Country: New Zealand
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 12/12/1902
Number issued: 1
HAVELOCK NEWS.
Sergeant George COLEMAN, of the Seventh Contingent, incapacitated by lightning stroke whilst on patrol duty In the Transvaal, was tendered a complementary social and presented with a gold commemorative medal at the Theatre Royal, Cullensville, on Friday evening last. Sergeant COLEMAN, who is still incapacitated, and a patient of the Picton Hospital, was present daring a portion of the evening, and the effect of the accident is still painfully evident, the use of the right side being only partial. There is, however, possibility of the leg recovering its powers, but the arm, it is feared, is ruined and beyond the reach of medicine or surgery.
Mr John Duncan, in presenting the medal, referred to the effect the patriotic action of the colonies would have by the assistance given to the Old Country in the late war, a war which had brought forward such heroic qualities on the part of British sons, and which had flung back the taunt that the race was decadent. He was glad to see so many there that evening, and, on their behalf he wished Sergt. COLEMAN a speedy and permanent recovery, and a long life to wear the token that it was then his pleasant duty to present.
Mr A.T. Cavell expressed the pleasure it afforded him to be present that evening. From the results of the late war we were able to realise that we have men willing and able to defend our colony against the attack of foreign nations; and any expense incurred in training such citizen soldiers was simply a premium of insurance against such attack. We had now the satisfaction of knowing that we had men able to defend the colony — men who were not only "chips of the old block", but in many cases better. For the relatives of those who had gone to the war, never to return, the deepest sympathy was felt for them in their anguish, caused by the stress of warfare, but it was in the highest degree gratifying to feel that our troopers, one and all, had reflected nothing but honor and glory upon the country they represented.
Sergeant COLEMAN, having thanked them for their kindness said that although the doctors had told him he had no chance of a permanent recovery he still hoped to regain his strength, and to be again able to serve his country should necessity call for volunteers.
At a later stage of the evening Sergeant COLEMAN was presented by the Committee with a "chamois", containing five sovereigns, the net proceeds of the social.
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