State: Victoria, Australia
Issued on: Departure and Return
Dates of presentations: 08/02/1901, 17/08/1901
Number issued: 3
08/02/1901 presentation (departure)
847 Private Joseph HADDOCK
17/08/1901 presentation (return)
94 Private Laurence Joseph O'REILLY
Farewell to Our Battery Boys.
One of the most pleasant evenings ever spent in Hastings took place on Friday evening last when the residents and people from the surrounding districts met in the hall to say “good-bye” to Lieutenant O'REILLY (officer commanding Hastings Battery) and Privates HADDOCK and CAREY, all of whom are leaving for South Africa with the Fifth Contingent. The building was nicely decorated for the occasion with flags and evergreens, whilst on the stage in red letters worked on white were the words “God speed our I boys”. Almost all the men of the Hastings Battery appeared in uniform, and were placed in seats reserved for them. All of the other available sitting room was occupied, the hall being packed. Amongst the visitors were Crs Unthank (President), Ritchie, Thornell and Perott, of Frankston and Hastings Shire, Captain Peddle, and Lieutenants Robertson and Smith (the two latter being officers in the contingent at Langwarrin).
Shortly after 8 o'clock President Unthank took the chair and in a few words opened the evening, calling upon Master H. Peddle to play the Grand Military Divertimento, which he did with great success. Mr C.A. Jones then sang “The Shamrock”, and Mr P. Buckley “Island of Dreams”, both being loudly applauded. Mr Carmody followed with a recitation which was very much appreciated.
The Chairman said he now had a very pleasant duty to perform. They had met to say good-bye to one of their residents, Lieutenant O'REILLY, known also as Cr O'Reilly and as Tom O'Reilly. With regard to him as a councillor, he was the second one that had left Hastings to fight for the empire. He would state and his fellow councillors would bear him out, that the manner in which Cr O'REILLY had acquitted himself at the council table was “first-class”; that was the near-word he could get to represent Cr O'REILLY's actions there, and had circumstances allowed, he would have been of great service to the East Riding, and to the people of Hastings. (Applause). He had known him for a considerable time and knew nothing bad, but a great deal good of him. He would say unhesitatingly that the people regretted losing him, but, as they could not prevent him going, they had decided to send him off in as hearty a manner as was possible, and he felt that he would acquit himself most creditably when called upon to perform any duties devolving on his rank, and he was entitled to their consideration. (Applause). The words of one of the songs that evening, fitted into the occasion, “No coward has been found where the Shamrock grows”, and he thought Lieutenant O'REILLY would uphold the honour of the Irishmen. So far they had always been there when wanting. (Applause). They must not forget Captain HAM, who was at the front also. (Land applause). When the war came to be written up it would be found that our contingents formed no small part in it. (Applause).
Cr Perrott (who was greeted with cheers), said he was pleased to be present at such a gathering to say goodbye to a brother-councillor and native townsman, and it must be pleasing for Lieutenant O'REILLY to be receiving such a hearty send-off, and he hoped they would be able to give him as happy a welcome home. He had been a straightforward citizen, always ready to assist in anything for the promotion of the town, and as a councillor was a credit to the ratepayers who elected him. (Applause). He trusted he would have a safe return. (Applause). As to the other two young men going, Privates CAREY and HADDOCK (Cheers and applause) they were as good as could be found in the colony, and they possessed courage, and they should all be proud of them, for they were leaving home, and a good country to rough it and come in contact with danger. (Applause). He did not think they would shirk their duty, and advised them to be sober and straightforward in every transaction; they would then go through alright and be esteemed. He wished them good lock and a speedy return. (Applause).
The chairman asked the meeting to excuse his having omitted mentioning Privates CAREY and HADDOCK's names as he did not know they were going until he had finished his speech, and it would be a great pity to omit them because they did not possess rank. They were all going on the one errand. (Applause). He had also to apologise for the absence of Crs Box and Woodhouse, who were unable to be present.
Cr Thornell reiterated the remarks of the previous speakers, hoped they would do their duty as the others before them had done, and wished them God speed and a safe return. (Hear, hear).
Cr Ritchie said he was most happy to be present. He had known him for a number of years as a straightforward young man, and he had (since going into camp) become one of the most popular officers there, not only with the officers, but also with the men. (Applause). As a councillor he could substantiate what the other speakers had said. Cr O'REILLY had done his duty without fear or favour, and from what he knew of him he would do the same in South Africa. He wished the three of them God speed. (Applause).
Mr Carmody also spoke of the good qualities of the three men going away and was loudly applauded.
