Madallion History
THE EDINBURGH AND LOTHIAN SOUTERS MEDALLION
1912
The Edinburgh Souters’ decided that the Royal Burgh Standard Bearer (RBSB) should have a permanent memento of his year in office, in the form of a solid gold medallion with the Selkirk seal on the face and suitably inscribed on the back. In the minutes of a Colonial Society meeting held on 4th June 1912, the following was noted under the rubric ‘Presentation of the medal to the Burgh Standard Bearer’:
‘The Chairman intimated that he had received a letter from Mr Sword, Midlothian Souters, requesting that they be allowed to present a medallion to the Royal Burgh Standard Bearer at the Colonial Bussin’ – this was agreed.
These cuttings are from Southern Reporter Newspaper
May 16th, 1912
Writing to Mr Pollok, the Town Clerk, Mr Robert Sword, secretary to the Edinburgh and Midlothian Souters, says that a meeting held in Oddfellows Hall on Wednesday night, it was resolved to send a
medallion in gold to the Standard Bearer as a memento of the occasion and as an additional inducement to young Souters to strive after the position od Standard Bearer at the common Riding. The medallion will have the Burgh Arms stamped on one side, and the Standard Bearers name with the date engraved on the other side. A committee was formed to carry through the project, and it is intended to send out a replica every year. The Edinburgh Souters are to be heartily congratulated on hitting on such an original idea. It will certainly help to increase the keenness of the competition for this much coveted post and will afford a beautiful and tangible memento of a memorable time. Provost Allan, who accepted the offer at the Town Council meeting on Monday, said the communication form the Edinburgh and Midlothian Souters was one they were very pleased to have, and the Council very cordially accepted the offer.
1927
In the minute of a committee meeting Tuesday 5th April 1927, it is recorded that the 1927 medallion would be presented by the then ELSS president, Mr C Gibson to the Royal Burgh Standard Bearer Gordon Stark, at the Colonial Society’s meeting on the ‘nicht afore the morn’.
1929
In 1929 it was decided by the committee and society members, that RBSB’s who had cast the flag before the first medallion presentation in 1912 and who were still alive should receive a medallion.
The presentations took place as follows:
* John Riddell was elected as standard bearer however he was prevented from carrying out his duties, by the military authorities.
Today
Present day, the Royal Burgh Standard Bearer is presented with a medallion at the Colonial Society Bussin’ on the Wednesday night of the Common Riding week, by two full members of the ELSS.
A Treasured Possession
We believe, though records are sparse, that the gold medallion cost 4 shillings and six pence in 1946. In 2024 the medallion cost in excess of £800.
The medallion has been purchased from Alexander Kirkwood and Sons in Edinburgh for many years.
We know from many ex-standard bearers that the medallion is a true memento of their year in office and is a treasured possession. The following two quotes reflect these sentiments.
“Receiving my gold medallion was one of the highlights of being Standard Bearer. I still feel immense pride when I wear my True Blue and Scarlet Rosette with the Medallion attached”
— Peter Scott RBSB in 1971
“There’s something very special about receiving the Edinburgh Souters Medallion in front of a packed Victoria Hall at the Colonial Bussin’. It’s another part of the Standard Bearer’s journey and medallion is a treasured possession that remains next to every Standard Bearers heart for ever”
— Scott Tomlinson RBSB in 2005 and Chairman of the Ex Standard Bearers 2023
