State: South Australia
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 01/05/1902
Number issued: 1
Gold [silver?] medal, suitably inscribed, to:
5th South Australian (Imperial Bushmen's) Contingent –
253 Trooper [Corporal] Ronald Edward EASTHER
Presentation made by Mr A. Assheton, on behalf of the residents of the Tatiara district & Serviceton, in the Institute, Wolseley.
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Adelaide Advertiser, 7th May 1902
Wolseley, May 5.
The Wolseley Hall was crowded on Thursday night, when a social was tendered to Corporal EASTHER and Troopers SMITH and RIESPEN, returned soldiers. The Chairman (Mr James Anderson), on behalf of the audience and residents, tendered a hearty, welcome to the soldiers. Mr A.L. Fry, president of the Tatiara Defence Rifle Club, and several other speakers following in the same strain. Mr A.J. Assheton presented Corporal EASTHER with a gold medal. The soldiers replied and expressed their gratitude for the hearty welcome-home given to them. A successful programme of music was carried through, and refreshments were provided.
Naracoorte Herald, 9th May 1902
A WELCOME HOME SOCIAL AT WOLSELEY.
On Thursday evening, May 1, Corpl. R. EASTHER and Trooper SMITH, of the Fifth Contingent, who had just returned from South Africa, were entertained at a welcome social by the people of Wolseley, Border Town and Serviceton, in the Wolseley Institute. Before the hour fixed for the gathering to commence — 8 o’clock — the hall was well filled with faces eager to see their returned heroes Thee evening’s entertainment was opened by a pianoforte overture by Miss Manton which was followed by the Wolseley Fife and Drum band playing a march as the guests of the evening entered the room with the Chairman (Mr H. Anderson). This was the call for loud and enthusiastic cheers. The following items were then given: — Song (comic), Mr A. Assheton; recitation, Mr Butler; piano solo, Miss Wolfe; song, Miss O'Dyer; instrumental duet, Master and Miss Flaherty; song (comic), Mr Fotheringham; selection, Wolseley Fife Band. The Chairman extended a hearty welcome to the returned soldiers and congratulated Corporal EASTHER on his return with stripes, also on his safe return and recovery from a serious illness when on the field. If they had been asked to pick a more capable man to represent Wolseley in the South African war it would have been impossible to find one, for they all felt on his leaving that they were losing the pick of their manhood in Corporal EASTHER. He referred to Corporal EASTHER as a member of the Fifth Contingent, a body of Australians which had gained the highest praise of all, the British officers. Messrs A. Assheton, W. Ballinger, A.L. Fry (President of the Tatiara Rifle Defence Club), A. Heggie (for the residents of Serviceton), Clark, H. Smith, H.P. Knight, H. Manton, and W. Gould also spoke. On behalf of residents of the Tatiara district and Serviceton, Mr A. Assheton presented Corporal EASTHER with a handsome gold medal suitably inscribed. Both Corporal EASTHER and Trooper SMITH replied and thanked the friends for the hearty way in which they had welcomed them home. If they should be called to fight for the Empire again they would feel it a duty to go to the front, but they would both feel more at home in starting out on a night march such as they had been used to on the veldt than having to face the audience present that evening. The whole proceedings were characterised with much enthusiasm, and frequent hearty cheering. Refreshments were handed round to all present, the gathering numbering full 300 people aud the manner in which this part of the arrangements was carried out was a credit to the promoters. After the social the hall was cleared and those who remained tripped the light fantastic to the wee' sma' hours.
Adelaide Observer, 10th May 1902
BORDERTOWN, May 2. – In the Wolseley Institute last night a welcome home was tendered to Cpl. EASTHER on his return from South Africa. Mr J. Anderson presided over a crowded attendance. The members of the Tatiara Rifle Club mustered in force. The proceedings opened with an improvised concert. An overture was played by Miss Manton. On its conclusion Cpl. EASTHER and his friends entered and proceeded to the platform, to the inspiring strains of the “British Grenadiers”, played by the school band. A comrade, Tpr. SMITH, also took a seat near the front. Songs, marches, and recitations appropriate to the occasion were rendered by Mr Assheton, Misses Wolfe, Flaherty, and Dyer, Messrs Fotheringham and Butler, and several piccolo selections were played by the boys. This was followed by a formal welcome, tendered by the Chairman. He spoke of Cpl. EASTHER’s record, complimented him on his promotion, and testified to the esteem he had won by his courage and good temper. Mr Assheton, in presenting Cpl. EASTHER with a silver medal, remarked that the guest had spent the evening before his departure in the company of a relative of his (Mr Assheton’s), who had since perished in the war. Messrs Ballinger, Manton, A.L. Fry (President of the Tatiara Defence Rifle Club), and Heggie (of Serviceton, on behalf of the residents of that town), Smith, Clark, Knight, and Gold spoke in the highest terms of the good qualities of the guest. The Chairman remarked that the welcome, although originally intended for Cpl. EASTHER, also included his gallant comrade, Tpr. SMITH, who had equally sustained a soldier’s part in South Africa. The assemblage gave three hearty cheers, and enthusiastically sang “They are jolly good fellows”. Cpl. EASTHER and Tpr. SMITH briefly replied. Supper was handed around, and dancing followed.
