TOPIC:

1900 - Sixty invalided Colonial soldiers paid a visit to Dover.

...."On Saturday Dover was visited by a party of Colonial Volunteers, who have been at Shorncliffe since returning wounded or sick from South Africa.
....The party numbered 60, and consisted almost entirely of Canadians, but there were one or two Australians. There was, for instance, a New South Wales Lancer. Most of the men belonged to the Royal Canadian Regiment, while there were several of the North West Territory (Canada) Police, and one was from Ceylon. All looked fine fellows, although several limped, and the others were not long convalescent from enteric.
....One of the Canadians, Private Kennedy, had caught it very hot, and could boast and bemoan—for both would be appropriate—no less than nine bullet holes in his body. Trooper H. T. Warrené, also a Canadian, is one of the North West Mounted Police at Maple Creek, and before joining this force was for eleven years with the famous "Buffalo Bill." He himself bears the nickname of "Buffalo." Nearly all the men fought at Belmont and Paardeburg.
....In charge of the Colonials was Lieutenant H. L. Satow, of the Provisional Battalion—an officer who seemed to take a great deal of interest in making things as pleasant as possible for the men in his charge. There were also with the party the Rev. T. G. Hamilton Bailie, and his wife and daughter—Mrs. Hamilton Bailie and Miss E. Hamilton Bailie. The Rev. J. T. Evans, Chaplain to the Forces in Australia, was also with the party having been acting at Shorncliffe as Chaplain to the Colonials.
....The first visit after having been received at Dover was to the Castle. The party here were taken over the Armouries, the Keep, the Church, the underground works ; they saw Queen Elizabeth's Pocket Pistol, with its familiar Dutch words reminding them of South Africa. In short they were taken all over the Castle, and everything was described by the guides. Bombardier Hazeltine delivered two lectures on the Castle Church and Pharos in the history of which he evidently takes a great interest. His oratorical powers made one Canadian, a lawyer, exclaim that the gallant bombardier ought certainly to "chuck" describing a church and become a lecturer !
....After the Castle had been thoroughly explored, a journey was made in brakes to the Town Hall. Here they were received by the Deputy Mayor, Councillor W. J. Barnes, on behalf of the Mayor, Sir William Crundall. They explored the Municipal buildings, and after being drawn up, were given three cheers by the Gordon Boys, who undertook on the call of the founder, Mr. Thomas Blackman, to show how English boys appreciated our Colonial Volunteers. The Colonials promptly responded with three cheers for the Gordons, and the sixty Colonial voices made the old Maison Dieu ring as it is probable it will not do for many a day—probably it will be many a day before so many are in Dover again. After a word or two from the Deputy Mayor here and there, but no set speeches, the Gordons played "God Save the Queen," and the visitors departed for the Granville Restaurant, where a large crowd had assembled, and cheered as the men entered. They were here received by the Mayor, Major-General Hallam Parr (commanding the S.E.D ), who was accompanied by one or two staff officers, Colonel E. W. Knocker, C.B. (Town Clerk), Mr. Worsfold Mowll, Mr. C. W. Bagshawe, J.P., Mr. A. Bottle, J.P., Mr H. F. Edwin, J.P., Alderman H. Peake, J.P., Mr. G. Mowll, Mr. Travers Harby, Captain R. E. Knocker, Captain R. B. Cay, R.N., J.P., Mr. P. W. J. Mackenzie, J.P., etc.
....The Mayor, addressing the Colonial troops, said that as Mayor of Dover he offered them, on behalf of the inhabitants of the town, a most cordial welcome. When he heard the previous day from the Rev. Mr. Evans that there was a probability of them coming that day he found he had several engagements that he could not very well put off ; but when he also found that they were leaving England in all probability on the following Monday he at once telegraphed "Come by all means, and bring as many as you can." Dover people were delighted to see them. The only thing he regretted was that he did not have longer notice, so that he could have entertained them in a better style than he was now able to do. He sincerely hoped that they had had a pleasant afternoon at the Castle and the Maison Dieu, and he was glad they had had fine weather. He trusted that they would leave Dover with pleasant reminiscences of the place. (Applause.) So far as they were concerned in Dover, he could assure them that no one in the Empire had greater admiration of the doings of our brothers in the Colonies than they in Dover. Again he offered them a cordial welcome, and hoped they would have a pleasant return home or to the front, and that they would not forget their visit to Dover. (Applause.)
....Major-General Hallam Parr returned thanks on behalf of the Colonials, and remarked that he felt sure they would all remember that day as a happy one. (Applause.) They were pleased to have them at Shorncliffe, where their behaviour had been very good, and they had got on exceedingly well with the volunteers, militia and regulars.
....The Rev. J. G. Evans also spoke, referring to the kindness and thoughtfulness of General Hallam Parr, the commander of the South Eastern District. He thanked the Mayor for the most cordial welcome they had received. In far distant parts they would think with sorrow of many things that had happened, but they would always remember with unalloyed pleasure their visit to Dover. (Hear, hear.) In conclusion, he asked the Mayor to accept from him, on behalf of the Colonial force, their hearty thanks for the royal welcome that had been extended to them.
....The men then had tea, which they thoroughly enjoyed after their lengthy patrol. Sir William Crundall provided this, and also arranged with the Corporation band to give, or rather provide, an extra performance for the benefit of the Colonials.
....After tea the party was photographed by Mr. W. H. Broad, and then till about 9 p.m., when a return was made in special tram cars to the station, the evening was spent about the gardens and promenade, the Mayor's hospitality being further extended in the shape of refreshment and cigars. "Auld Lang Syne" heartily sung closed the proceedings.
....These Colonial visitors, or the majority of them, have by this time left England, as they, together with another party, made a detachment of 123, who sailed from Liverpool on Wednesday."
Dover Express, Friday 17th August 1900