State: Victoria, Australia
Issued on: Return
Dates of presentations: 11/12/1900, 25/06/1901, 18/12/1901
Number issued: 4
11/12/1900 presentation
147 Private Kenneth FERGUSON
25/06/1901 presentation
126 Private Douglas Edwin WALLACE
18/12/1901 presentation
1223 Corporal William Francis WATT
RETURNED SOLDIERS.
Among the soldiers who returned home from the South African war in the Harlech Castle, under charge of Colonel Price were Lance-Sergeant CATON and Private K. FERGUSON, two of the three Coburg men, who, about eleven months ago were accepted for service at the front; Private WALLACE, the third volunteer, has not yet returned, but the Coburg people seized with avidity the opportunity on Tuesday evening last, to accord a stirring welcome home to those who have come back. The function took the form of a smoke concert, which was provided by Cr. A. Cherry, president of the shire. The attendance was perhaps the largest that has ever assembled in Coburg at any similar gathering, and included several distinguished visitors.
Cr. Cherry occupied the chair, and in his vicinity was seated Colonel Hoad, whose gallant and honorable services as an officer [are] well-known in the South Africa campaign, both in Australia and with the Imperial Army authorities. The majority of the members of the Coburg shire council were also present, as well as the Rev. J. Caton (Holy Trinity Church), father of Lance-Sergeant CATON, the Rev. Mr Matthews (Presbyterian), Mr Springhall (G P.O.) and other prominent citizens.
Mr Cherry, in opening the proceedings, said: When our three brave and gallant Coburg Boys, CATON, FERGUSON and WALLACE, left us for South Africa nearly a year ago we gave them a hearty send-off, feeling confident that they would do their duty to their Queen and the Empire which we are proud to belong, and that no action of theirs would bring discredit to us or the colony, and today we have the satisfaction of knowing that they have fulfilled all the expectations we had formed of them and have done their duty nobly and well. And as two of them have returned safely – having had the good fortune to survive the ordeal of the mauser bullets of the Boers, the almost equally dangerous effects of enteric fever, and other diseases, we could not do less than give them a hearty welcome. (Loud cheers).
The Rev. Mr Matthews, who was well received, gave the toast of "The Guests." It was scarcely twelve months since they had foregathered to bid farewell to some of their young friends who were then going off as volunteers to risk their lives for the honor of their native country and to fight for the integrity of the British Empire, in South Africa. (Cheers). At home they had followed the lads in their career with almost breathless attention and they had always been seen to bear themselves as had been expected of them, like men and worthy soldiers of the Empire. (Cheers). They had taken all risks of life and death, never shirked their duty and their safe return was the occasion of a deep and wide-spread feeling of joy, and of thankfulness for the kind providence which had preserved them through a deadly war. (Hear hear). If anything further were required to complete their qualification, it is to be found in the presence amongst them of Colonel Hoad. (Loud cheers). He thought it evidenced very great deference to them on Colonel Hoad's part to be present on such an occasion as the welcoming home of two of his young comrades – as he might call them – from the war. He was pleased and proud to propose the toast, and trusted that the occasion, and the services of their two soldiers, would not soon be forgotten and that the Government of the country would, where desirable, show proper and substantial gratitude to soldiers returning from the war. (Cheers). The toast was drunk with musical honors and cheers.
Lance-Corporal CATON, in response made a brief speech, and said he was not used to speaking. (A voice: But you can fight Alick! Laughter and cheers). He and is comrades had been in the dangers and privations of actual war and did their duty to the best of their ability. They had had a rough time of it, but if their country needed them they were ready to go again. (Loud cheers).
Private FERGUSON also received a great ovation. In South Africa they had no doubt a very rough time and he was very glad to get back. (Laughter and cheers). There was not the slightest doubt that if there was another call they would all be ready to go, but he would like to enjoy some of the blessings of peace for a little while and he hoped the new occasion would not come for some time. (Cheers).
Colonel Hoad gave a long and interesting speech. He described in graphic style the doings of our boys in Africa, and told many humorous incidents of the campaign. He told also how the British soldiers cheered to the echo when they witnessed the "transformation scene" of the Australian infantry into a troop of mounted men, and spoke of the lessons that had been taught the British army by the war. The Australians had had no picnic in Africa. They had had trying experiences, and he had seen them tramping and staggering along on weary marches singing "Why did I Leave my Little Back Room in Bloomsbury". But their hearts were all right, and they carried themselves boldly, and as true soldiers throughout the campaign. I heard one day an English Tommy conversing with another, he said. One asked the other what the war was about. The second replied; "I dunno, I think it about the franchise". At that moment a Boer shell burst not far off, and one of the Tommies said to the other: "I say Bill, let's give them the franchise". A man had just got behind a boulder when a shell whizzed past the spot from which [he] had shifted his leg. Instantly he asked: "How that?" His comrade remarked: "You were nearly out 'leg before' that time".
