State: Victoria, Australia
Issued on: Return
Dates of presentations: 13/02/1901, 07/06/1901, 18/07/1901, 30/04/1902
Number issued: 11
13/02/1901 presentation
45 Private Packington Joseph VALLENCE
Presentation made in the Shire Hall, Bacchus Marsh.
"Each bears the initials of the recipient, and on the reverse an inscription stating that the medal was presented on 13th Feb., 1901, by the inhabitants of Bacchus Marsh District for active service in South Africa, 1899-1900".
07/06/1901 presentation
597 Sergeant-Saddler Alfred John TINKER
18/07/1901 presentation
97 Trooper George Henry GORMAN
03/04/1902 presentation
1074 Private [Shoeing-Smith] William Thompson SERJEANT [Sergeant]
Presentation made by Councillor Watson, in the Mechanics' Institute, Bacchus Marsh.
Captain Staughton received a gold Maltese cross from the inhabitants of Melton.
PRESENTATION AND FREE CONCERT IN THE EVENING.
THIS demonstration was a worthy close to the first series of Bacchus Marsh efforts to co-operate in active service in South Africa. That is the view to take of it. War has been brought literally close to “our bosoms and businesses”. Honour and arms and hard-headed business considerations are indissolubly allied for all time to come with the events which followed Kruger’s insolent defiance of arbitration, or any reasonable means of governing South Africa, by his ultimatum of October, 1899. There will have to be other welcomes to returned Bacchus Marsh soldiers, but not individual welcomes, if collective ones can be arranged. There are 4 local men now in the field, and 6 or 8 others going. These must be duly honoured for the work they are doing or have undertaken on behalf of every Australian. And here we may as well remark that any permanent memorial in Bacchus marsh, or anywhere else, to the 1st Contingent, while properly giving that body highest honours, must not ignore the others.
The hall was crowded, and the platform well adorned with flags, a festoon of black drapery across the larger flags on the back wall indicating (appropriately enough) that the revered Queen is not already forgotten. Mr Mark Kyle, J.P., presided with his usual efficiency on such occasions, but we could have wished that he had made the presentation of medals a little more prominent, and it could have induced the 4 recipients (and especially Corporal SQUIRES) to have said a few words. No doubt it is trying to face a large and excited audience, even if it is the excitement of super-friendliness, but as the welcome was the only public one which ladies have had the opportunity of attending, the omission of a few words from the soldiers themselves was a serious one. Let us hope that an occasion will yet present itself to duly observe “the fitness of things”, for at present the matter stands very much like presenting “Hamlet” with the Prince left out.
The musical programme was a good and lengthy one, ding credit to the performers and to Mr Teerly, who organised it. Miss N. Manly sang very clearly and carefully “Home, sweet home”, and for encore, “The dashing white sergeant”, which suits her well; also “Rule Britannia” at the close. Miss Locke gave “Th the front” very well, and was encored. Mr Manning sang “Navy blue”, and “The English speaking race”, both well done, and encored. Rev. E.G. Hicks recited “Camperdown” and “Bill Adams”, both excellent, and given without a flaw. He should venture on a little more declamation occasionally. An instrumental quartette was played with great success by Misses Pearce, Hodgson, Lawrence (violins), Miss Fenton (pianist) and Mr C. Dickie (flute). They also assisted with “Rule Britannia” and the National Anthem. The cadets, with young Usher as soloist, gave a good rendering of “Soldiers of the King”. Miss Simpson (who played most of the accompaniments) played the pianoforte part of a duet with Mr Norman Wilson (clarionet) which was encored, and was very acceptable. Mr Fisher sang a comic song, which was encored, and the 3 musical fellows (Masters Usher, Rogers, and McMillan) again disported themselves in honour of the occasion, and were encored.
The Chairman made an enthusiastic speech in honour of the Australian soldiers in South Africa, quoting Lord Roberts’ high opinion of them. He then presented the medals, which are highly ornamented and chased ones, intended as a watch chain pendant, as soldiers are not allowed to wear such offerings as medals. Each bears the initials of the recipient, and on the reverse an inscription stating that the medal was presented on 13th Feb., 1901, by the inhabitants of Bacchus Marsh District for active service in South Africa, 1899-1900. The medals were supplied by Mr E.H. Wilson, local jeweller, and have given general satisfaction.
