Medals and awards

Lake Boga, Vic

State: Victoria, Australia
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 30/07/1901
Number issued: 2

 

Gold medals, to:

4th Victorian (Imperial Bushmen's) Contingent –
170 Trooper Thomas James CASTLES
495 Trooper John Alexander HICKS
 

Presentation made by Sergeant Heaney, Rangers, in the Mechanics' Institute, Lake Boga.

The medals were "to be suitably inscribed" after the presentation.

 

 

 
 
_____________________________________
 
 
 
Kerang New Times, 2nd August 1901
 

HOME FROM THE WAR.

On Tuesday evening, writes our Lake Boga correspondent, a very pleasant time was spent at the local Mechanics' Institute in bidding our returned soldiers, Troopers HICKS and CASTLE who returned to Victoria by the Orient, welcome home from the war. This matter was taken up by the local corps of Rangers, which was well supported by the public, and the entertainment was pronounced one of the best ever held in this district. About 160 people sat down to the tables and full justice was done to the good things provided. The tables were sumptuously and tastefully laid out by the ladies and reflected credit on the skill displayed by their delicate hands. The catering, by Mr Stone, was all that could be desired. Sergeant Heaney, senior of the local corps of Rangers, occupied the chair, and at nine o'clock sharp the ball was set rolling by the band playing See the Conquering Hero Comes. When the guests entered the hall it was the signal for three ringing British cheers, which alone to the guests was worth living for. These had just subsided when three more cheers burst forth for Sergeant Long who was also a guest by special invitation.

The chairman proposed the toast of the King. He then called on Mr E. Dew for a song, Rally Round the Flag, which was very appropriate, seeing that the Union Jack made a good back drop for the chairman.

The toast of our distinguished guests was proposed and supported by Messrs Davenport, Hussey, F.W. Scown and May. The chairman, in a neat speech, presented the guests with a handsome gold medal each, which are to be suitably inscribed. He pointed out the hard duties of a soldier’s life and how, in many cases, it was the soldier who did the work for which the officer got the credit.

A song by Miss Eva Scown, The British Navy, was suitably applauded.

Trooper HICKS, in responding, said he felt quite overcome with emotion and could not find words to express his feelings for the kindness shown him. He was ready when deeds were required, but was a poor hand at making a speech and he hoped they would take the will for the deed.

Trooper CASTLE, who was suffering from a severe cold, could not say much. He felt his position keenly and would remember that occasion for the rest of his life. He thanked them for their kindness.

Corporal Stone proposed Our Comrades at the Front, which was followed with a song given by Mr Davenport, Scarlet and Blue. Votes of thanks were accorded to the chairman and committee, also the secretary, Mr F. Butler, and last, but not least, the ladies for the creditable way the affair was carried out.

After the supper the hall was cleared and dancing was commenced which, interspersed with songs, was kept going till morning.

I have gleaned the following particulars respecting the two soldiers mentioned above, and their experiences in South Africa: — Trooper J.A. HICKS is a native of Hamilton, Victoria, a son of the late S. Hicks, overseer on Murudale station, the property of the Hon. S.W. Cooke, M.L.A. On this property, under his father, he gained his bush experience. He was employed on Melool station before enlisting for Sonth Africa. He was known on Nyang, Melool (N.S.W.); Stanhope (Victoria); Ensay (Gippsland); and Benmore (N.Z.) as a first-class shearer. Trooper T.J. CASTLE is a native of Pyramid Hill and a son of the late Frederick Castle, who died in Swan Hill in the year 1898. He was also employed on Melool station prior to enlisting for South Africa, to which station they are now both returning to resume their old duties. Both were friends before enlisting — were accepted at the same time, sailed together, fought side by side and returned together. They travelled with the Imperial Bushmen's contingent, in which they served 14 months, being attached to Captain Tivey's E Company, while journeying through the Portuguese and Rhodesian territory and on to Bulawayo, from there to the Transvaal border, on to the Crocodile River, where they did a deal of pa[??]ing under General Carrington. This was the only place where this company touched the Transvaal territory. From there they went to Cape Colony where Captain Tivey distinguished himself in the defence of Philipstown and gained his service order. This was his first brash they had bad with the enemy and from there a long chase eastward[?] after De Wet, covering about 1,000 miles, when the convoy crossed the Orange River, and he thus evaded his pursuers. Trooper CASTLE was for some of the time temporarily separated from his companion, attached to Henniker’s Coldstream Guards who, he says, are a very fine lot of fellows and well deserve the name. Trooper CASTLE was lucky enough to escape the fever, but his comrade was not so fortunate, though the attack was not severe, he only being laid up one month. He is loud in his praises of the kind treatment he received in the hospital. If the opportunity again presented itself these two soldiers would take advantage of it to again return to the front. They saw a good deal of South African game such as spring bok, antelope, hyena, jackal, wolf, zebra, guinea fowl and partridge. They had the pleasure of shooting and eating plenty of bok, antelope and guinea fowl, but not much of the other. Lieutenant McDonald, of Bendigo, one day shot a zebra which Trooper HICKS helped to skin and took a steak off it just to say be had eaten it, which he says is much like horse flesh. They also brought back with them a number of mementoes, consisting of a pompom and Nordenfeldt shot, and a few Manser poisoned bullets and Boer coin from a sovereign down to the threepenny piece which the Boers call tickeys, also several Portuguese coins.
 
 
Melbourne Argus, 5th August 1901
 

LAKE BOGA.

On Tuesday night Troopers HICKS and CASTLES, who have just returned from South Africa, were entertained with a social and dance in the local hall, and were presented with gold medals. Mr R. Heany occupied the chair, and there were fully 200 persons present.
 
 
 
Details
Parent Category: Tribute medals
Category: L
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