State: New South Wales, Australia
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 05/09/1901
Number issued: 1
Gold chain & pendant, to:
1029 Private Frederick Blackham WILLIAMS
Presentation made by the Mayor, in All Saints' Schoolroom, Easgrove, Goulburn.
Pendant supplied by Mr J. Baxter, Goulburn.
SOCIAL AND PRESENTATION AT EASTGROVE.
A social gathering was held in All Saints' Schoolroom, Eastgrove, last evening, when Trooper F. WILLIAMS, who returned from South Africa about three weeks ago, was presented with a curbed gold chain and pendant. There was a large attendance, Mr E. Rogers being in the chair. The hall presented a gay appearance, being appropriately decorated with flags kindly lent by the borough council. The gold pendant was supplied by Mr J. Baxter of this city and was of appropriate design.
The Chairman explained that the gathering had two objects — firstly to show their appreciation of the fidelity of a resident who had played a prominent part in South Africa, and secondly to recognise his liberal and open heartedness to his widowed mother. He then asked the Mayor to make the presentation.
The Mayor said if England had not taken up the war when she did she would probably have lost her hold on the country. What was wanted was equal rights for those who had developed that land. The Australian troops had fulfilled the anticipations of their fellow-countrymen by upholding the prestige of the British crown and showing to the world at large that Britons were one people with one destiny, which in the first was the preaching of the gospel to all nations, the establishment and upholding of just and righteous government, equal rights to all men, free thought, and freedom of speech. He was proud of Trooper WILLIAMS, and had much pleasure in making the presentation.
Captain McShane (E Company), of which Trooper WILLIAMS was a member, Sergeant Bushell, Lieutenant McConnell and Alderman Mitchell added their congratulations and spoke in high terms of the guest.
Trooper WILLIAMS thanked them deeply for their handsome gift. He felt greatly honoured by being a member of the Australian contingent, but he felt more honoured by the hearty reception given to him that evening.
