State: Tasmania
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 10/12/1900
Number issued: 5
Gold Maltese crosses, to:
1st Tasmanian Mounted Infantry –
93 Private George BLYTH
48 Private Charles Oscar BLYTH
26 Private William Daniel BRANAGAN
25 Private Archibald [Archie] COOMBE
27 Private Angus R. GILLIES
Presentation made by the Warden (Dr Tofft), on a platform erected in front of the Campbell Town Post Office.
Inscribed with the recipient's name and "South Africa".
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Launceston Examiner, 4th December 1900
ARRANGEMENTS IN THE COUNTRY.
CAMPBELL TOWN, Saturday.
A public meeting was held in Lawson’s Hall to arrange a suitable reception for the local members of the Tasmanian contingent. The Warden (Dr Tofft) presided, and it was agreed that the men should be met at the railway station by the Campbell Town Band, members of the defence force, Warden and councillors, and civilians, and that a procession march to the Post Office, where an address be given. A triumphal arch is to be erected across William Street, and the townspeople are asked to decorate their houses with flags. The Campbell Town members of the contingent are each to receive a gold medal. In the evening another procession, is to be formed to parade the town. A committee was formed, consisting of Messrs Foster, Pitt, Gatenby, Hart, Power, Badcock, Lawson, E. Richardson, W. Lockett, F. Richardson, Gatty, and the Warden, to carry out the arrangements. A vote of thanks to Mr Lawson for lending his hall, and to the chairman, concluded the meeting.
Launceston Daily Telegraph, 12th December 1900
CAMPBELLTOWN.
This little township in its welcome to the five members of the contingent who have just returned has fully kept up its reputation for patriotism and loyalty. In response to an appeal made by a strong and representative committee, subscriptions poured in liberally, and with many willing hands to help, arches and strings of flags and flowers sprang up during Saturday and Monday with great rapidity. Proceedings commenced on Saturday with a great disappointment. Naturally concluding that the train bearing the troops through to Launceston would stop, if only for a minute, a crowd assembled at the railway station at a little before 11 a.m. hoping to be able to greet their returning comrades. To their great disgust the train rushed through without pausing, and few even caught a glimpse of the “boys”. The same happened at 10.30 p.m., when they again assembled to meet the returning special, but the third time at 1 a.m., they were not disappointed and in spite of the lateness of the hour a still larger crowd assembled, when cheers and shouts almost drowned the sound of the band, while the “boys” hands were almost shaken off. This, however, was only an informal welcome, the official welcome taking place on Monday, when at 3.30 p.m. the notes of a bugle called all together at the barracks, and the procession, led by Superintendent Colan on the evergreen “Mac” followed by the Campbelltown Band, members of the Defence Force under Lieutenant Pitt (unattached), the returned soldiers members of Oddfellow and Rechabite Lodges, bicyclists and civilians, marched to the post office, passing on the way under strings of flags and an arch, which was a most creditable production, stretching right across the road, most tastefully decorated with ferns and green boughs, and bearing on each side an inscription, “Welcome to our soldiers”. Mr Lawson's Hotel, opposite the post office, was also tastefully decorated with ropes of flags and an elegant inscription, “Welcome”, in large letters of red, white, and blue, on a khaki ground. Arrived at the post office the procession halted, and the returned soldiers, with a few of the leading residents, mounted a platform most elaborately decked with flowers and ribbons and bearing at the back a large picture of her Majesty, and in front, one of Lord Roberts. This was the work of some of the ladies of the town, who were not to be outdone by the men. Rev. T.M Dowell addressed the assembled crowd, and in a few well-chosen words asked them to welcome home their brave boys who had so well done their duty, and done honour to their country, also asking all to join in a verse of “Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow”, to which all heartily responded. Speeches followed from the Warden (Dr Tofft), Mr F. Hart, Mr John Taylor, Mr N. Newton, and Rev. C. Jones. The Warden then presented to each one of the returned soldiers a gold medal in the form of a Maltese cross, bearing a suitable inscription, and mentioned that these were a gift from their townspeople in recognition of bravery. Sergeant A. COOMBE responded for his comrades, and was understood to say that they were quite overwhelmed by their reception and the presentation made to them, that they would value the medals highly, and would be ready to do again as they have already done, should it be required of them. The Warden then called for cheers for her Majesty, Lord Roberts, and those who had come back to them. The procession then reformed and marched to the show grounds, passing many tastefully decorated buildings, and under more rows of flags, also under a handsome arch across the road opposite Mr T.W. Richardson’s, arrived at the show ground, a plentiful supply of all kinds of light eatables and tea was provided for all and sundry by a number of ladies. The band, meanwhile, played a number of selections. On reaching the show ground the company of Rifles before being dismissed to refresh the inner man fired a feu-de-joie. The weather throughout was perfect, and the whole proceedings went without a hitch. The last item on the programme was a display of fireworks on the recreation ground, the Rifle Corps and band again heading a procession, and marching through the town previous to the display. Special mention must be made of Mr W. Lockett, who designed the large triumphal arch, 46ft in the span, and Messrs G. Lockett, Geo. Hills, M. Wilson, and those others who assisted him in this really beautiful piece of work.
Hobart Mercury, 14th December 1900
CAMPBELL TOWN.
RETURN OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN CONTINGENT.
Long before daylight on the morning of the 10th inst. busy hands were at work erecting an arch across High Street, nearly opposite the post office, and by 1 o'clock it was completed, and presented a beautiful appearance. The verandah of the post office also presented a pretty picture, a platform having been erected and decorated by the ladies with greenery and flowers, with a large picture of Lord Roberts in the centre, and the motto "Welcome" above. The arch had on both sides, in large white letters on a scarlet ground, the words, "Welcome home to our soldiers".
At 3 o'clock the crowd, amongst whom were large numbers of visitors from the country, began to stroll down to the Old Brewery, where is situated the Defence Force drill room, and at 3.30 the procession started, headed by the Marshal, Mr Conlan, on "Old Mac".Then came the Campbell Town Band, the Warden, and Councillors, then our returned heroes, viz., George and Oscar BLYTH, Archie COOMBE, W. BRANAGAN, and Angus GILLES, looking fit for anything. After them came a strong muster of the Defence Force, commanded by Lieut. Foster. These were followed by the different local societies – Oddfellows, Rechabites, etc., with banners, and lastly a large body of cyclists with their bicycles gaily decorated with flags. From every house waved flags and banners of all descriptions, the humblest cottagers showing their loyalty to the best of their ability.
The procession marched up to the post office, where the heroes formed upon the platform, surrounded by the Warden and Councillors, the clergy, etc., the troops forming a semi-circle in front, and the crowd was addressed by the Rev. T. McDowall (Church of England), and the Doxology sung. The Warden followed, and Messrs Hart, Rev. Jones (Presbyterian), and Councillors John Taylor and Norman Nicolson. The Warden then presented each member of the contingent with a handsome gold medal in the shape of a Maltese Cross, whereon was engraved his name and "South Africa".
Thanks having been returned by Mr Archie COOMBE on behalf of his comrades, the procession reformed, and marched up to the show ground, passing another pretty arch in Church Street. At the show ground refreshments were provided by the ladies, and games indulged in, the band playing selections. The evening was finished by a beautiful display of fireworks, under the management of Mr E. Richardson.
