State: New South Wales, Australia
Issued on: Return
Dates of presentations: 22/01/1901, 29/06/1901, 19/09/1902
Number issued: 9 or 10
22/01/1901 presentation
112 Private Edward Davies THOMAS
29/06/1901 presentation
107 Private Alfred SHARPE
538 Trooper Samuel Joseph DAWSON
229 Trooper Percy William CORDEROY
19/09/1902 presentation
231 Trooper Lawrence [Laurence] HOY
"At a later date Sharpe will be entertained at a citizens' social, and be presented with the citizens' gold medal. This makes the fifth Lithgow boy back safe and sound. There are yet two away - Corderoy and Dawson" (Sydney Evening News, 13/03/1901).
The Sydney Evening News (05/07/1901) states that eight volunteers had left Lithgow to fight in South Africa. This suggests that one recipient is unaccounted for. However this is at odds with the report of 13/03/1901 above.
BACK FROM THE WAR.
LITHGOW, Monday.
The populace of Lithgow turned out in great force on Saturday afternoon to welcome three returning soldiers from South Africa – Privates R. HALL, S. SAXELBY, and E.D. THOMAS. These men responded to the first call for volunteers, and have thus been on the battlefield about fifteen months, during which period each gave a good account of himself. They arrived by the 3.30 passenger train, from Sydney, and long before that hour lines of flags stretched across Main-street and elsewhere gave the town a festive appearance. The local company of volunteer infantry, under Captain Bracey, mustered at the drill hall, and marched to Eskbank Station, where they were soon joined by the fire brigade and hundreds of citizens, including the Mayor (Alderman John James), Mr Joseph Cook, M.L.A., and the borough aldermen. The Lithgow Model Band was stationed on a rise close to the station, and when the train drew up cheer after cheer went up. The men were formally welcomed on alighting from the train by the Mayor and Mr Cook and Captain Bracey. The 'boys' were then accommodated on the fire engine, and a procession was formed. The main streets having been traversed, a reception meeting was held in the large Oddfellows' Hall, which was packed to the doors. The interior was decked with flags and the proceedings were of a most enthusiastic character. Welcome addresses were given by the Mayor, Mr Cook, Captain Bracey, and Aldermen Ireland and Burns. The speakers, aldermen, and friends, together with the returned soldiers repaired to the Cosmopolitan Hotel, where several appropriate toasts were proposed and honored. At night the returned soldiers were entertained at a welcome social by the members of “E” Infantry Company at the drill hall, where each gave some interesting reminiscences of their experiences at the front. The men, together with Private R. GRACE, who returned invalided some two months ago are to be entertained at a social and concert by the citizens on the 22nd instant, when they will be presented with gold medals.BACK FROM THE WAR.
LITHGOW, Thursday.
LITHGOW, Monday.
LITHGOW, Friday.
SOCIAL ITEMS.
On Friday evening, June 29, Privates Alf. SHARPE, W. CORDEROY, and Sam DAWSON, who have recently returned to Lithgow from active service in South Africa, were entertained at a citizens' social in the Oddfellows' Hall. The local company of volunteer infantry also took an active part in the arrangements. There were about eighty couples present. The Mayor (Alderman James) presided, and among those present were Captain Bracey (commanding E Company), Captain Kirkland (A.M.C.), Colour-Sergeant Dougherty, Mr T. Corderoy, Mr S. Dawson, sen., and others. At 9.30 the Mayor presented the citizens’ gold medal to each of the 'boys'. He was glad that the people of Lithgow had had the opportunity of welcoming back the whole of the eight men who had left the town for the war, not one having fallen in battle. The 'boys' returned their thanks in turn, and were followed by addresses from Captains Bracey and Kirkland. The whole affair was most successful and enjoyable, for which happy result the secretary (Corporal Young) is in a great measure responsible.PRESENTATION TO RETURNED SOLDIERS.
Shortly after 10 the members of E Company were drawn up in line in the hall. The Mayor (Ald. Spooner) ascended the platform for the purpose of making a presentation of a gold medal each to Sergt. S. BRACEY and Private HOY. The Mayor stated that it was at the request of the officers and members of E Company that he was there to perform a very pleasing duty — presenting medals to Sergt. BRACEY and Private HOY. He offered them hearty congratulations on their safe return, and felt sure he was only echoing the sentiments of the whole district in speaking thusly. (Applause). It had been said that a lot of those who volunteered for service in South Africa went there under the impression — when the campaign first started — that it would be all over in a tew weeks; but the two there that night went in the middle of it, when it was recognised that the matter was a serious one, and likely to be of prolonged duration. He was glad to say, too, that they had acquitted themselves as soldiers and men. When on the battlefield it was a point that the officers should be the last to leave. Well, in the present case it was an officer's son who was one of the last to leave. (Loud applause). Their career, while on the South African veldt, had been an honourable one; and they merely looked upon the work and hardships they had to undergo as the ordinary duties pertaining to warfare. In conclusion, the Mayor said he hoped that the recipients would accept the medals in the spirit in which they were given, and that they would continue to be an honour to the country and live long to wear their tributes. (Applause).
Col. Guest was then called upon by the Mayor. The Colonel stated that he willingly responded to the request to say a few words. But he would not detain them at any length. He, however, endorsed every word the Mayor had said — not that Mr Spooner had said sufficient — he had not said a one-tenth part of what could justly be said of our soldiers. (Applause). Col. Guest congratulated Sergt. BRACEY and Private HOY on their safe return. He considered they had done excellent work for the British Empire and were an honour to their country. He hoped they would long be spared to wear the medals with which they had been presented. (Applause).
Sergt. BRACEY thanked them heartily for their splendid present. He did not think he was in any way worthy of it. The services he had rendered were merely a duty to his King and country. He thought he had done nothing but what he should have done when the honour and prestige of his country was at stake. He again thanked the members of E Company for their present. (Applause).
Private HOY was very pleased to be amongst them again, and thanked them for the medal which had been given him that night. He had not had an opportunity of doing much while in South Africa, but if he had got a chance he thought that he would have given a good account of himself. (Applause). He was only a new member of E Coy., but already he felt quite an old hand amongst them, so well had they treated him. (Applause).
Captain Bracey was then culled upon by the Mayor. The Captain, in commencing, said he thought it was rather out of place for him to say anything on the present occasion. He, however, took it that it was meant that he was to say a few words about Private HOY, and although Private HOY was only a young member amongst them, he had proved himself a thorough veteran, and a perfect hero with plenty of grit, as he went into the very thick of it. (Applause). He was always thankful to welcome them home safe and sound. The war had been an especially trying and anxious time to him, as his own son was there, and he felt proud that he had served with distinction, and had been promoted to the rank of sergeant. (Applause). His son had served over 12 months under Colonel Lassetter, and was then transferred to the 3rd Imperial Bushmen. Capt. Bracey, before concluding, thanked the members of E Coy. heartily for their mark of appreciation to his son. (Applause).
Three hearty cheers were then given.