In the absence of Captain STAUGHTON in New Zealand, Mr S.T. Staughton, M.L.A., responded on his behalf. He was glad that the district had paid this compliment to the young men who had risked their lives over and over again in a service which all reaped the benefit of, although they did not incur the danger. They would all become more loyal, if possible, in the memory of having served a Queen so revered. There was no doubt that the 1st Contingent had a specially arduous task in drawing the fire of the enemy. Many of the 200,000 who followed them never met the enemy’s fire. He wanted to see a permanent memorial erected opposite their post-office as a perpetual record of the first volunteers from this place to enter upon active service. He proposed a granite drinking fountain, and would like to see a local committee formed to gather subscriptions, however trifling they might be, but as evidence of hearty approval of the cause the memorial honoured. He hoped this movement would take form at once. He thanked them on behalf of his son for all the honours and good wishes they had given to him.
Mr T.G. Pearce admitted that he had under-rated the importance of the task the 1st Contingent had undertaken, because he had such a veneration for the British army, but he was not alone in feeling surprise, as well as keen pleasure, in the valuable help that Australians had been able to give in those all-important first weeks of the campaign. No one could estimate the moral strength this noble resolve of Australia’s sons to prove, by the highest sacrifice that men could make, that they were loyal to the flag, conferred upon the whole Empire and upon the British army, and upon the loyalists in South Africa; nor how much it checked disloyalty everywhere. It was a precious memory to them all, and especially to these volunteers, that their action must have brightened the last few months of the life of their late beloved Queen. Mr Pearce made an excellent speech, and remarked that he would like to see the surviving members of the Prince of Wales Light Horse called together in these modern times to show that, 40 years ago, Bacchus Marsh was in advance of most places in military ardour.
The Chairman here intimated that the 4 returned soldiers preferred to leave Mr Staughton’s speech as sufficient expression of their thanks to the people of the district for what they had done for them.
Private Bence proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Kyle and Mr Almond, and the last named proposed a vote of thanks to the performers and to Mr Teerly, Mr Kyle also remarking that, without their help, the entertainment could not have been made so successful.
There were a number of soldiers on the platform, and one of them had been actively engaged in South Africa, who should have received some recognition. As a matter of strict fact, the concert programme just a little bit overlaid the real object of the gathering.
Captain Chirnside, M.L.A., sent a telegram of apology for non-attendance, as he is under medical orders not to be out at night.
Cr. W. Grant (President of the Shire) then presented a gold medal to Trooper GORMAN, being exactly the same as those presented to other “active service” representatives of Bacchus Marsh. He said he had very much pleasure in assuring Trooper GORMAN that all the people of the district, whether they knew him or not, were extremely thankful that he had returned in safety to the place from which he departed. No matter what credit was earned by this or that man in authority, or by this and other districts for helping the mother country, it would all have been of no value without the actual services of such men as Trooper GORMAN. It was no trifling thing to uphold the British flag at any time. It was a great honour, and also a danger. This little medal was intended to show, as far as the donors could, that they were grateful to Trooper GORMAN for what he had done for them, and they hoped he would long be spared to wear it. (Applause).
SOUTH AFRICAN DRINKING FOUNTAIN.
The ceremony of handing over the granite fountain erected opposite the post-office, Bacchus Marsh, to commemorate the services rendered by residents in this district to the several contingents which entered upon active service in South Africa from 1899 to the present time, was carried out on Wednesday afternoon in the presence of a good muster of the public, and a parade of the V.M.R. under Captains Riddell and Staughton, and Sergeant-Major Algie; also of the local Cadets, under Lieutenant Lindsay. Most of the returned soldiers were present.
Mr J. Almond, who has acted as hon. Secretary to all the patriotic manifestations and meetings held in this district since 1899, explained to the assemblage that the fountain was the gift of the late Mr S.T. Staughton, who was for so many years the member for West Bourke. He had asked Cr. W. Grant, as President of the Shire last year, to carry out the work on behalf of the local committee. This had been done, and Cr. Grant would hand over the fountain to the President of the Shire this year (Cr. Watson) as public property.
Cr. Grant said the late Mr Staughton told him he would like the school children of the district to subscribe something towards this fountain, no matter how little, and this had been done. He would now take the flag off the fountain, and hand it over to the President of the Shire Council, which body had accepted the responsibility of keeping the fountain in repair. They were all aware that they had sustained a great public and private loss in the death of Mr Staughton, therefore it was thought fitting to add his name to the memorial. The fountain was now public property, and he asked for three cheers for the King.
These having been given, Mr Mark Kyle, J.P., referred to the unprecedented character of this ceremony in Bacchus Marsh. They were all sorry to miss the cheery voice and kindly face of Mr Staughton, who had looked forward with fond anticipation to this day. He was a whole-souled Briton, most anxious, as they all ought to be, to uphold the unity of the Empire. He gave signal proof of this when he allowed his son, Captain Staughton, to risk his life as one of the first Victorians to defend the grand old flag from the ruthless hands of those who wished to banish it from South Africa. Mr Kyle went on to describe the rallying from all parts of the Empire which had checked a European war, and much lessened its probability in the future.
