State: New South Wales, Australia
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 18/06/1902
Number issued: 5
Medals, to:
1663 Trooper Alfred Joshua BUDD
1261 Trooper Charles Francis CRESWICK
Lake Cudgellico
(FROM OUR OWN COREESPONDENT.)
Wednesday last was a great day in Cudgellico, being the occasion of the return of Troopers A.J. BUDD and W.J. BARNES from the seat of war in South Africa. Ever since it became known that they were to arrive preparations had been made to give them a good reception. On Wednesday morning flags were hoisted from nearly all the house-tops in town. A line containing flags of all nations was hung across the main street from Mrs G.J. Knight's store to Mr J. Blacker's saddlers shop. In the afternoon a great crowd of people assembled in buggies, etc, in the main street, and at; 2 o’clock a start was made to go out to meet and escort the Troopers to town. A halt was made at the Pour Mile Gate to await their arrival, and after waiting for about 10 minutes the coach containing the Troopers appeared in sight and three ringing cheers were given, after which a start was made for home, arriving at our destination at 4.30 p.m. A large crowd of people were congregated in the main street in front of the post office, at which place a halt was made. The school children were also assembled at this point, and, under the superintendence of the teacher, they sang “Soldiers of the King”, “Hail Australia”, and “God Save the King”. After which cheers were given for the returned heroes. The procession then continued on to the Royal Mail Hotel. The Welcome Social, held at night in Knight's Hall, was a great success, about 70 couples being present. The hall was prettily decorated with bunting evergreens, etc., and presented a picturesque appearance. The floor was in good dancing order. Dancing commenced at 9 o'clock to music supplied, in first class order, by the following ladies and gentlemen – Mrs Thos. Saville, Misses Young, Buckley and Bradstreet (piano), and Mr J. Ilsley (accordeon), while Messrs Lowrie and Niven undertook the duties of M's.C. to the satisfaction of all. At midnight, Mr Knight, on behalf of the residents, presented the Troopers with medals suitably inscribed, and welcomed them back to Cudgellico. Troopers CRESWICK and WILLIAMS (who it will be remembered were welcomed back about 10 months ago) were also presented with similar medals. One was also to have been presented to Trooper EDGAR, but he was unfortunately away from the district just at present.
