Medals and awards

SOCIAL TO TROOPER DENNEHY.

Trooper John DENNEHY of the fifth Victorian contingent, who returned from south Africa recently, was tendered a “welcome home social” by the Lilydale branch of the H.A.C.B.S. on Friday night last. Full 30 couples graced the floor and "tripped the light fantastic" to the music of the piano, skilfully played by Mr Rawlings, of Box Hill. The first vocal item on the programme was the song, "Motherland", which was well rendered by Mr L.J. Deschamps. After a couple more dances, Mr E. Rigaldi sang "Asleep in the Deep", in a masterly manner. Subsequently Messrs W. Sherlock and L. Flanagan were applauded for a well-executed Irish reel. Mr E. Rigaldi, secretary of the social committee, then called upon Cr. Kilpatrick to present Trooper DENNEHY with a gold medal. Cr. Kilpatrick said he felt highly flatted and honored at having been asked to make the presentation, though he thought the duty might have been better placed in the hands of a military man, who would have been able to say something appropriate on the subject. He had not taken any active part in the other social to contingenters, and could hardly expect to do justice to the occasion. There was nothing more an individual could do than give his life for his friends, and their guest had volunteered to sacrifice his life for his country. Mr DENNEHY had been exposed to great dangers and hardships on the veldt, and had come out safely. All highly appreciated the valour displayed by our soldiers in the defence of the Empire. Great Britain might be able to do without their help, but it was as well to let the world see that we were prepared for any emergency. He was doubly pleased to make the presentation, as he believed their young friend was a countryman of his (the speaker's). Irishmen were always to be found at the top of the tree in war, politics, and literature, and though they might differ in religion, that difference was not taken into consideration when questions involving the interests of their country arose. He (the speaker), himself, in his youth, had been possibly somewhat bigoted, but travel and experience had since made him more broad-minded. When in London, he had compared the services in Roman Catholic Churches with those of representative English Churches, and when he had become familiar with their ceremonies, he found that there was not much difference between Roman Catholicism and extreme Protestantism. When there was anything to face, they went hand and glove together. He felt sure that their young friend, after undergoing the trials and tribulations he had, would enjoy being amongst his friends again. They all appreciated what Trooper DENNEHY had done for them and his country, and honored him very much. Cr. Kilpatrick then made the presentation, which consisted of a neatly designed gold medal, bearing the inscription: "Presented by the Lilydale H.A.C.B.S., to J. Dennehy, as a welcome home from South Africa", saying he trusted the recipient would not measure their gratitude by the costliness of the trinket — if it were a thousand times more valuable, it would not adequately express their opinion of him. (Applause).

"For he's a jolly good fellow" was lustily sung by the company, and boisterous cheering greeted Trooper DENNEHY on his rising to respond. He thanked them very heartily for the present and Cr. Kilpatrick for his kind words, causing a laugh by remarking that it would be worth his while going back to the war if he could get another such welcome on his return. He thanked his brother members of the H.A.C.B.S., for their generosity, and expressed his pleasure at being amongst them again. He was thoroughly enjoying himself that evening, and hoped everyone present was doing likewise. (Applause).