State: New South Wales, Australia
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 14/08/1901
Number issued: 1
Gold medal, to:
Inscribed: "Presented to Trooper T. Wells, by the citizens of Blayney, on his return from the South African War, 14/8/1901".
A Soldier’s Return.
WELCOME HOME TO TROOPER WELLS.
TROOPER T. WELLS, one of the Blayney boys who left with the Contingent for South Africa at the beginning of this year, arrived home in Blayney on Wednesday evening. He was invalided home on account of being severely wounded in an engagement at Ermelo, after ten weeks’ active service at the front. Trooper WELLS was shot in the face, the Mauser bullet going in the left side of his nose, shattering his right eye and eye had to be removed, and he now has a glass one. When he was shot he stuck on his horse until it was shot under him, and he picked up his rifle and hat and made his retreat on foot after his comrades. After being some time in the hospital he was invalided home, and arrived in Sydney by the troopship Britannic a fortnight ago. When he arrived at Blayney, it was seen that the wounded soldier had improved wonderfully, and although Tom has lost his right eye, he informed us that he can shoot off his left shoulder, and that he soon expects to be back again on the veldt in South Africa.
When it became known that Trooper WELLS arrived at Sydney, his many young friends and admirers in Blayney resolved to give him a fitting welcome home. They took the matter up with energy, and being assisted by the liberal donations from the residents, they succeeded in making the reception on Wednesday night one of the most enthusiastic celebrations ever had in Blayney. There were several hundred people present at the railway station, and greeted the returned soldier with enthusiastic cheers. When Trooper WELLS stepped on the platform, he was lifted shoulder high by several of his companions, carried off the platform, and placed in a “Victoria” carriage, kindly lent by Mr J. Reed, and which was prettily decorated for the occasion by several young lady friends of the returned hero. A procession was formed, headed by the Town Band, and the carriage was pulled by about a dozen of Trooper WELLS’ companions. The procession marched through Adelaide Street, and back to the Town Hall, hearty cheers greeting the returned soldier along the route by the citizens of the town.
At the Town Hall the proceedings commenced with a banquet. About 90 gentlemen sat down at the banquet, which was presided over by Dr Woodward, and Mr Reed occupied the vice-chair. Besides those present at the table, a large number of ladies were present. The guest occupied a position on the right of the chairman, and was seated in a chair decked with the Union Jack. The hall was neatly decorated with flags in honor of the occasion. The catering was in the capable hands of Mr Joseph Clements, and his prestige as a first-class caterer was well sustained. Mrs Clements and a number of young lady assistants waited on the table in a very pleasing and capable manner.
After ample justice was done to the good things provided, the chairman proposed “The King”, which was enthusiastically received.
The toast of “Our Guest” was then proposed by the Chairman. Dr Woodward said he would first tender a very cordial welcome to Trooper WELLS on his return to Blayney, and express their keen sympathy with him on account of the severe injury he received while serving his country at the front. (Applause). Trooper WELLS and the other Australians received great praise from all the British Generals. Not only was Lord Roberts profuse in his praise of Australians, but the stern Lord Kitchener, who was not a general who favoured “painted” soldiers, also gave the Australians highest praise, and said he would have as many of them as he could get. (Applause). During the short time Trooper WELLS was at the front, he had given satisfaction to those about him for his conduct in the field and valour – (cheers) – and although he was only a unit in the army, he had done his share, and returned seriously incapacitated. He would ask them to drink the health of Trooper WELLS, who fought and bled for his country, and had given further proof that Australian volunteers can hold their own with Britain’s best soldiers.
The toast was received with great enthusiasm and musical honors, the large assemblage cheering heartily and joined in singing “Soldiers of the King”, after which the band played an appropriate selection.
When the cheering subsided, the Chairman said that before calling Trooper WELLS to respond, he had another pleasing duty to perform by presenting Trooper WELLS with a memento and token of esteem to commemorate his return from the war. He then presented the returned hero with a handsome gold medal, inscribed as follows – “Presented to Trooper T. Wells, by the citizens of Blayney, on his return from the South African War, 14/8/1901”. The recipient was loudly cheered when he rose and accepted the present.
The Rev. W.K. Howell said he had been asked by Trooper WELLS to respond for him, as owing to the effects of the injury and his long journey in travelling from Sydney all day Mr WELLS did not feel good enough to fittingly reply for himself on such an occasion. The rev. gentleman gave a brief outline of Trooper WELLS’ experiences since he left Sydney in the Maplemore for South Africa. During the voyage over, a fire broke out on board the Maplemore, which burned for about six hours, and an amusing incident was that during the fire the chaplain was going about with life belts on, so that he might “save” himself if the vessel caught fire. Trooper WELS was in active service for ten weeks in South Africa, and took part in several skirmishes. On the occasion of his wounding at Ermelo they did not know where the Boers were, as they could not see the enemy. The Boers fired on them from under cover, and whilst they were retreating Trooper WELLS was wounded and his horse was shot under him. He then continued his retreat on foot, and the Boers continued firing at him while he was running about 1 ½ miles to get to his comrades. When he reached his comrades, they greeted with a downright hearty cheer for his pluck, manifesting that there was no intention on his part of showing the white feather. (Cheers). Mr Howell said they should be proud of having such young men in Australia. (Applause). He said that Trooper WELLS did not have many banquets in South Africa, and on one occasion he only had a biscuit and one pound of bully beef for two days. He met Hughey MURPHY and Dave HALL out there, and says that he will go back to South Africa if he gets half a chance. He had much pleasure in thanking them on behalf of Trooper WELLS for the reception and the present. The rev. gentleman conclude by referring in complimentary terms to the work done by the Australian troops in South Africa, and said that the British successes were largely due to the Colonials.
Cheers were again given for Trooper WELLS, the band played a patriotic selection, after which the company sang “He’s a Jolly Good Fellow”.
Mr D. Reed proposed “The fighting lads of the British Empire, coupled with the Australian Volunteers and Blayney boys at the War”. The toast was drunk with enthusiasm, and Mr W. Mellor responded. “Ladies” and “The Press” was proposed by Mr W. Chalson, and responded to by Mr Mellor (“Blayney Advocate”) and Mr J. Mardardy (“West Macquarie”).
The banquet having been concluded, the hall was cleared, and a very enjoyable social was held. The band rendered a selection, the Misses Bromfield (2) and Miss Ritchie rendering songs, and Mr D. Reed gave a recitation. The remaining time up till midnight was occupied by dancing, about 50 couples occupying the floor. Everybody enjoyed themselves to their heart’s content, and it was the unanimous opinion that the whole function was a fitting reception in celebrating the return home of one of our heroes from the war in South Africa.
