Medals and awards

RECEPTION AT DUNKKLD.

DUNKELD, Saturday.

A thoroughly representative gathering of the residents of Dunkeld and district took place in the mechanics' hall on Friday evening for the purpose of welcoming home the returned members of the Imperial Contingent — Sergeant C. PIKE, Corporal W. SHEEHAN and Troopers G. GWYTHER and A. GORDON. Notwithstanding the unfavourable change in the weather which occurred in the afternoon, resulting in the non-attendance of a number of those living at a distance who had signified their intention of taking part in the proceedings, the accommodation was taxed to its utmost extent. The hall was appropriately decorated with all the available flags, which gave It a pleasing appearance, a special object of attention being the motto, "Welcome home”, the work of Miss Esther Woodburn. The Mounted Rifles turned out almost to a man, and formed a double line up the body of the hall, along which the returned soldiers marched on to the platform, led by Sergeant PIKE. The appearance of “our boys” on the platform was the signal for enthusiastic rounds of applause.

Cr. Young, president of the Dundas Shire, occupied the chair, and on behalf of the residents tendered the soldiers a cordial welcome home. He expressed pleasure at their safe return, and also at the large gathering met to honour them. The past few months had been a history making era, “our boys” had done their duty magnificently, and one and all were justly proud of them. Three of them were natives of Dunkeld, and the other a resident for some time. He read apologies for the unavoidable absence of Sergeant-Major Baker, Mr J.A. Learmouth and Cr. MacLennan, Glen Thompson.

Cr. McQueen, in a vigorous speech, expressed gratification at seeing so many of the residents of the district following the example of all places throughout the State in welcoming their returned soldiers. They were sent away with a great flourish of trumpets, and amidst great enthusiasm, and now that they had returned with distinction it was right that they should have a fitting reception. Who deserved a more cordial welcome than the returned soldier, who went out with his life in his hands to fight for the empire? He strongly condemned the action of the Government in not making suitable provision for those who returned after risking their lives and limbs in the service of the country. The result of the war, although [illegible]ing and costly to Great Britain, was a splendid opening for Australians. Not so long ago a person who ventured the opinion that Australians would compare favourably with the trained soldiers of the empire would have been ridiculed. Even when the first contingent was sent away there were not wanting those who insinuated that they would not bring credit to their fathers. It had now been unmistakably demonstrated that they had distinguished themselves manfully and in a manner highly creditable to themselves and all concerned. None of them had shown the white feather or been wounded in the back. The South African war was a right and just war, and was carried on in a humane spirit. The simple fact that when Kruger went to Europe, he left his wife at the mercy of the British was incontestable evidence that the Boer leader was satisfied with their justice.

The Rev. W. Etliker thoroughly agreed with Mr. McQueen that the actions of those brave lads who had gone forth in the interests of the country and humanity should be sufficiently recognised. In connection with the South African war, it seemed to him that the events leading up to it showed evidences of divine direction. Had the war been prosecuted to a finish at the time of the Gladstone concessions Australia would have remained in the background. The occurrence of the events which had taken place was Australia's opportunity. Had England required assistance at the former period, neither Canada nor Australia was in the position to respond as they had done. The result was that the colonies had been brought prominently before the world, and foreign nations when dealing with British interests would recognise that they had to reckon with a federated Australia. All would join him in extending the right hand of fellowship and good will to those who had performed their duties so nobly and so well. When they went out it was said that they would simply be “hewers of wood and drawers of water". They were prepared to go even on that supposition, and all were aware of the result. Although the returned soldiers might not be particularly anxious to go through the hardships incidental to a campaign again, he was sure that if the necessity arose, they would do so to a man.

The chairman, in a felicitous and eulogistic speech, heartily punctuated by the applause of the audience, presented each of the soldiers with a handsome gold locket in the shape of a Maltese cross bearing the inscription, "Presented to _______ by the residents of Dunkeld and district for gallant service in South Africa".

The Rev. H. J. Ham ventured the opinion that the soldiers on the platform would prefer at that moment to be facing the Boer rifles rather than the representative gathering met before them there to express their appreciation of their conduct and self-devotion to the interests of the Empire. He assured the guests that their actions were closely followed, their victories causing intense excitement and their misfortunes equal sorrow. Sergeant PIKE left as plain Mr PIKE and came back with honours thick upon him. He had worked up step by step to the lop of the ladder. Out of the 600 comprised in the Imperial contingent six obtained stripes, and out of that six two were on the platform — a good percentage. He had not known Corporal SHEEHAN personally before, but on being informed that he was identical with a gentleman who once passed him (the speaker) on a bicycle going up the Gap hill he was convinced that he possessed grit and determination, which he proved afterwards in capturing a gun under heavy fire, for which he obtained his stripes. He also felt assured that the others had done their duty manfully.

In rising to respond Sergeant PIKE and his comrades received another ovation. Sergeant PIKE sincerely thanked those present for their gift and their kind expressions. The Rev. Mr Ham had said that he and his comrades would doubtless prefer to stand before the Boer guns than on that platform. He did not know whether that was quite correct or not. On the one hand they would not he so happy there as here, on the other he could assure Mr Ham that he would not be so nervous.

The other members replied in similar terms, all expressing their willingness to return to the battlefield should occasion demand their services.

At a subsequent stage Sergeant PIKE and Corporal SHEEHAN gave some interesting campaign reminiscences. …….