State: New South Wales, Australia
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 13/09/1901, 15/12/1902
Number issued: 5
Gold medals, to:
13/09/1901 presentation
518 Trooper James Ginger WHITE
517 Trooper Garald IRVINE
15/12/1902 presentation
1484 Trooper Joseph W. WATERS
2457 Driver Alfred Ernest WILSON
Presentation made by the Rev. D.T. Smith, in the School of Arts, Burrawang.
Waters medal inscribed: "Presented by the residents of Burrawang to Trooper J.W. Waters, D Squadron, 3rd Regiment N.S.W. Mounted Rifles on his return from South Africa".
Wilson medal inscribed: "Presented by the residents of Burrawang to Driver Ernest Wilson, Machine Gun Section, 3rd N.S.W. Mounted Rifles on his return from South Africa".
A letter to the editor of the Bowral Southern Mail (09/05/1902), suggests that one of the Burrawang recipients had his medal brooch-mounted and gave it to his girlfriend: When presenting the war medals to the returned troopers Mr Campbell said “Take this medal; you will look upon it with pride, and you will hand it down to your children”. He did not say “convert it into a brooch and give it to your best girl”.
SEE ALSO: ROBERTSON, NSW
A social was held in Gardiner’s Hall at Burrawang on Friday night for the purpose of presenting “War Medals” to three returned troopers, viz., SINCLAIR, IRVINE and WHITE. There was a large attendance and a very pleasant and enjoyable evening was spent …….
……. At about 10 p.m. the secretary, Mr E. Hetherington, placed the three gold medals on the table, and the ceremony of the evening began.
The Rev. D.T. Smith said that Burrawang was rather late in the field, but he was reminded of the old proverb “better late than never”. The delay had probably been occasioned by a misunderstanding between Burrawang and Robertson, but be that as it may, he believed that the men from Burrawang were quite willing to do all in their power to help the Empire in the time of need and to uphold the honor and dignity of their native land. For having done that they were worthy of our best thanks, and he was happy to meet Mr Campbell here tonight and to ask him to present the medals.
Mr Alex. Campbell, M.L.A., said that he was glad to be present to welcome back some of the men who had fought for the flag and helped to uphold the prestige of the Empire, their conduct in so doing had wiped away the aspersion that young Australia was very good indeed at cricket or upon horseback, but that they would be found wanting upon the battle field. The colonial soldiers had fought well – so well that the impartial testimony of the English offices bore witness that they had recognised in the colonials brothers in arms, and men who were worthy to stand shoulder to shoulder with English soldiers – who were the best in the world. …….
……. In making the presentations Mr Campbell said – “I congratulate our young men on the recognition which their services in South Africa are receiving from you tonight. They will value these mementoes for their beauty certainly, but chiefly they will value them for the givers’ sake. Probably in years to come their sons and daughters will treasure them up, and look upon these medals as a memento of a great deed performed on a great occasion in the history of the Empire. Trooper WHITE, we are glad to have you back once more; wear this medal in memory of a noble action, and may it prove an incentive to worthy deeds in your future life. Private SINCLAIR, you have changed in appearance since I first knew you; I wish you long life to wear this medal, in remembrance of kind friends who welcome you back. Trooper IRVINE, you have passed through danger and sickness; I welcome you to your native land; wear this in memory of dangers passed and duty done. I congratulate you all on being safe home”.
Trooper SINCLAIR said he could not find words to express his sense of the honor conferred on him, He had had a hard time out in South Africa but he did not regret that he went, and he would be quite ready to fight for the Empire anywhere, if occasion should arise.
Trooper WHITE said he was a bad speaker but he tendered his sincere thanks for kindness and honor conferred.
Trooper IRVINE expressed his thanks to the residents of Burrawang for the medal, which he would highly prize. He had done no more than his duty, and as a British subject he felt that he ought to do that. He thanked them for the kind words said on behalf of himself and comrades. …….
Burrawang Items.
Steps were taken to present two returned soldiers from South Africa with gold medals, and the function came off in the local School of Arts on Friday night last. The weather, as is usual lately, was damp, with showers at intervals; nevertheless, a fairly large company assembled to honor the men and welcome them to sunny Australia – or perhaps, from a weather point of view, I might say tearful Australia.
The medals were presented by the Rev. D.T. Smith, who prefaced the presentation with a short address on the usual lines.
The medals were similar to those given in the district to the other members of the contingents. The first was inscribed, “Presented by the residents of Burrawang, to Trooper J.W. Waters, D Squadron, 3rd Regiment, N.S.W. Mounted Rifles, on his return from South Africa”. The second medal was a facsimile of the first, with the exception that the name was Driver Ernest Wilson, Machine Gun Section, 3rd N.S.W. Mounted Rifles.
The two recipients briefly responded. Mr WATERS observed that he found himself more shaky in facing the audience than he was when in sight of the Boers, and that he would treasure the medal not only on account of the war, but also for the sake of the friends who gave it.
Mr WILSON said that he was greatly indebted to the residents of Burrawang for the welcome they had given him, the more especially as he was a stranger. Perhaps it was this fact that made him feel so nervous. He would keep the medal always in memory of his new friends, whom he thanked for their kindness.