PRIVATE WALLACE'S RETURN.
RETURNED SOLDIERS.
Coburg Leader, 29th June 1901
A COBURG WARRIOR'S RETURN.
A representative gathering of Coburg citizens met at Logan's Commercial Hotel, Coburg on Tuesday evening, to welcome home Trooper WALLACE, of the Victorian Contingent, who returned from South Africa by the Tongariro. The President of the Shire Council (Cr. A. Cherry) occupied the chair, and there were also present Crs. McCrory and T. Greenwood, the Rev Caton and Messrs Springhall and W.S. Harper.
The Chairman said they would remember that two months ago two of their noble young fellows – Messrs CATON and FERGUSON – returned from South Africa and had a welcome in the Town Hall, amid great enthusiasm. Since then they had had Royal receptions, and now they were almost suffering a recovery. (Laughter.) Still they felt it a duty owing to their young friend to give him a hearty and suitable welcome. He had ventured the opinion when he left for South Africa that wherever he went he would be found doing his duty. He ventured to say that his prediction had proved correct, for he had not only done his duty nobly and well, but his services had also been recognised by the War authorities. (Applause) Their friend had not only been a credit to Coburg, and also to the State to which he belonged, but also to the historic and honoured name of WALLACE. (Applause). He had received an apology for non-attendance from Lieutenant-Colonel Reay.
The Chairman then gave the toast of "His Majesty the King", which was well received.
The Rev. Caton said he had had the honor of being asked to propose the chief toast of the evening – the health of their guest, Mr WALLACE. When he looked back some 18 months ago, and remembered the time when they met to give Mr WALLACE a send-off, he remembered that his own feelings were very sad, because it was a duty and not a pleasure; but that night it was duty and pleasure combined – duty to welcome Mr WALLACE, and pleasure in doing so by the fact that while in South Africa his services had not only been recognised by his chief, but he had thought it his duty to send his name to record it in the old country. They were very glad to have Mr WALLACE back again, because he was a young fellow who had won his spurs. It had been said that it was the uniform that made the soldier, but it was when he had gone through the mill and came back again that he became a hero. Duty, it had been said, was a debt they owed. Mr WALLACE had paid his debt to the Empire, and he was pleased that he had come back without a scratch and full of honour. He had to express his regret that so many of the Victorian boys had had to bite the dust recently. They ought to be thankful that so far the Coburg boys had escaped. He asked them to rise and drink the health of Mr WALLACE. (Applause.)
The toast was enthusiastically drunk.
The Chairman then rose and said he had a pleasing duty to perform – the privilege, as president of the Shire Council, of presenting to Mr WALLACE a gold medal, bearing the inscription – " Presented by the residents of Coburg to Mr Wallace on the occasion of his return from South Africa". He also had to present him with a pair of gold sleeve-links, also from the residents of Coburg, and he asked Mr WALLACE to accept these presents in the spirit in which they were given. (Loud applause.)
Trooper WALLACE, who was warmly received on rising, said that not being a public speaker he felt it a difficult matter to suitably reply on an occasion like that. (A voice – "Stand for the Council"). No, he had no intention of standing for the council. (Laughter). He thought he would rather go through again what he had gone through for the last two or three months than attempt to become a public speaker. (Laughter). He sincerely thanked the citizens of Coburg, the President, and the gentlemen present for their handsome gift. (Applause).
Ex-Councillor Arthur said that unfortunately for himself he had had lately to take a back seat in public politics. (Cries of "Try again"). No, they were not in Brunswick. (Laughter). He paid his rates and he had no intention of coming out at the Council election. Their worthy Chairman had done his duty admirably, and he wished to give him every credit for it. They also knew that he had taken a very active part in the return of Messrs CATON and FERGUSON, and also in the return of the guest of that evening, and that he had been instrumental in raising money. He knew what that meant, for he had tried himself to collect for that purpose, but he had found that the Duke of York was in front of him – (laughter) – and in that case he had again to admit that he had had to take a back seat. (Laughter). He asked them to drink the health of the President, and he hoped he would continue successful for the rest of his term of office. (Applause).
The toast was drunk with enthusiasm. The Chairman said Sir Arthur hat spoken in very complimentary terms, and he was not going to argue with him, but would let him have his own way on that occasion. He had to thank them for the hearty manner in which they had drunk his health, and he could assure them that he would endeavor to do his duty to the end of his term of office (Hear, hear).
Mr Grundy said Coburg had been largely represented in the war, and their men had done honour to the district. As one who had relatives in the war, he hoped all the Coburg boys would return safely. (Applause).
Cr. McCrory then, in eulogistic terms proposed "The Press". Mr J. Miller, on behalf of the proprietors of The Age and the Brunswick Medium, and Mr J. Cox, on behalf of the Argus and the Reformer, suitably responded.
COBURG.
