State: New South Wales, Australia
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 02/08/1901
Number issued: 1
Gold medal, suitably inscribed, to:
RETURNED TROOPS.
HUMULA, Wednesday.
HUMULA.
Tuesday, August 6.
HUMULA.
RECEPTION TO TROOPER FRED CLYDE.
On Friday night last about the largest number of ladies and gentlemen that has ever been gathered together in the Humula School of Arts met to congratulate Trooper Fred CLYDE, late of the Imperial Bushmen, on his return from South Africa. At the proposal of Mr G.W. Dean, of Mount Airy, a meeting had been called, from which a committee consisting of Messrs R.P. Tweedy, E. Rogers, G.W. Dean, S. and H. Benyon, and James Cheney, were chosen to carry out the reception, and it must be said that the result was a pronounced success in every way. The programme arranged was a banquet, to wind up with a dance, and to both functions ladies were invited. The large hall was densely packed, and the caterer, Mrs Jas. Cheney, was sorely taxed to find room at the table, three sittings eventually being arranged. The tables were placed in the form of three sides of a rectangle. Precisely at 7.30 p.m. Mr R.P. Tweedy took the chair, having on his right the guest of the evening.
After the toast of the King, which was received with musical honors, the Chairman called upon Mr J. Angel, J.P., of Humula Station, to propose that of “The Guest”, which he did in warm tones, commending the grit of the young soldiers who, out of a spirit of daring and adventure, upheld the prowess of the British Empire in the way Mackay's Bushmen did. Trooper Fred CLYDE had shed a little of his blood in the cause, and the great number of people gathered there spoke eloquently of the district's appreciation of the young soldier's deeds.
The toast was supported by Messrs C. Gibbs, A.A. Siebert, and T.M. Evans, and drank with great enthusiasm.
Mr Fred CLYDE responded feelingly amidst ringing cheers.
Mr R.S. Fawcett, hon. secretary of Humula Rugby Football Club, proposed the toast of “Sport”, and coupled with it the name of Trooper CLYDE, who is an athlete. Quoting the words of Wellington, he observed how true our battles are won on the fields of football and cricket. Mr Jas. Cheney, hon. secretary of the Cricket Club, supported it, and Mr A.J. Angel responded.
The last toast, that of the ladies, was proposed by Mr S. Benyon, and responded to by Mr J. McAulliffe (Glenroy).
Then the worthy chairman (Mr R.P. Tweedy) performed the pleasing function of presenting Trooper CLYDE with a very valuable and suitably inscribed gold medal, as a token of the good wishes of the soldier's many friends. The Chairman referred to the pluck that prompted the young soldier on his first trip to make such a journey. It was this kind of man who retained the strength and safety of Australia, and the hard, cool, daring bushman, supplied with rifle and horse, was a military power that bespoke great things. The Clyde family was one universally respected, and Fred was worthy of the name. He (the chairman) hoped the medal would serve to remind him of good friends and a great event in history, Trooper CLYDE with great feeling, ex-heartfelt thanks at the honor done him.
In replying to the vote of thanks to the committee, the Chairman highly praised the work of Mr Jas. Cheney, whose catering was exceptionally good, the tables presenting a very fine sight. The proceedings closed with the Notional Anthem.
