State: New South Wales, Australia
Issued on: Return
Dates of presentations: 17/05/1901, 26/07/1901
Number issued: 4
17/05/1901 presentation
118 Lance-Corporal Osman Frederick Hume MIDDLETON
1088 Trooper Ernest Arthur PRIOR
26/07/1901 presentation
233 Sergeant Walter HUON
992 Trooper Charles Robert HARDING (absent - medal handed to his father)
Presentation made by the Mayor (Mr Stevenson), in the Mechanics' Institute, Burrowa.
Reverse: "PRESENTED TO TROOPER E.A. PRIOR / BY HIS / BURROWA / FRIENDS / 17 May 1901".
Trooper Prior example sold through Noble Numismatics, 26/03/2015
Smoke Concert at Burrowa.
RETURNED FROM SOUTH AFRICA.
COMPLIMENTARY SMOKE CONCERT.
A complimentary smoke concert was tendered in the Mechanics’ Institute, Burrowa, on Friday evening last, to Sergeant Walter HUON and Trooper Charles HARDING., who recently returned from South Africa. There were about 70 persons present. The hall was decorated with numerous flags. The Mayor (Mr I. Stevenson, J.P.) presided, having on his right Sergeant HUON, and on his left Mr W. Harding (who was present on behalf of his son, Trooper C. HARDING, who arrived at Sydney by the Orient, but who was unable to be in Burrowa in time for the entertainment). …….
……. The Chairman said he need scarcely state that the present occasion was a most pleasing one. They were present that evening to welcome back friends from the war, and he had much pleasure in occupying the chair. …….
……. The Chairman then proposed the toast “Our Guests”, coupled with the names of Troopers HARDING and CAIN. He said these young men had left comfortable homes, to go and help to fight the battles of England. It was rather a difficult thing to leave their friends, but they did so, and went out voluntarily to the war to fight as true soldiers. (Applause). They underwent many hardships, and had to meet a dangerous enemy. The Australian troops had covered their country with glory. Every despatch received from the war contained praise from the generals for the brave and daring deeds of the colonials. They had not only fought well, but they had also conducted themselves in an honorable manner, which brought expressions of admiration from all parts of the British Empire. (Applause). …….
……. Before the health of the guests was drunk, the Chairman presented Sergeant HUON with a gold medal, suitably inscribed, as a small token of the appreciation of his Burrowa friends for his heroism and pluck. He also handed a similar souvenir to Mr Harding, to be given to his son, Trooper HARDING, on his arrival. He said Mr Harding must be proud of his son.
Sergeant HUON (who was greeted with loud and prolonged applause), said no words could express his gratitude for the grand reception accorded him. He was sincerely thankful to them for the efforts made on his behalf. Whatever the hardship he had endured in South Africa, he felt quite repaid for it by the hearty welcome extended, and the knowledge that he had done his duty as a Briton. (Applause). He was very grateful for the handsome medal presented to him, and he would keep it as a memento, not only of the war, but it would also remind him of his many friends and well-wishers around Burrowa. (Applause).
Mr Harding (on behalf of his son) returned thanks for the medal presented. He would have liked very much for his son to have been present that evening, but when he returned to Burrowa the medal would be given to him with all their compliments. …….
