Friday 12 May 1848
HER MAJESTY'S 96th REGIMENT.
Presentation of Medal to
Serjeant-Major William Norris.
On Monday, the 8th instant, the Regiment was formed in the Barrack-square, in Review order, to witness the presentation of a Medal to Serjeant-Major William Norris, for meritorious conduct since he has been in Her Majesty�s Service.
Lieutenant - Colonel Cumberland, having formed the Regiment into three sides of it square, directed the Field Officers to take post on his right and left, facing the colours, upon which he called Serjeant-Major Norris to the front. The Serjeant-Major, supported between the colours by the two senior Colour-Serjeants, advanced to the centre of the square, when the Commanding Officer spoke us follows :
" Serjeant-Major William Norris,-I am deputed by His Grace the Commander-in Chief, Field Marshal the Duke of Wellington, to present to you, on the public parade, this
Medal for meritorious services.
" Of the nature of those services, I can well testify. At Bermuda-at Halifax, Nova Scotia -at St. John's, Newfoundland-at Glasgow in Scotland-at Enniskillen and Dublin, in Ire- land-at Gosport, Bolton, Manchester, and Chatham, in England-on the voyage to these Colonies, and subsequent service for the lust six years as Serjeant-Major, your conduct and services have invariably been such as to call for his highest terms of approbation.
" I have the greatest pleasure to present to you this Medal, and am sure it will be to you, Serjeant-Major Norris, a subject of the greatest satisfaction as long as you live, to wear on your breast such a mark of Her Majesty's approval : it is an honour to myself, to the Officers, and to the whole Regiment, to receive such a proof of Her Majesty's esteem in the person of the Serjeant-Major of the corps."
The warrant for the presentation, signed by the Right Honorable the Military Secretary, Lieutenant-General Lord Fitzroy Somerset, G.C.B., was then read by the Adjutant, at the conclusion of which the Lieutenant-Colonel, turning to Major Oheape, requested him to do him the honor to assist him in presenting the Medal which he held in his hand, saying he was sure he would be proud to do so to his old Pay-Serjeant, Serjeant-Major William Norris.
Major Cheape, in reply, requested permission to say a few words to the corps, and stepping to the front, said :
" He was proud of having the opportunity of bearing testimony to the merits and worth of the Serjeant-Major. He had been his Pay Serjeant for a number of years; he always placed the utmost confidence in him; and that at all times the Serjeant-Major performed his
duties to his entire satisfaction."
Lieutenant-Colonel Cumberland and Major Cheape then advanced to the Serjeant-Major, the Band playing the Regimental March, and fixed the Medal on his left breast, wishing him many happy years to wear it. The Colonel and Major then returned to their original places, when the Serjeant-Major stepped to the front, and returned thanks in the following terms :
" Sir, I return my most sincere thanks for my Sovereign's most gracious bounty, and trust that I may ever retain it with honour. I also return my most sincere thanks for your kind- ness, and the kindness of Major Cheape, for your high opinion of my past services, and shall ever remember it with gratitude."
The Regiment then saluted its colours, formed column of march, and proceeded to the Government Domain for Field Exercise.
In the evening after the interesting ceremonies of the day, the Non-Commissioned Officers of the Regiment met the Serjeant-Major in the Mess room, to congratulate him on the honour which had that day been conferred upon him.
After the health of Her Majesty the Queen, Prince Albert, the Royal Family, the Commander-in-Chief, Lieutenant-Colonel Cumberland and the Officers of the Regiment, and other loyal and appropriate toasts had been drank, the health of the Serjeant-Major followed. All these were responded to with the most hearty enthusiasm. The Serjeant-Major returned thanks in appropriate terms, and under feelings of emotion, to the Non-Commissioned Officers who had shown their appreciation of the honour which had that day been paid to him by his superiors in accordance with directions from Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria.
In addition to the presentation of the Silver Medal, Her Majesty has been graciously pleased to grant Serjeant-Major Non is an annuity of �20, commencing from the 1st April 1847, as a reward for his meritorious services.
Timberman
