State: Victoria, Australia
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 20/12/1900
Number issued: 1
Gold medal, to:
Presentation made by Mr W.E. Lewis, in the Shire Hall, Heathcote.
Welcome Home to Trooper Butler.
AN ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING.
A complimentary smoke night to welcome home Trooper T. BUTLER, a member of the Victorian Bushmen's Contingent, who has been invalided home from South Africa was given on Thursday evening, the 20th inst., by a number of Heathcote residents, in the Shire Hall. A large number sat down to the tables, which were well stocked with refreshments, and bedecked with red white and blue colours, the hall also being decorated with flags, the Union Jack occupying a prominent position over the stage proscenium. Mr W.E. Lewis occupied the chair, and Trooper BUTLER occupied the chair on his right.
The proceedings were opened by the chairman proposing the toast of the "Queen", which was accompanied by the singing of the National Anthem.
Mr J. Revell, senr., proposed the toast of "the Pritish Army and Navy", and said that they ought all to be proud that they were Britishers. Their guest had been to the front and knew what British soldiers were. He asked them all to drink the toast to the bottom. (Cheers). The toast was drunk with enthusiasm, all joining in singing "Rule Britannia".
The chairman proposed the toast of "Our Guest", and said he was proud to occupy the chair that night. He would like to express what he felt, but he felt more than he was able to say. They should all feel proud that they had a man amongst them willing to shed his blood for his country. The natives of this country had shown through their soldiers that they had the same blood in their veins as those of the old country. The Australian soldiers had made a name for themselves, and the British Generals had said that they were equal to trained men. He looked upon Trooper BUTLER as a native of the district, as he had lived here nearly all his life. He had fought for his country and in doing so had fought for every one of us. (Cheers). Our cadet forces were a grand institution as they were destined to become our future soldiers. In concluding, he again stated that he wished he had the ability to express all he felt. (Loud cheers).
The toast was drunk amidst loud and continued cheering.
Trooper BUTLER, on rising to respond, was greeted with tremendous cheering. He thanked them for their very kind reception. He had simply volunteered to fight and had tried to do his duty. He had had the misfortune to be wounded in his first fight, and he was willing to go back. He had tried three times to get back but without avail. He briefly described his trip to South Africa, and stated that when they arrived at Beira they had to wait there 10 days. They were all anxious to go to the relief of Mafeking, but when they got to Marandellas they heard that Mafeking had been relieved. His regiment had met with their first fight at Komati River. They were surrounded by the Boers, who held the kopjes. Alter they had been under fire for about seven hours their commanding officer asked the Victorians if they were ready for a bayonet charge. They answered "yes". They and the Western Australians then charged the enemy, lying down every now and again and then making another charge, until they reached the top of the kopjes, when they saw the Boers in full retreat. He related an incident where a young girl (Miss Abbott), who knew the Boers were going to surround them jumped on her pony to endeavour to warn the Australians, but she was too late, as when she arrived the fight had commenced. The brave girl rode through the thickest of the rifle fire to the Australian commander and then rode back again, picking up a wounded Victorian on the way and conveying him to a house. She then rode to the camp and told the commanding officer where she had left him. The officer said, "you deserve a Victoria Cross", and the girl replied, "I don't want one, as my father has got one already". He (Trooper BUTLER), had seen the defences of Mafeking, which were simply a series of trenches. He had also seen Lord Roberts when he was in the convalescent camp at Pretoria. He again thanked them for their kind welcome. (Loud cheers).
The chairman then presented Trooper BUTLER with a handsome gold medal, and said that the value was small, but he hoped that he would put higher value on it than gold, and treasure it as long as life lasted, as a slight token of the esteem in which he was held by the residents of Heathcote.
Trooper BUTLER thanked them for their kind present, and said that he would treasure it to his dying day, and would always look on it as a reminder of the kindness of the people of Heathcote.
Mr Johnson, as an old friend of Trooper BUTLER's, testified to his genuine good character, and said he was proud to know such a man.
The following toasts were also proposed: – "Our Australian Soldiers", proposed by Mr J.A.C. Firth in a happy and neat speech; "The Press", proposed by Mr J. Nicholson and responded to by Mr F.G. Galbraith; "The Chairman", proposed by Trooper BUTLER and responded to by Mr W.E. Lewis. The toast of "Our Australian Dead Soldiers", was proposed by Mr Firth and drunk in silence. The toasts were interspersed with songs contributed by the following gentlemen: – Messrs R. Major, W. Strachan, C. Pryor, C. Chapman, T. Chapman. W. Homfray, A. Aitken, junr., and F.G, Galbraith.