The chairman then presented Lieutenant O'REILLY with a beautiful illuminated address, the ornamentation of which was very appropriate, having a fishing smack on one corner, representing the fishing trade; a 40-pounder, representing Hastings Battery, a cricket set and rifle, representing sport; a group of tents, representing Langwarrin camp; a purple shield, mourning for the loss of the Queen; and the rotunda where the Governor-General was received, representing the Commonwealth. The inscription read: – “Presented to T.S.L. O’Reilly by the citizens of Hastings and district on the occasion of his departure for South Africa to engage in active service for the defence of our Empire as senior lieutenant to the Fifth Contingent, in recognition of his untiring zeal and energy in promoting at all times the welfare of our town, both as a councillor and private citizen, also a token of their admiration of the patriotic loyalty and devotion which prompts him to leave home, kindred, and friends at the call of his country to take up arms for the liberty and honour of the British flag, and further, to wish him God speed, a successful mission, and safe return to his Australian home in our midst. (Signed) J.D. HODGINS, hon secretary”. In making the presentation, the chairman trusted it would not be looked upon for its intrinsic value, but that it would he received with the spirit in which it was given.
Lieutenant O'REILLY on rising to respond, was greeted with cheers. He said it was indeed a great pleasure to accept the presentation. This would always be remembered by him as one of the most pleasant evenings he had spent. It was far more than he ever expected of the people of Hastings, as he never thought to become the recipient of such a handsome present. He had always done his best to help the town along. In receiving the Battery from Captain HAM, his greatest ambition had been to hand it back in as good a position as when that officer left. Not one member had been lost so far. As regarded his council career, the other councillors had made his task easy. He was glad in a way he was going, because he wished to see war and to visit South Africa. There was one part he did not like, that was saying good-bye to friends. A deal more credit, however, was due to Privates HADDOCK and CAREY, because they were going on a less rate of pay, their food was not so good, and they would have more roughing. They should look upon these two and the others who had gone before them with the greatest respect, their names should live in their memory at all times, and he would ask them to remember them in their prayers. He hoped they were saying good-bye to come back again, and they would endeavour to keep up the credit of the colony. (Applause). He again heartily thanked them for their presentation, which he would always treasure. (Applause).
The chairman then presented Private HADDOCK with a gold locket from the residents, which he trusted he would “live long to wear honourably”. (Applause).
Private HADDOCK returned thanks for the locket, and hoped to return to wear it in Hastings. Those going with the Fifth Contingent would act as creditably as those gone before them. (Lond Applause).
Regret was expressed for the absence of Private CAREY, who was unable to leave camp.
Speeches were also delivered by Mr Mark Brody, on behalf of the residents of Frankston; Captain Peddle, on behalf of the visiting officers and the Hastings Battery; and Lieutenant Smith (a returned soldier), but pressure of space forbids us publishing them. The following songs were also well rendered: – “There's something in the English after All”, Rev P.J. Edwards; this gentleman was loudly applauded for bringing the Irish and Australians into his song, and neatly concluding with the battery; “A Gay Tom Tit”, Mr Mason; “Why must we say Goodbye”, Miss E. Davis; “Alice Where Art Thou”, Mr P. Buckley. Mrs Hodgins and Miss Davis played the accompaniments. A vote of thanks to the chairman and the singing of God Save the King brought this part of the programme to a close.
Refreshments were then provided by the wives of the committee (Meadames Perrott, Hodgins, Whitehead, Sheehey, Incigneri. Stockton and Haddock showing out prominently in this department) and after all had partaken of them, the hall was cleared and dancing indulged in until about 2.30, when the company dispersed.
A very pleasant evening was spent on Saturday evening at Westernport Hotel when Mr L. O'REILLY was presented with a gold medal of unique design to commemorate his return from South Africa. Councillor G. Perrott occupied the chair, and in presenting the medal on behalf of the citizens of Hastings remarked that the signal service of the Australian soldiers in South Africa deserves the highest recognition of the Australian people, and be felt extreme pleasure in presenting this medal to Trooper O'REILLY as complimentary to the feelings that prompted its presentation. As Mr O'REILLY purposed to immediately return to the theatre of his recent actions he wished to convey to him the general desire of the people of Hastings that he would again return in safety. He most sincerely wished him God-speed.
Mr O'REILLY responded briefly, and expressed himself as highly gratified that his actions and conduct in South Africa met with such manifest approval as evidenced in the residents of Hastings making him such a handsome present. He hoped that the reminiscences of the esteemed friends he was leaving behind would actuate him to worthily fill whatever post to which his duty called him. Music, songs, and recitations were rendered throughout the evening by volunteers from those present, and Mrs Drew came in for special appreciation for the notable manner in which she acted as pianist.
