Medals and awards

Burnie, Tas

State: Tasmania
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 13/08/1901
Number issued: 4

 

Gold Maltese crosses, to:

1st Tasmanian Imperial Bushmen –
27 Trooper Walter McIntosh BRIDLEY
86 Trooper Arthur Albert McLEOD
94 Trooper James Robert SHIELDS
113 Trooper William Patrick WHELAN
 

Presentation made in the Town Hall, Burnie.

 

Obverse: "South Africa, 1900-1".

Reverse: " _________ Imperial Bushman, Tasmanian Contingent, from residents of Emu Bay".

"The medals were Maltese cruciform and were supplied by Mr E.A. Joyce, and form very handsome souvenirs. On one side was the inscription “South Africa, 1900-1”; and on the other “Imperial Bushman, Tasmanian Contingent, from the residents of Emu Bay”; the name of the recipient being included".

 

Supplied by Mr E.A. Joyce.

 

 

 

 
 
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Emu Bay Times, 3rd August 1901
 
The sub-committee appointed for the purpose have been making arrangements for publicly welcoming the four Burnie members of the returned fourth contingent on Tuesday, August 13. The sub-committee in charge of the children’s demonstration have arranged a procession starting from the Town Hall at 2 o’clock, and headed by the four returned troopers on steeds to be provided by Mr J. Nothrop. The procession, to be marshalled by Mr J.W. Smithies, will consist of the school children the town and district. The brass band will enliven the route, and the general public will be also invited to take part. Arrived at the Recreation Ground a varied programme will be gone through. The sub-committee appointed to arrange for the social have decided to hold a grand patriotic concert in the evening, during which gold medals (which are being procured by Mr E.A. Joyce ……. [missing text]
……. [missing text] quartet. The floor will be cleared at 10 p.m. for a convivial evening. Captain R.C. Lewis, the officer in charge of the contingent, and Major H.G. Brown, commanding the 3rd Battalion, are being invited to be present in the evening. Mr J. Bishop Osborne has been appointed stage manager to arrange the concert programme. The hall will be tastefully decorated, several ladies having promised to lend their assistance in this direction.
 
 
Emu Bay Times, 14th August 1901
 

WELCOME TO RETURNED TROOPS.

It would not be incorrect to say the town was en fete yesterday, the occasion being the citizens’ welcome to the returned Burnie members of the fourth contingent, the welcome being organised and successfully carried out chiefly by the energy of the hon. sec. Mr J.G. Harris, ably assisted by other townsmen, who had charge of the different features of the welcome.

At about 8 p.m. the proceedings began with a procession, in which the band, the Burnie T.I.R., under Captain F. Knowles Miller, school children to the number of 200, residents and visitors on foot and in vehicles, formed a diverting spectacle in front of the Town Hall. Not least in the throng were the returned men themselves. Troopers W. BRIDLEY, A. McLEOD, J.R. SHIELDS and W.J. WHELAN, each being mounted. Added to these were visiting returned bushmen whose names were: Farrier-Sergeants SHAW (Deloraine) and HUTTON (Ulverstone); Troopers WESTBROOK (Launceston), DUDFIELD and HAYES (Forth), GREEN, HEYNE and KENWORTHY (Waratah). Under the baton of Marshal Smithies, assisted by Superintendent Ruddock and the local police and others, the procession wended its way through the town to the Recreation Ground, creating a most pleasing spectacle. One feature was the display of color; each child carried a flag, and the same tokens of national unity and feeling streamed from nearly every house in the town. It almost seemed like a replica of the Mafeking celebration. One of the features of the procession was the Methodist juvenile naval brigade drawing a dangerous looking “Long Tom”, which was appropriately painted khaki – the work and organisation of Mr C.E. Edmonds.

A pleasant juvenile afternoon was spent at the Recreation Ground, which included among its serious elements a stirring address by Mr A.K. Chapman, which preceded the “hoisting of the flag”. Cheers were given for the King, the returned soldiers and the Commonwealth.

The evening’s entertainment in the Town Hall capped the proceedings, and in the first place reflects great credit on the artistic taste and skill of Mr Bishop Osborne for his stage arrangements, which made a concert successful in itself a continual joy to the thronged hall; many could not secure admission. Mr H. Billett had installed the acetylene gas, and W.H. Lane painted the devices – “Welcome to our boys” and “For King and Empire” – adding a crowning success to the stage manager’s efforts.

The concert opened with an overture by the Burnie Brass Band; song “Rule Britannia”, Miss H.M. Smithies; musical selection, Miss H. Smithies, Messrs Osborne and Notman; duet “Life’s dream is o’er”, Misses Ruddock and Dale; song “Motherland”, Mr W. Ruddock; song “Nancy Lee”, Mr G. Pink; cornet solo, Bandmaster Goninon and Miss H.M. Smithies; song “Advance Tasmania”, Misses Ryan. In the interval an address was given by Mr A.K. Chapman, and gold medals were presented to the four troopers from Burnie. The medals were Maltese cruciform and were supplied by Mr E.A. Joyce, and form very handsome souvenirs. On one side was the inscription “South Africa, 1900-1”; and on the other “Imperial Bushman, Tasmanian Contingent, from the residents of Emu Bay”; the name of the recipient being included. Cheers were given for the King and troopers. The programme then proceeded: Musical selection, Orchestra; recital “The faithful lover”, Mr A.K. Chapman; song “Marching”, Mr H. Fisher; recitation “Remember Majuba”, Mr J.G. Harris; song “To the front”, Mr E.M. Ikin; song “Sleeping camp”, Mr F. Smale; song “Break the news to mother”, Mr Pearce. Beside the returned troopers on the stage were marshalled the local detachment under Captain Miller.
 
 
Launceston Daily Telegraph, 15th August 1901
 

HOME FROM THE WAR

BURNIE.

BURNIE, Tuesday. – The residents of the Emu Bay district today tendered to the returned representatives of Burnie in the first Imperial Bushmen Contingent a public welcome home. In the afternoon a procession marched through the town, and sports, etc., were held on the recreation ground for the children, a large number turning out to witness the display. Tonight an entertainment was held at the town hall, before a crowded audience, at which each of the returned men was presented with a gold medal, in commemoration of his services to the Empire.
 
 
 
 
Details
Parent Category: Tribute medals
Category: B
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