised, which furnished ample accommodation not only for the hall, men and their families, but their “sisters, cousins and aunts,” to say nothing of a deeply interested public.
The hall was bedecked with flags and the platform adorned with beautiful flowering pot plants. The recipients of the freedom were seated in rows on either side of the chairman and most of them were in khaki, but here and there was a bluejacket and there were three Ipswich policemen in another uniform of blue.
The body of the hall was fairly full, among them being several wearers of medals of previous wars.
As the Mayor (Ald. F.E Rands) and Corporation accompanied by Capt. F. J. C. , M.P. arrived in state from the Town Hall, the borough organist (Mr J. Job) played the National Anthem and all stood at attention. Among the audience were the Mayoress and Lady Goddard.
FAMOUS IPSWICH FREEMEN
The Mayor remarked that so much interest had already been shown in their proceedings of that day and they had been able to read some little about it in the East Anglian Daily Times that it would hardly be necessary for him to take up their time by saying much would bear with him for a little while, he would like to make a few remarks. First, they might remind themselves that the Honorary Freedom of Borough Act was only passed as recently as 1885, for the purpose of enabling municipalities to confer the honorary freedom on persons of “distinction” and person who had rendered eminent service to the borough. ”we in Ipswich have certainly not been lavish in conferring this honour” commented the Mayor, who, continuing, remarked that the first time it was exercised after the passing of the Act he did not suggest it was the first time it was conferred on any person of distinction, because he believed the Duke of Wellington was one of their honorary freemen (applause) but the first exercising after the Act was in 1901, when the freedom was conferred on six members of the Headquarters Company of the 1st V.B. Suffolk Regiment resident in Ipswich, who volunteered for active service in the South African War. (Applause) He feared there were very few of those men who were honoured at that time alive today, but he believed two or three were present on that occasion (Applause)
The next occasion was in 1902, when it was conferred on that great soldier, their late High Steward, Field-Marshal Earl Kitchener. (Applause.) Last year they honoured a great soldier and a great sailor, who had rendered magnificent service for the country and Empire in the recent war Admiral Sir Reginald Tyrwhitt and Viscount Allenby. (Applause)
That day they were admitting to the freedom four officers and 52 men, all Ipswich men (Applause) who had had distinguished themselves in the Great War, and rendered eminent service to the Empire (Applause), and three gentlemen who had rendered long and eminent service to the ancient borough. (Applause) He ventured to think it a happy coincidence that they were able to confer the distinction on members of the Navy and the Army and also at the same time on two civic fathers and the Town Clerk. (Applause) Few people had any conception of the immense amount of time devoted to administration of local affairs. The work of municipalities had grown considerably and was rapidly increasing. He did not wish, nor would there be the time, to give full particulars of the services rendered to the borough, but he would endeavour to mention some matters of outstanding public interest that occurred to him.
THE WAR HEROES
THE MAYORS APPEAL FOR TERRITORIAL RECRUITS.
The Mayor then turned to the officers and men on the platform. The rewards they had gained had not been easily won, and if he was correctly informed the Territorial officers had not received all the consideration they deserved during the war. They realised the deep debt of gratitude which they owed to these patriotic men of the Territorial forces. (Applause.) He thought they could congratulate themselves upon so many Ipswich men having been recipients of decorations (Applause.) and they would never forget what they owed to them and their comrades. In conclusion his Worship appealed for support for the housing bonds and recruits for the Territorial units.
As each recipient`s names was called the Mayor recited the circumstances which led to him obtaining his decoration, and so many would easily fill a book of stirring episode. As each man stepped forward he was heartily cheered and the occasion will long be remembered. Many children were present to witness the honour paid to their fathers.
V.C
Sgt.A.Saunders, Suff.
D.S.O
Major F.A.W.Cobbold,R.G.A.; Col.J.Josselyn, Suff.; Lieut.Col. M.Mason, Suff.; Major Mellonie R.G.A.
M.C.
C.S.M. Sydney Green, Suff.
D.C.M. and D.S.M.
C.S.M. Alfred Abbott, Beds; Lance Sergt. Henry A.T.Alexander, K.O. Regt.; C.S.M. Spencer C. Balaam, M.G.C.; Sgt. Wm G, Beaden, Suff.; Sgt. Ernest J. Bird. Suff.; Sgt. Henry Bragg, Suff.; S.Sgt. James W. Breame, R.A.M.C.; Pte. Bertie H. Brill. Suff.; Engineman Daniel A. Brown, R.N.R.; Bandsman Bertie Chittenden, R.Dub.; Fus.C.P.O Ernest W.J.Claydon, R.N.; Sgt. Arthur Coleman, R.West kent. Regt.; Sgt. Richard Coote, Notts and Derby Regt.; C.S.M. Fred. K. Croome Glostr.
Regt.; C.S.M. HerberT L, Darby, London Regt.;P.O. Percy E. Gaymer, R.N.; C.S.M. Albert C. Hanks, R.F.A.; R.S.M. John T. Hood, R.H. and R.F.A.; C.Q.M.S. John A.Howard, F. Surrey Regt.; Corpl. Edward W. Hubbard, Suff.; Pte Alfred E. Hughes, 4th Worctr. Regt.; B.S.M Walter B. Jacklin. F.Bat R.H.A.; Sgt. Percival J. Jarrold, Suff.; Pte. Charles Jasper, Worcstr. Regt.; Sgt. Amos Johnson, R.F.A.; Dvr. Thomas B. Joslin, R.H and R.F.A.; Sgt. Ralph F. Mee, Worestr. Regt.; A.B. Harold B. Millen, R.N.; Clp. Ernest W. Moss, R.Sussex Regt.; Sgt. Mjr. James S. Newman, Suff.; Gnr. Ivan E.Phillips, M.G.C.; C.S.M. Frank Potter, Suff.; C.S.M. George Richardson. M.G.C.; Pte. Arthur W.Ramsey, R.M.L.I. H.M.S Juno.; A.B.S.M Fredk. J. Rice R.G.A.;
C.P.O. Mech. Harry J. Richer, R.N.A.S.; C.S.M. Alexander Ross, Essex Regt.; B.S.M Stanley C. Routh. Canadian F.A.; Benjamin Smith. H.M.S Conquest, R.N.; Cpl. Harry Smith. R.H and R.F.A.;Pte.Edward J. Stroulger, Linc. Regt.; Sgt. Fredk.J. Tanner, Man. Regt.; Sgt. Charles H. Thompson, R.E.; A.B. Joseph J. Thompson, R.N.; Cpl. Leonard H. Tomlin, R.M.A; Sgt. Herbert C. Wale. Suff.; C.0.M.S. William J. Walker, R.A.S.C.; Sgt. Philip H.Ward. 3rd Bn. A.I.F.;
C.Q.M.S Charles E.White 1st Coldstrm. Gds.; Ldg. Smn Peter R. Youngs R.N.
The proceedings closed with the singing of the National Anthem, and the procession, with the new freemen behind the Mayor, reformed and proceeded via Westgate Street to the Town Hall steps, where a group photograph was taken.
The Mayor afterwards entertained the party to lunch.