State: Victoria, Australia
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 31/07/1901
Number issued: 2
Gold star medals, to:
WELCOME HOME AT GORMANDALE.
Presentation of Souvenirs.
The quiet little sequestered spot known as Gormandale was in an unusual flutter of excitement on Wednesday last, when the return home from South Africa of Troopers HORSLEY and DAVIS, of the Australian Imperial Regiment was made the occasion for quite a loyal and affectionate demonstration. The scene of the festivities was the Mechanics’ Institute, which was gaily decorated with bunting in keeping with the national character of the rejoicings. Here a light repast of confectionery, &c, was laid by Mr Gilbert, of Traralgon, and gave general satisfaction. The chair was very efficiently occupied by Mr R.G. Timbs, who was supported by the guests of the evening, also their comrades Troopers ROW (Traralgon), J. DRANE (Loy Yang) and McRAE (Willung), supplemented by the Rev. R. Elliott (Traralgon) and Mr J. Gilsenan (secretary of the movement).
The usual loyal toast of "The King" having been honoured with the National Anthem, the Chairman proposed the toast of "Our Guests". It gave him great pleasure to do so, because he realised the importance of the occasion that had caused them to go to South Africa. First, because of the empire in which we lived, and secondly on account of Australia itself. (Applause). They need not deal with the cause of the war, whether it was right or wrong, but if it had been postponed later, Great Britain would have had a very much harder task than she has now, which was hard enough. During this war, Australia had blossomed into a nation, and the colonies combined had shown to the world that the empire is stronger than some people thought, and that Australia had to be reckoned with in future. (Applause). He did not wish to hold up our soldiers as generals and colonels — some people said we had already too many of them — but when they went to South Africa they did their bit. They did their best, they had shown that they were not afraid of shot and shell, and no doubt they had profited by what they bad seen on the field. (Applause). On behalf of the residents of Gormandale, he then presented Troopers HORSLEY and DAVIS with two handsome gold star medals, as some token of the respect and esteem on their return from South Africa. (Tumultuous applause).
The Rev. R. Elliott (who was present by special invitation) supported the toast in an eloquent speech, illumined by flashes of humour and bursts of patriotism. He was glad to see their local soldiers back from the war. When the Australians started they regarded them as valiant fellows, because they were volunteers, who of their own free will offered their services for the benefit of their own country. (Applause). Those services were accepted, and when they parted with them none were certain that they would ever see them again. They knew from what the papers had reported, that their soldiers had nobly distinguished themselves, they had gone through many dangers and much hardship, but by God's goodness we saw them back again. (Applause). In the olden times, when the citizen soldiers went forth and achieved their best for their country's cause, they were, welcomed back by enthusiastic crowds, monarchs bestowed upon them the tokens of victory, and they were looked upon as the saviours of their country. If ancients did that, how much more should we, who had the advantage of centuries of civilisation, honour the men who from a sense of duty had served their country? They would welcome them back in the best way they could, and show their returned soldiers that they appreciated their self-surrender and patriotism. (Applause). If Britain had not gone to war, they would have lost their prestige, not only amongst the natives of South Africa, but the Anglophobes of Europe would have laughed up their sleeves, so that he said without fear of contradiction, that Great Britain was forced to take up arms in vindication of her honour. (Applause). And when these States saw the motherland pressed, were they, who had received so much from her in every sense, to stand aloof and not help her in return? No, and at the very first sign of call, Australia was to the front. And the result was that foreign nations now knew that when they meddled with the old country they had also to reckon with the Australian boys. (Applause). When their country and duty called them, they will arise in all the spirit of their manhood, and if needs be go forward to victory or death. (Loud applause). The rev. gentleman continued at further length, and resumed his seat amidst applause.
After the toast had been drunk with musical honours, a song was contributed by Mr McFarlane.
Troopers HORSLEY and DAVIS on rising to respond received enthusiastic ovations. They thanked the company very much for the kind manner in which they had received the toast, and for the handsome medals presented to them. They were glad to be back amongst their old friends, and would be ready again if ever they were wanted. (Applause).
Mr R. Horsley, J.P., proposed "The Returned Soldiers, their visitors", which he was sure would be done full justice to. No doubt most of them would recall the fact that it was only a short time ago when a section of the public ridiculed the idea of their troops going to South Africa to fight with the imperials. But he was pleased and proud to say that their boys had showed the whole world not only that they were able to defend their own homes, but they were willing to go to a foreign country and fight shoulder to shoulder with the British troops for justice and liberty. (Applause). They had also done more — they had welded more closely together Australia and the Motherland, and had shown foreign powers that if they had the temerity to assault the old flag, they would also have Australians to reckon with. (Loud Applause).
