State: New South Wales, Australia
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 25/06/1902
Number issued: 6 or 7
Gold medals, suitably inscribed, to:
261 Trooper Timothy William McCRISTOL [McCrystal / McCristal]
2011 Trooper William WOOD (died, Standerton, 26/11/1901 - did his family receive a medal?)
105 Trooper George CARNEY
Presentation made by Mr T.F. Matthews, at the School of Arts, Bellingen.
"The medals were of gold, neatly inscribed, and were supplied by Mr. W. Kerr, of George Street, Sydney, the design, a laurel wreath encircling a shield, being much admired".
Note: A seventh volunteer from Bellingen, Trooper W.H. WOOD, "laid down his life for his country". Did his family receive a medal?
HEARTY WELCOME.
ON Wednesday evening last the Bellingen School of Arts was crowded with residents from all parts of the district, the object being to welcome the returned troopers from South Africa, namely, T. McCRISTAL, G. CARNEY, H. GRAY, M.G. GORDON, F. GRANT, T. WOODS, and a fellow-comrade (Trooper MAYES).
About 8 p.m. Mr F.T. Matthews, J.P., the chairman, accompanied by the troopers, marched up the hall, and this was the signal for hearty applause. The proceedings were opened by an overture (piano) by Miss Vale after which the chairman read the following address –
“Messrs Troopers McCRISTAL, CARNEY, GRAY, GRANT, and GORDON. – I desire, on behalf of the residents of the district, to tender you a warm and hearty welcome on your safe return from the battlefields of South Africa to your native land, and to express our high appreciation of that brave and patriotic spirit which prompted you to offer your services to fight the battles of the Empire, and, taking your lives in your hands, to brave all the perils and hardships attending the campaign on the African veldt. It is to men like you that Britain owes her glorious position of prosperity and freedom to-day, and it is pleasing to know that you share in the honors which have been showered on our Australian soldiers for their resourcefulness, bravery, and good conduct. While we have men like you we need not fear but that we can defend our shores and country from an invading foe. You have proved that the same old martial spirit is only lying dormant in the Australian-born Anglo-Saxon, and requires but the spark of threatened danger to kindle it into a flame and show that we have lost none of the indomitable pluck and daring of the good old stock from which we spring, and who, as Napoleon said, “never knew when they were beaten”. Indeed, he might have said with more truth that they do not know what it is to be beaten. In the midst of our rejoicing we must not forget that in one home on the Bellinger the war has left a vacant chair. I allude to Trooper W.H. WOOD, who has laid down his life for his country and lies buried on the African veldt; and to his parents and family we tender our sincere sympathy. We hope you may now be spared to long and happy lives of peaceful prosperity, and that you may never again be called upon to use the rifle and the sword, either in the defence of this country or to fight the battles of the Empire in a distant land. We hope you have not become so deeply imbued with the military spirit as to unfit you to return to the happier avocations of the farm or trade. Your many friends have decided to give you a small but tangible proof of their recognition of your services to your country, and I will have much pleasure in presenting you each with a gold medal. And may it remind you that deserving bravery will always meet with its reward”.
The several medals were then presented as under – Trooper T. McCRISTAL (personally), Trooper G. CARNEY (personally), both of whom responded in terms of gratitude for the recognition of what they had done; Trooper F. GRANT (received by his father, Mr W.H. Grant); Trooper H. GRAY (absent); Trooper M.G. GORDON (received by his sister, he having returned to South Africa); Trooper T. WOODS (received by Mr H.E. Bennett, owing to his absence). Trooper MAYES also spoke, referring in high terms to the Australian “boys”, especially for their knack of looking after themselves. His account of the humorous side of war caused much amusement.
Each presentation was loudly applauded, and they were interspersed by the following items – Violin solo, Miss C. Denning; song, “Soldiers of the King”, nicely rendered by Mrs T. Paton; solo, “Sons of New Britania”, Mr F. Parker; quartette, “Hurrah, Hurrah”, Misses Denning, which was most vociferously encored, and they gave “Ringing Merrily”. The last item was a recitation, “For the Empire”, composed by Mr Hardcastle, of South Grafton, which was feelingly rendered by Miss M. Griffith. The large audience then sang “God Save the King”, with unmistakable fervour, but apparent sadness, caused by the news received during the day of the critical condition of King Edward’s health.
A nominal charge was made at the door, in aid of the local hospital fund, and the success of the affair was gauged by the fact that the gross receipts were £10 1s. At the termination of the programme refreshments were handed round to all assembled, which had been supplied by many kind lady friends in a most profuse manner, and to them all who assisted we tender sincere thanks on behalf of the hospital committee. The stage was decorated with two large flags, kindly lent by Messrs G. Henderson and A. Capp, and a “Welcome” banner, the property of the Oddfellows’ Lodge.
The medals were of gold, neatly inscribed, and were supplied by Mr W. Kerr, of George Street, Sydney, the design, a laurel wreath encircling a shield, being much admired. After the programme had been concluded the young people were given the opportunity of a couple of hours’ dancing, Messrs S. Moore (clarionet) and B. McLeod (piano) kindly supplying the music, and Mr H. Rowe doing duty as M.C.
RETURNED SOLDIERS WELCOMED.
BELLINGEN, Thursday. – A large gathering assembled at the School of Arts last night at a social evening for Troopers McCRYSTAL, CARNEY, GORDON, GRAY, and GRANT, who recently returned from South Africa by the Aurania. Mr T.F. Matthews presided, and presented each soldier with a gold medal, suitably inscribed, on behalf of the Bellingen people. The proceedings were marked with patriotic feeling, and expressions of loyal sentiment.
