Medals and awards

Reverse: "Presented to Sergeant Henry Vincent Larkin, by the residents of Adelong Mt. Adrah, to show their appreciation of his services in the South African War, 1900-1901, 4th October".

Presentations to Returned Troopers.

Between the first and second acts of the drama, "When London Sleeps", played by the Gerald Company at the Oddfellows' Hall on Thursday night, Sergeant Henry Vincent LARKINS, of Hillas Creek, was made the recipient of a handsome gold medal, from the residents of Adelong and Mt. Adrah, in recognition of his services with the 3rd Bushman’s Contingent to the Empire in the South African War. The presentation was made by Mr J.J. Vivian, who eulogised the valour and gallantly displayed by the Australian soldiers in South Africa. Sergeant LARKINS feelingly responded, thanking the people for their thoughtfulness and valuable present. He said he could not say that he had altogether been prompted to go to South Africa out of a sense of loyalty to his country, but there was the double element of a desire to see life and gain experience. The medal was prettily designed, having a pair of rifles crossed on the top, and a Mauser cartridge affixed to the bottom, the centre of the obverse bearing the inscription, "Presented to Sergeant Henry Vincent Larkin, by the residents of Adelong Mt. Adrah, to show their appreciation of his services in the South African War, 1900 – 1901. 4th October". On the reverse was a shield bearing the recipient's monogram. It had been intended that Trooper G.T. BAKER, of Gadara, should receive a similar honour, but at the last moment circumstances arose which necessitated its postponement. A number of the troopers friends assembled at Perkins' Post Office Hotel afterwards, where light refreshments had been tastefully arranged on the large dining table.

Mr J.J. Vivian as chairman of the committee, took the chair, and formally welcomed Sergeant LARKINS back to the district. Ho regretted that Trooper BAKER was not present as it was disappointing to the committee. In a short, but well-constructed address, the chairman recapitulated some of the heroic deeds of the Australian soldiers, and stated that although the men from this district had come back without any award for special bravery, they had gone through the perils of battle, had fought bravely, but had not all come out unscathed; some even had lost their lives.

After the health of Sergeant LARKINS had been drunk, and the returned soldier had returned thanks, the chairman handed to Mr Chas. Baker, sr., on behalf of his son Trooper G.T. BAKER, the gold medal which it had been arranged was to have been presented to the trooper personally. The medal was a facsimile in design of Sergeant LARKINS', and the inscription differed only in the name and that it came from the residents of Adelong and district. The toast of Trooper G.T. BAKER was then proposed, and supported by several speakers, the trooper's father and brother replying.

The healths of Messrs P. Kenny and Chas. Baker and family were also drunk, and kindly words were said of the efforts of these two Adelong old identities towards the advancement of the town and district and their industries.