State: New South Wales, Australia
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 08/08/1902
Number issued: 1
Gold medal, to:
PRESENTATION AT BONGONGOLONG.
TO CORPORAL JAMES TUBBERTY.
OVER one hundred people attended at the Bongongolong hall on Friday night to take part in the presentation and complimentary social tendered to Corporal TUBBERTY, who had served in South Africa with the Imperial Mounted Rifles. The affair was on quite a lavish scale. The pavilion adjoining the hall was prepared in regal supper fashion, and as the company assembled for the purpose of making the presentation scarce standing room was available. The presentation, which was made early in the evening, took the form of a beauriful gold medal valued at £3 3s, suitably inscribed. The chair was occupied by Mr J. Grubb, who explained that the village was proud of the patriotic services Corporal TUBBERTY had rendered his King and country at the seat of war.
Mr Ralph, in making the presentation, paid a warm compliment to the spirit animating their friend in offering his services, and spoke of his worth as a resident of the district and of his inoffensive disposition.
Corporal TUBBERTY, in responding, said their kindness would live long in his memory. He considered he had only done his duty, as thousands of others had done. He hoped to long deserve their good opinion.
Mr J.A.M. Millington made a capital patriotic speech. It was due to men like Corporal TUBBERTY that the honor and the prestige of the British nation had been upheld, that the nation’s good name had not been traduced, and that the grand old flag had not been tarnished by the thrusts of the enemy. He was glad to notice that General De Wet had recently borne witness to the services rendered by the Australians in the war. When they remembered the trials their soldiers and sailors had endured in past centuries to preserve for them the germ of liberty whose magnificence they now enjoyed, they should respect the memories of those great heroes whilst cherishing the portion played by their braves sons of today in upholding the Empire’s cause. Whilst hoping the occasion might never arise for Australians to take up arms again either at home or abroad in defence of their own homes or the cause of the Empire, he was sure they would again nobly perform their duty should dark hours come upon them.
Speeches eulogistic of Corporal TUBBERTY’s worth as a man and a soldier were made by Messrs S. Nicholls, E.J. Walker, G. Hancock, Trooper Priddle, Trooper Luff, Mr T. Bone and Corporal Whitaker. The latter, who also served in South Africa, said he had heard from a member of the 3rd contingent, to which Corporal TUBBERTY was attached, that he was voted one of the best fellows in the regiment.
After a song, “The Battle of Balaclava”, by Mr S. Grosvenor, Corporal TUBBERTY again thanked the company for the kindly sentiments expressed regarding him.
Other toasts honored were – “The Tubberty Family”, proposed by Mr R. Nicholls, and responed to by Mr M. Tubberty; “The Visitors”, proposed by Mr H. Leary, and responded to by Messrs Gray and Cooper; “The ladies”, proposed by Mr R. Butt, and acknowledged by Mr Gray; and "The Press", which was acknowledged by representatives of the local papers.
Afterwards the company adjourned to the ball-room, where dancing was indulged in until midnight. There was an immense gathering, and enjoyment was depicted on every countenance. The reunion was very creditable to the residents, and was highly complimentary to the soldier in whose honor it was held.
