State: New South Wales, Australia
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 00/11/1902
Number issued: 3
Gold medals, to:
New South Wales Imperial Bushmen –
156 Private Donald Cameron KENNEDY
1st Bn. Australian Commonwealth Horse (New South Wales Contingent) –
188 Trooper Robert Hastings NOAKES
3rd New South Wales Mounted Rifles –
2110 Trooper William Arthur NOAKES
During a ball at Ellenborough, the residence of the Noakes brothers, "a suggestion was thrown out by one of the speakers at the banquet, in which I am happy to say action is being taken. The suggestion was that a subscription be canvassed for the purpose of presenting a gold medal to each of the two troopers, who had not already received that tangible proof of the esteem their conduct had evoked in the minds of their friends".
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Port Macquarie News, 15th November 1902
Ellenborough.
WELCOME TO RETURNED SOLDIERS – TROOPERS W. & R. NOAKES AND D. KENNEDY.
……. Mr R.A. Ayres ……. He would suggest – and he hoped the company present, and in fact the whole district, would act on the suggestion – that a subscription be set on foot to defray the cost of a gold medal to each of their returned soldiers. …….
……. He concluded a lengthy speech by asserting his willingness to assist in raising funds for the medals above mentioned. (Great applause).
Manning River Times, 15th November 1902
Ellenborough.
Nov. 10.
BANQUET AND BALL.
A welcome home was tended on the 8th instant to Troopers Wm. and Robt. NOAKES, and Donald KENNEDY, to celebrate their return in safety from the late war in South Africa. The welcome took the form of a banquet, followed by a ball: and about a hundred ladies and gentlemen met at Ellenborough, the residence of the Troopers NOAKES, to greet the young warriors. The celebration had been delayed owing to the detention in the hospital of R. NOAKES, who was one of the sufferers on that steamer of evil repute — the Drayton Grange.
The whole affair was a huge success, and reflects great credit on the Committee appointed to organise it and to carry it to a successful issue. The chairman, Mr James Lyon, J.P., first proposed the toast of His Majesty the King, coupled with prosperity to the British Empire; this toast, needless to say, met with unquailed support. The same gentleman then in a few appropriate words introduced the guests of the evening, who were received with uproarious cheering. After the troopers had returned thanks, other toasts were proposed and honoured, and the banquet, like all good things, came to a close.
The ball was subsequently commenced, and dancing was prosecuted with much vigour until the sun disturbed the revels. A suggestion was thrown out by one of the speakers at the banquet, in which I am happy to say action is being taken. The suggestion was that a subscription be canvassed for the purpose of presenting a gold medal to each of the two troopers, who had not already received that tangible proof of the esteem their conduct had evoked in the minds of their friends.