Mr T.G. Pearce said that all Australians had seen a good deal of the pomp of war in the departure and return of their soldiers, but what they had not seen, and could not realise, was the terrible personal experience which each soldier who went out had to undergo, not only in facing death in various forms, but in having to cause death to others as their stern duty to themselves, their comrades, and their country. That was a burden of Empire which would remain with them always, and those non-combatants, on whose behalf it was undertaken, could not show too much sympathy to those who had endured it. It was fitting that this fountain should be erected, and also that it should perpetuate the name of its donor, who had done so much for the present generation that they had no need to be reminded of his services, but the record was valuable for posterity.
Captain Riddell said the fountain would always be a pleasing record of patriotism. He was proud to think that 50 per cent. of the strength of the little detachment of V.M.R. at Bacchus Marsh were among the very first in Victoria to volunteer to go to the war.
Cr. Watson said that of all the gifts the late Mr Staughton gave to Bacchus Marsh this must stand first, on account of its object. He would have been the king of the assemblage had his life been spared to this day.
Cr. Molesworth Greene, J.P., said the death of Mr Staughton was a personal loss, keenly felt in this district. He was a kind and enterprising colonist, and an honest statesman. This memorial would remind future generations of a most notable episode in the history of the world. The Empire was not a geographical expression merely, and Australians had done a noble share to prove that it was something more. The fact that all the British generals competed for the services of the Australians, and wanted more of them, was proof that their services were valuable. He thought that the Rensburg affair, where Major Eddy lost his life while the Australians were endeavouring to rescue the Wiltshires, was a most gallant action. He trusted that future generations would always remember that this memorial was erected to foster loyalty to the grand old flag that had for a thousand years braved the battle and the breeze.
Cr. G. Dickie, J.P., well remembered that it was the proudest moment of his life when young Australia volunteered to go to South Africa. They went into the hardest experience straight off, and did infinite credit to themselves and to their country and to their ancestors. The trial to their relatives was very great, as they alone knew. The late Mr Staughton was in the thoughts of all of them on this occasion, and rightly so, for no man was more thoughtful for others.
"God save the King" was sung, and the meeting dispersed. There was a scramble among the school children to obtain first drink from the fountain, and little Edie Carter secured that honour (also half a crown from Captain Staughton). The fountain is a most artistic piece of work in every detail, and highly creditable to Messrs Chambers & Clutten. It is circular in form, from the base upwards, and terminates in a finial of fleur-de-lis character. It is wholly of polished granite-grey, slate colour and red. All the mouldings and curves blend beautifully from every point of view, and the drinking tap and ladles are of nickel. The quality of the water is unsatisfactory, and it is not creditable to the local committee that they took no steps to secure a supply of rain water from the roofs of adjacent buildings. We expect that this work will have to be undertaken after a summer's experience of the short and bad supply of Werribee river water.
The projecting cornice round the top of the fountain bears the inscription on front and rear faces, in incised and gilt letters, very neatly cut and ornamented with scroll work: –
Pro Gloria. / Pro Deo et Patria. Vict. / Victorian Mounted Rifles.
The above is the motto of the V.M.R., and it was on the suggestion of Captain Riddell that these words were added, to brighten the memorial, and they have a very excellent effect. On the east and west sides of the cornice appear the letters and figures "S.A. 1901." The figures should have been 1899-01.
On the front face the inscription reads: –
This Fountain was erected to perpetuate the Memory of those who were selected from this District to serve their Queen and country in South Africa.
1st Contingent, V.M.R. / Captain S.T. Staughton, D.S.O. / Lance-Corpl. D. Squires. / Pte. R.G. Lyle. / Pte. P.J. Vallence. / Pte. D. Lyle.
On the reverse side the words are: –
2nd Contingent. / Sergt. A.J. Tinker. / 4th Contingent. / Trooper G. Gorman. / 5th Contingent. / W.H. Hodgson. / F. Reid. / Wm. Brimblecomb. / Wm. Serjeant.
On the front face of the fountain the inscription is placed: –
This Fountain / Also perpetuates the Memory of the late / Samuel Thomas Staughton, / M.L.A.
An apology was received for the non-attendance of Mr R.A. Crouch, M.H.R. for this district, who had a prior engagement at Geelong.
RETURNED SOLDIERS.
BACCHUS MARSH.
