State: South Australia
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 24/01/1902
Number issued: 1
Medal, suitably inscribed, to:
5th West Australian (Mounted Infantry) Contingent –
193 Trooper Archibald P. BUCHAN
Presentation made by Mr D. MacPhee.
A gift from Trooper Buchan's "brothers and sisters".
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Mount Gambier Border Watch, 1st February 1902
A RETURNED SOLDIER. – A correspondent, writing from Comaum, Penola, on January 24, says – " At the invitation of Mr. and Mrs. Buchan, some 60 friends assembled for a welcome home to their son, Trooper A. P. BUCHAN, a returned soldier from South Africa. After tea, Mr. D. MacPhee was voted to the Chair. The Chairman remarked that they had already welcomed home from South Africa some of those who had gone to the front from this district, and now they had the pleasure of welcoming another soldier. Those who went to the war risked their lives in doing so. They were all proud to know that Trooper BUCHAN did not get behind a stump, and stay there; but that he had faced the foe under all manner of hard conditions. It gave them great pleasure to be there to give him a hearty welcome home to the bosom of his parents. He had much pleasure in presenting to him a small token of esteem from his brothers and sisters (a medal) suitably inscribed, and in presenting it he said it was the desire of all present that he should have good fortune and prosperity wherever he went. The trooper returned thanks for the good feeling shown him, and Mr A. Buchan feelingly thanked all present for coming to his son's welcome home. After hearty cheering the room was cleared and dancing, songs, recitations, &c., were indulged in until morning. A very pretty little piece was given by the school girls, which reflected much credit on Miss Ellison, their teacher".
