State: Queensland, Australia
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 08/09/1900
Number issued: 2
Gold medals [silver pendants?], suitably inscribed, to:
Subscribed for by fellow members of "C" (Ipswich) Company, Queensland Mounted Infantry.
WELCOME-HOME SOCIAL.
PRIVATES M.D. BRADY AND M. EGAN.
AN ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING.
Privates M.D. BRADY, of Brassall, and M. EGAN. of Riverview, two members of the first Queensland contingent who have returned from South Africa, were accorded a welcome-home social, in the Building Society's Hall, on Saturday night The comrades of the returned "Soldiers of the Queen" took great interest in the matter, and, with Sergeant-Major Harkins as an energetic secretary, they carried it through very successfully. Tables were laid down the centre of the hall, and at these the guests were accommodated, the catering being in the excellent hands of Mr F.J. Ireland. The interior of the building was also appropriately decorated with flags. There was a large attendance of military men and representative citizens, and the guests of the evening were given a very cordial reception.
Mr A.J. Stephenson, M.L.A., presided, and seated with him at the head of the principal table were Privates BRADY and EGAN, Major P.L. Cardew, Captain C.A.H. Watson. Captain C. Gehrmann, Lieutenant Edgar Robinson, Lieutenant R.A. Wearne, his Worship the Mayor (Alderman B. Tallon), and Alderman J. Spresser. Apologies for absence were received for Mr T.B. Cribb, M.L.A., Lieutenant Colonel F. Flewell-Smith, Major W.H. Ackerley, Captain J. White, Sergeant-Major J.G. Price, and Mr J. Wilkinson (who was present for a short time, but could not remain).
Alter the toasts of "The Queen" and "The Governor" had been loyally honoured, the Chairman proposed that of "Our Guests – Privates M.D. BRADY and M. EGAN". The mere mention of the toast, he said, was sufficient to gain for it an enthusiastic reception. (Applause). When the first contingent for South Africa was organised those who went with it were assured that they would not be forgotten by the comrades whom they had left behind. The fact that during the past few months there had been so many gatherings similar to the one now being held was proof that that had been no idle boast. There had never been any doubt that the Australians would quit themselves like Britons in the field, and he had never felt so proud in his life as on the occasion when the news of the Sunnyside engagement came through and the British Press was ringing with praise of the Australians. (Applause). The Queenslanders had shown their comrades in the Imperial service that they were able to fight the Boers at their own game. (Applause). He believed that was a bit of a revelation to the Boers. (Laughter). But the Queenslanders had been modest about their achievements – they seemed to lake it for granted that they had only done their duty in the service of the Queen. (Hear, hear). Those who had returned would have the satisfaction of knowing that they had gained an experience that would be invaluable to them and to their comrades. (Applause). The speaker then presented each of the guests with the "Absent-Minded Beggar Medal" (provided as a result of the funds raised by the London "Daily Mail"), and a handsome pendant, as an evidence of the good feeling shown towards them by their comrades and others who felt that the services they had rendered should not be overlooked.
Private BRADY, in responding, said that he had never been a speechmaker and the few months he had had in South Africa had not improved him in that respect. However, he felt proud to be there among representative Ipswich citizens. Some people had wondered why he had gone to the front. Well, at the time that hostilities commenced, he was a member of C company, Queensland Defence Force, and when he knew that some foreign Power was trying to nibble a bit off the old flag he felt that he must be there to try and block that. (Applause). Then he went to show a good example to younger men. (Applause). And he did his best while he was there. (Hear, hear). He left a wife and family at home, who were dearer to him than life itself, and there was no guarantee that he would come back, but here he was safe again. (Applause). He thanked his comrades for their very nice present, and said that he could assure them that he would keep it and treasure it for the remainder of his life. (Applause).
Private EGAN also responded in a characteristic speech. He referred to some of the incidents connected with the relief of Kimberley, and bore generous testimony to the manner in which his chum, Private BRADY, had come to his assistance on several occasions. He also thanked his comrades for their nice present.
Other toasts which were honoured during the evening were "Comrades at the Front – Major DEACON, Lieutenant STODART, Sergeant-Major LOYNES, Sergeant PATEN, and Privates SEYMOUR, TOMLINSON and SCHY", proposed by Captain C.A.H. Watson; "Queensland Parliament", proposed by the Mayor and responded to by the Chairman; the "Army and Navy", proposed by Mr W.J. Byott-Maughan in an excellent speech; "C Company, Q.M.I.", proposed by Captain Gehrmann (who made special complimentary reference to Sergeant-Major LOYNES, Paros, and Harkins), and responded to by Major Cardew – who acknowledged the excellent work done by the non-commissioned officers of C company – and by Lieutenant Wearne; "The Press", proposed by Sergeant-Major Harkins and responded to by the representative present. Sergeant-Major Raymond, and Company Sergeant-Majors Hatton and Bailey, who had been in Ipswich during the day, also returned thanks for the invitations extended to them to be present.
IPSWICH, September 10.
RETURNED QUEENSLANDERS.