ON Wednesday evening, in the Mechanics' Institute a "welcome home" reception was given to Privates HODGSON, SERGEANT, BRIMBLECOMBE, and REID, members of the 5th Contingent from South Africa. There was a large attendance – the best since Mafeking day – and an extra table had to be brought in to accommodate all the visitors, many of whom came from long distances. It was matter for regret, therefore, that the tables were inadequately furnished with biscuits, &c. The occasion was also taken advantage of to bid farewell to the Coronation contingent from this place, consisting of Captain S.T. STAUGHTON, D.S.O., M.L.A., Corporal Packington VALLENCE, Privates Gordon LYLE, and D. SQUIRES. There was a good muster of V.M.R., including Lieutenant Chomley, all in uniforms, and there should have been a Master of Ceremonies to group them all together. The relatives of the soldiers returning, and going away, should also have had an opportunity of saying a few words.
The chair was taken by Mr Mark Kyle, J.P., who expressed his pleasure that this sustained movement to welcome soldiers was not flagging. They all felt that their boys had done well, and it was their duty to treat them well.
In proposing the toast of "The King and Queen" the Chairman descanted upon the glories of the Coronation, and regretted that the Federal Parliament had not been more liberal in its vote for the expenses of a Commonwealth contingent. "It was money ill-saved".
Captain Alfred (who was a member of the Ballarat contingent with Lieutenant-Colonel Kelly) sang "Something in the English, Scotch, and Irish after all".
Cr. Watson (President of the Shire) proposed the toast of "Our Guests", in cordial terms. They made one pleased to be an Australian. He also presented to each of the 4 returned members of the 5th Contingent a gold medal, subscribed for locally.
Mr R.F. Manning sang "The Navy".
The Chairman enlarged upon the theme of "Our guests", in a very eloquent manner, and quoted Lord Kitchener's praise of the 5th Contingent. He recalled the history of the last 3 years, and showed how it had consolidated the Empire. The portents for peace were good, but there must not be another Majuba blunder.
Cr. G. Dickie, J.P., expressed the pleasure he had in welcoming these young men back, and was proud to have lived to see the day when the descendants of the old pioneers proved so worthy of their country.
Cr. W.H. McFarlane, J.P., as another of those who had reached the allotted span, was pleased to be present at all these meetings, and if necessary would have been in the fight too.
Cr. S. John Staughton was glad to welcome every returned soldier.
Mr D.A. Little was glad to honour those who had assisted the grand old Empire in which they lived.
Cr. Grant had the same feelings of respect and thankfulness for the 5th Contingent as he had for the others. All their names were engraved in granite in our township.
Mr T. Cain, J.P., added his words of welcome home.
Mr Carthew sang "Motherland".
Mr C. Thomson gave a fine rendering of a very suitable song, "A soldier lad". And for encore sang a comic song.
Each of the returned soldiers briefly expressed their thanks for the reception. SERGEANT also acknowledged the medals. He said they went as soldiers to do their duty, and could safely say they did that part of the work.
Mr Manning sang "The English speaking race", and Private HODGSON gave a 5th Contingent recitation.
The Chairman wished God speed to Captain Staughton and his comrades of the Coronation escort, and was sure that his constituents in West Bourke gladly gave him leave of absence.
Mr A.R. Robertson supported the toast, and pointed out how necessary pageantry was as a means of keeping the Imperial sentiment alive. The Empire meant the advancement of mankind, and it was necessary to have might to enforce right. Since 1668 the army belonged to the people, and had always been used in their interests. That was the case in South Africa.
Mr A.R. Robertson sang "The Englishman".
Captain Staughton thanked the Chairman for his remarks, and his constituents for their kindness. He expected to be back in 4 or 5 months. He was very pleased to be present to do honour to the 5th Contingent, respecting which many mis-statements had been made. He had seen official reports from the Imperial head-quarters saying that the 5th Contingent was as good as the best in the field. The members of the 1st Contingent who were going for the coronation ceremonies were very proud of the honour. They were picked on their records, and only men who knew how to behave themselves as gentlemen had been chosen.
Corporal Packington VALLENCE was glad to see his comrades of the V.M.R., who went with the 5th Contingent, looking so well. He deeply valued the honour of going to the coronation.
Private Gordon LYLE expressed similar sentiments. The 5th Contingent had a rough time. He was sure they did their duty, whatever happened.
Private D. SQUIRES was pleased to see the young men back. He felt deeply indebted to them all for kindness shown.
Mr P. A. McFarlane proposed "The Press", to which Mr C. Crisp. responded.
Mr Thomson sang a number of comic songs, and gave a triplet recitation. He was vociferously applauded, and is highly amusing.
VICTORIAN MOUNTED RIFLES
S.A. 1901
1ST CONTINGENT, V.M.R.
2ND CONTINGENT.
4TH CONTINGENT.
5TH CONTINGENT.
WM. SERJEANT.
