State: South Australia
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 23/06/1902
Number issued: 1
Gold medal, to:
Reverse: "Sgt. A.S. Dayman, 2nd South Australian Contingent, 1900".
Inscribed (Kadina & Wallaroo Times): "Sergt. A.S. Dayman, 2nd S.A. contingent, 1900. Presented by subscribers Kadina and district for services rendered in South Africa".
"They were making the presentation because he was the first to go [from Kadina]. It had been intended to treat all the returned soldiers alike, but since then the enthusiasm had waned, and the first effort in that direction had proved to be the last".
Sergeant Dayman received a second gold medal when he returned to South Africa in July 1903. Presentation made by the Mayor (Lieutenant Powell), in the Rechabite Hall, on 08/07/1903.
PEACE DEMONSTRATIONS.
KADINA.
The whole of the arrangements for Kadina were carried out. The town was in holiday attire, and presented a brilliant spectacle. But a feeling of awe prevailed in consequence of the sad news of the King's serious illness. In the morning at 11o'clock a military church parade was held in the rotunda, conducted by the Revs. White and Finch, at which special prayers were offered on behalf of His Majesty. At 12 noon a royal salute was fired in Victoria Square, an event which probably no other country town in the State can boast of. The arrangements for the salute were in the hands of Mr R. Arnold, and the local infantry also took part by firing a feu de joie.
At 1 o'clock a procession was formed in front of the Town Hall, and comprised the following units: – Mounted rifles, in charge of Lieut. G.T. Herbert; Wallaroo Mines naval brigade, under Capt. T. Tamblyn, Mr Woolcock's Federal Band; infantry, in charge of Lieut. J.A. Southwood; about 100 members of the Friendly Societies; stretcher bearers and nurses; Mr F. Potter's long tom; "Britannia and her Sons"; Kadina fire brigade, in charge of Foreman Cooper; the Darktown fire brigade; Salvation Army band; and over 1,100 children, mostly from the Kadina, Wallaroo Mines, Roman Catholic, Willamulka, Wintanerta Boor's Plains, and Oakland North school. Acting-Major Jay was in charge of the procession, which was considered the most brilliant yet witnessed here. The children carried banners and innumerable flags, and the various units were neatly decorated, and the whole presented a sight not soon to be forgotten. The town having been paraded, the procession proceeded to the show grounds, followed by a large crowd of people. At the grounds the children and others were lined up in front of the grandstand, and prior to the singing of the National Anthem the Mayor, (Dr Powell), addressed the gathering, and made special, mention of the illness of the King and the postponement of the coronation. He then made a presentation to Sergt. A.S. DAYMAN. In doing so he referred briefly to the early stages of the war in South Africa, and of the necessity for Colonial contingents. Australia had sent 16,000 men to the front, and they had made a name for her. South Australia had done her part, and amongst those who left our shores was Sergt. DAYMAN. He had returned, and was with them again. He was to receive a gold medal for what he had done for his country, and because he was one of the first to volunteer. He had much pleasure in handing to the Sergt. the medal, which was inscribed: – "Sergt. A.S. Dayman, 2nd S.A. contingent, 1900. Presented by subscribers Kadina and district for services rendered in South Africa". Sergt. DAYMAN briefly replied. He thanked them for the medal, and hoped to retain the good opinion expressed of him.
The children rendered "The Song of Australia", and then much amusement was caused by a burlesque fire brigade competition in which the Kadina and Darktown brigades took part. A small cottage was erected on the ground, and was fired. At a given signal the brigades started. Two of the Darktowns were successful in impeding the progress of their rivals, while their friends proceeded to the rescue, and won the competition, for which they were rewarded with a melon. The little ones were then regaled with buns, fruits, and sweets, after which a programme of sports was successfully carried out.
In the evening many places in the town were illuminated, and the Town Hall decorated with fairy lamps, was indeed a pleasing sight, standing out prominently at the top of the building being the letters "E.R." and on the balcony was the word "Peace". Part of the procession reformed at 7 o'clock, and marched the town to the show grounds, where a continental was held. A quantity of fireworks were put off, several tar barrels were burned on a high stage, illuminating the surroundings, and an interesting programme was carried out, the contributors being: – The Greenwood Family, the Taylor-street Methodist choir, Rev. White, Misses Johnson and Parnell, and Messrs Edgar and Hier.
