State: Victoria, Australia
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 24/08/1902
Number issued: 1
Gold locket, to:
WELCOME TO CAPTAIN HENNESSY.
A large muster of the members of the Glenrowan Rifle Club and their friends assembled at the Gordon-hall, Glenrowan, on Saturday 24th inst., to welcome Capt. HENNESSY, who has served in the 1st and 5th Contingents, and also in the Commonwealth Horse. The social took the form of a euchre party, interspersed with songs and recitations. Miss Williams sang in her usual excellent style, "The Soldier's Letter", while Mr Venter’s rendition of the very appropriate song, "Once again in dear Australia", was much applauded. Mr G. Robinson gave a humorous recitation which evoked considerable mirth, and the phonograph, at which Mr Oke presided, was a pleasing feature of the evening's enjoyment.
Addresses eulogising the guest of the evening were delivered by Messrs Oke, Gannel (Capt. of the local rifle club), and J.C.R. Sadler, the latter stating he could not let the opportunity pass without informing those present of the estimation Captain HENNESSY was held in by those who had served under him; that he had met some of the squadron at Wangaratta who averred their willingness to follow the captain's leadership from end to end of South Africa; that he had studied his men's safety, and had always exposed himself to the same risks and hardship as his men.
At the conclusion Mr Gannell, on behalf of the members of the rifle club, presented Capt. HENNESSY with a handsome gold locket as a slight token of the esteem in which he was held, and further stated that he could say without fear of contradiction that not only the club but the district at large were proud of him, which remarks were fully endorsed by Mr Oke.
Capt. HENNESSY, in responding, said he was at a loss to find words to thank them adequately for their many acts of kindness and appreciation of his services in the cause of the empire. It was now nearly three years since he left first as a corporal with the 1st Contingent, and during that time he had had some thrilling experiences. He was glad to be home again recognising familiar faces. That was not the first time he had had to thank his friends for their generous gifts to him, and which he would be proud to wear. He felt he had only done his duty and the men who served under him he found to be sterling good fellows. He concluded by thanking them again for their generous gift.
