State: Victoria, Australia
Issued on: Return
Dates of presentations: 17/10/1900, 20/10/1902, 17/11/1902
Number issued: 4
Gold medals [Maltese crosses], suitably inscribed, to:
17/10/1900 presentation
1st Victorian Infantry Company [1st Victorian Contingent] –
116 Private Edwin Campbell JEWELL
Presentation made by Councillor James Bailey, in the State School, Bridgewater.
20/10/1902 presentation
5th Victorian (Mounted Rifles) Contingent –
1527 Private Walter Frost SCOTT
Presentation made by Councillor James Bailey, at Mr Charlholme's Hotel, Bridgewater.
17/11/1902 presentation
5th Victorian (Mounted Rifles) Contingent –
1015 Corporal William Robert SAMERS
7th New Zealand Mounted Rifles –
4385 Private D.M. BARR
Presentation made by Councillor James Bailey, in the Mechanics' Hall, Bridgewater.
Supplied by Mr J.B. Edwards, jeweller, Bendigo.
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Bendigo Advertiser, 20th October 1900
PRIVATE JEWELL OF BRIDGEWATER.
Another social and presentation to Private JEWELL was given in the Mechanics’ Hall on Wednesday night. There was a good attendance, and the hall was nicely decorated. The spread was laid out in the State School, which looked very nice, and reflected credit on the ladies. Cr. James Bailey presided, and Mr D. Jones was vice-chairman. After, dancing till 12 o’clock, the company adjourned to the State School. After full justice was done to the good things and “The Queen”, Cr. Bailey proposed, and Mr J. Richards supported, “Our Guest”. It was received with deafening applause and drunk with musical honours. The chairman then presented Private JEWELL with a gold Maltese cross. Private JEWELL, in responding, gave an interesting; account of his nine months in South Africa. He spoke feelingly of the Pink Hill fight; how hard it was to see his comrades falling about him. What he had said was upheld by the returned soldiers present, Privates C. ANDERSON and P. WALKER, of Inglewood. At the conclusion he thanked them for their kindness, and also for the gift. He might say that his trip to South Africa had taught him to appreciate his home. The vice-chairman proposed “Returned Invalids”, which was responded to by Privates ANDERSON and WALKER. Mr A. Tatchell proposed “The Ladies”, and Mr James responded. The arrangements were carried out by Mr A. Gard, hon. secretary.
Bendigo Advertiser, 23rd October 1902
RETURNED SOLDIER HONORED.
Bridgewater, 22nd October.
A pleasant evening was spent at Mr Charlholmes’s hotel on Monday evening, the occasion being a welcome home to Mr W. SCOTT, on his return from South Africa, where he served with the Fifth Contingent. There were a good many present. Cr. James Bailey presided. After justice had been done to an excellent spread, the chairman proposed the toast “The King”, which was heartily honored. The chairman then proposed the toast “Our Guest”, which was supported by a number of those present, and drunk in bumpers. Mr SCOTT suitably responded, and recounted a number of his experiences in South Africa, where he had been for the past 18 months. Cr. Bailey then presented Mr SCOTT, on behalf of his Bridgewater friends, with a beautiful gold medal, suitably inscribed. Mt SCOTT, in responding, said he would never forget his Bridgewater friends, and would always wear the medal and treasure it. Mr Way proposed “The Secretary (Mr R. West)”, and that gentleman briefly responded. Mr Jenkins proposed “The Host and Hostess”, and the evening’s enjoyment concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman.
Bendigo Advertiser, 20th November 1902
HONOURING RETURNED SOLDIERS.
Bridgewater, 19th November.
A social was given on Monday night in the Mechanics' hall in honour of two returned soldiers, Private D. BARR, of the Seventh New Zealand Contingent, and Corporal Wm. R. SAMERS, of the Fifth Victorian Contingent. There was a good number present. The hall was nicely decorated with flags. Cr. James Bailey occupied the chair. At 9 o'clock the doors were opened to admit the soldiers (who were in uniform) and their relations, and they entered amid strains of music, the company also joining in singing "Home Sweet Home". The proceedings were interspersed by dancing, songs, and selections of music by the Milliken Family. Miss A. Sloan and Mr Joseph Jenkins, junr., rendered songs throughout the evening. At 11.30 refreshments were served. At the conclusion Cr. Bailey proposed the toast of "Our Boys", which was drunk with musical honours. Mr Bailey then presented each soldier with a nice gold medal, neatly inscribed, on behalf of their Bridgewater friends. The medals reflected credit on the maker, Mr J.B. Edwards, jeweller, etc., of Bendigo. Corporal SAMERS was the first to respond. He expressed his pleasure at being home again, and thanked them for the handsome medal and the hearty reception accorded him. He gave an outline of his experiences on the battlefield in South Africa. He described the majority of the Boers as a dirty lot, and said that the treatment they had received from the British Government was all that could be desired. Referring to the concentration camps, he stated that they were a paradise for the Boers compared to the way they had been living. Private BARR also suitably responded. A most enjoyable time was spent. The arrangements did credit to the hon. secretary (Mr R. West) and the committee.
Melbourne Age, 21st November 1902
BRIDGEWATER. – Corporal W.R. SAMERS, of the 5th Victorian Contingent, and Private D. BARR, of the 7th New Zealand Contingent, who are both natives of Bridgewater, were entertained at a social in the mechanics’ hall, and Cr. J. Bailey made the presentation of a gold medal to each.