Mr P. Green congratulated the returned soldiers on being part of a body of men who had formed the backbone of the British army. Perhaps in a continental war they would not have stood out so well in comparison with the British soldier, but in South Africa they proved exactly the men for the job, and they did their special work well. (Applause). Another grand feather in their cap was that they went voluntarily, which made their services all the more honourable. They made up their minds to go out and fight for the freedom of the Uitlander and against the injustices they had suffered, and but for which there would have been no war. Their soldiers went to the rescue, they were now glad to see them back again safe and sound, and they had reason to thank them for their services, which as a people they would not soon forget. (Applause).
The toast was then drunk with hearty musical honours.
Trooper McRAE first returned thanks, and said the warmth of their reception compensated them very much for what they had gone through in South Africa, though he thought they were receiving more honour than they deserved. (No, no). They had only done their duty, and though they might sometimes have done a little more than the regular soldiers. Tommy Atkins set them the example, and when he did his best he did a lot. (Applause). They were used to their horses, and the regulars were not, and their bush training just came in as the right thing, at the right moment, and they were all pleased that they had been able to be of some service. (Loud applause).
Trooper H. ROW said he was greatly pleased to see the way in which they had been received as returned troopers. Before they went some people seemed impressed with the idea that the war would be over before they got there, but it was not over now, and there was a lot of work to do yet. Some people also said that the last contingent was only the scum of the earth, but on their return the other day, Colonel Kelly said that they had gone through 60 engagements, and not one man had surrendered, so that they had no reason to be ashamed of what they did. (Applause).
Trooper J. DRANE also returned thanks for the handsome way in which they had been received.
Mr W. Power then proposed "The Parents of the Returned Soldiers", and thought it ought to be honoured two or three times. The parents had their battles to fight in the anxiety they felt about their loved ones on the battlefield, but at the same time they were proud their sons were there striking a blow for the old flag. (Applause). They had always been a peaceful nation up to the present, and this was the first time they had sent men to war, but they had shown they were ready when the need arose, they were proud of what their boys had done, and were now glad to welcome them back again. (Applause and musical honours).
Mr Davis, senr., returned thanks on behalf of himself and wife for the warm welcome they had given their lads and the returned soldiers in general. (Applause).
The Chairman next proposed "The Defence Forces of the Commonwealth" in an able speech. We did not want to fight, he said, but if we were wanted we had shown that we had got the right material, and that Australians only wanted putting into shape, and they would do their work well. (Applause). We did not want a standing army, but good training as shots, and be eulogised the rifle clubs as being exactly the arm of service required for the purpose. (Applause).
Mr G. Hare supported the toast in neat terms, and pointed out that in the first year of the infancy of the Commonwealth they had been enabled to send soldiers to the field. They had done credit to Australia, and had shown that when they got into a tight corner they were always able to find a way out again. The eyes of the whole world had been upon the army in this war, and every nation had paid their meed of praise to the Australian loyalty and pluck. (Loud applause).
Mr Moorfield heartily endorsed the sentiment of the previous speaker, and declared the rifle clubs to be a splendid scheme for qualifying our young men as members of the defence force. In strength and preparedness our safety lay, and the best way to preserve peace was to be prepared for war, especially when the eyes of other nations were fixed so jealously on the prowess and extent of the British empire. He added his commendation of the returned soldiers, of whom he was proud in every way, and concluded amid applause by reading a poem he had dedicated to them, and which appears at the head of our report.
Mr T. Farmer said that all the young fellows that went abroad had hardships to go through of every possible kind and form, and when they came to think of the anxiety of their parents at home, they deserved a great amount of sympathy. They could only imagine what must have been the fear of hearing that their sons or brothers had been shot down thousands of miles from home, without a chance of their being near to help them. He then gave "Our Comrades Abroad", their fathers and mothers, sisters and brother, and sweethearts. (Applause and musical honours).
Mr T.A. Pettit was next called upon to give "Our Fallen Comrades", and in doing so said it could not be regarded as a toast of a convivial nature, but one which called for tears rather than cheers. They were however cheered by the knowledge that the comrades for whom they mourned had died as heroes. (Applause). They had borne themselves as true sons of whom they were justly proud — they had nobly faced death by shot and disease, and now their bodies were sleeping on a foreign shore they thought of the vacant chairs in their Australian homes, and their hearts went out in sympathy to their relatives. He spoke of hospital scenes and such heroism as displayed in battle by the gallant Major Eddy, who died with the cry "Advance Australians". All honour to the brave! (The toast was honoured in solemn silence).
Mr Macfarlane then sang very appropriately "Just as the sun went down".
Mr Gilsman proposed "The Visitors", which was respond d to by Messrs Pentland, Elliot, Bruce, Mayze, and Marsh.
The Press, by Mr O’Connor, and the Chairman, by Mr Crossley, were toasted, when the National Anthem brought the function to a most successful close.
ROSEDALE.
