Medals and awards

HOME FROM THE WAR.

RECEPTION OF OUR BOYS IN LAWRENCE.

The deep-seated feeling of loyalty and devotion to the Empire which the war in South Africa has called into active and, it may be affirmed, enduring life in New Zealand, in common with the whole of the British colonies, found enthusiastic and spontaneous expression on Wednesday in the truly magnificent welcome given by the people of this district to those members of the Fourth Contingent who had been equipped and sent to the front from here. …….

A dismounted detachment of the Tuapeka Rifle Corps, under Captain Pearson, together with the High School Cadets, under Captain Darton, kept the passage to the station clear, and after the men had been welcomed by their relations and friends they were led by the Mayor and Reception Committee to a cleared pace outside the station where a large assemblage of people had gathered, by whom the men were warmly welcomed in popular fashion. The Lawrence Brass Baud had also taken up a position close to the station and played a number of patriotic airs, and the Fire Brigade was present in uniform.

Ascending the dais, his Worship said he offered to Troopers DUNCAN, SWANWICK, and McDONALD, he could assure them, a hearty welcome home from South Africa on behalf of the citizens of Lawrence. Some time ago, when they assembled to give them a send-off on their departure for the war, they expected great things from them and he was glad to say that they were not disappointed. In fact they had not only fulfilled all the expectations that had been centred in them, but they had done credit to themselves, to Lawrence, and to New Zealand, whose loyalty to the King and Empire they so worthily upheld and represented. — (Loud cheers). The first, second, and third contingents had made a great name for themselves; but there was still good work left for the "Dandy Fourth", and they soon succeeded in making a name and a reputation for themselves, and in worthily upholding the credit of our New Zealand boys at the front. — (Cheers). They were heartily pleased to see them come back, after having served their full time, looking so thoroughly well after having undergone the many hardships incidental to long marches, exposure to the elements, and, he had no doubt, scanty rations at times. They had gone through 15 months' arduous campaigning, escaping not only disease but the bullets of the enemy and came back fit and smiling. — (Cheers). He might mention that during the whole of that time they had carefully watched the papers to see what they had been doing. They had followed them step by step and the one part of the paper that attracted attention most was that which told them of the doings of the "Dandy Fourth". They heard of one of them having captured a lion at Beira. Whether that was true or not he did not know; but he was sure that either the man or the lion got a bad fright. — (Laughter). On behalf of the people of Lawrence he tendered them a most hearty welcome — a welcome not in mere words, but a welcome that came from their hearts. He would not keep them any longer as he had no doubt they were anxious to get among their relatives and friends. They were all more than delighted to have them back once more safe and sound and to know that they had well maintained not only the credit of Lawrence, but the credit of the Empire. They left here to fight under the flag of the Empire of their own free will without pressure or conscription of any kind and he could safely say that if the Empire called on them again in the future they would be found equally ready and willing to answer the call. — (Loud applause).

The Band played the "Red, white and blue", and the returned troopers ascended the dais beside the Mayor.

Trooper McDONALD said he desired in a few simple words to thank the people of Lawrence most sincerely for the very hearty reception they were pleased to give himself and his comrades. It more than repaid them for whatever hardships they may have undergone. He might say that it had been the same since they landed at the Bluff last week some time — he couldn't remember the day — (Laughter). The people had shown them every kindness and every possible attention. It was the same at Dunedin, and he could see by the number of kind, smiling faces he saw around him that their welcome here was a genuine one and came from the heart. He would not weary them about the experiences of the Fourth while in South Africa, but would merely say that he was right glad to be home in Lawrence again and he thanked them for their hearty reception. — (Cheers).

Trooper SWANWICK said he felt the happiest man in the crowd to be home again. They had their share of hardships while they were away but they had also plenty of fun. They had always a smile from the Dutch ladies. — (Laughter). In another month's time he would be a better man than ever he was. They had had splendid experience and if ever they were wanted again they would go to the front just as cheerfully as they had done before. — (Cheers). There were plenty of men in Lawrence who would do the same as they had done and plenty who would do it better. — (Cheers). He had good luck as regards health and had little sickness There were still good men in the Transvaal and he hoped they would come back to get the same splendid reception as they got today. Anyone who wanted to know anything about the war had only to tap them on the shoulder and they would tell them all about it. — (Laughter). They had a good send-off when they went away but they had a better reception. (Applause). If ever the Boers came over here they would give them a time of it. — (Laughter). They had had valuable experience in South Africa and if ever a foreign foe attempted to interfere with this grand little country of theirs, they would show them how they could play "De Wet", — (Cheers).

Trooper DUNCAN said he could only endorse, his comrades' sentiments and thank them for the very hearty reception they had given them. — (Cheers).

The Mayor called for three hearty cheers for the men who had had returned from the front, which were given with a will. The Band then played "God save the King", the assemblage taking up the refrain. The troopers were then hoisted on the shoulders of some enthusiastic friends in the crowd and preceded by the Band, were carried through Ross Place.

SOCIAL IN THE TOWN HALL.

The social tendered to the returned troopers in the Town Hall in the evening was successful beyond expectation. The hall was crowded to the doors by a most enthusiastic and good-humored audience who made no concealment of the fact that they meant to make the most of the occasion which they did mainly by a wholesome and generous indulgence in round after round of full-throated, vigorous applause and the heartiest of laughter. The manner in which the hall was decorated reflected most creditably on the excellent taste of the ladies on whom that work devolved, whilst the heavy task of dispensing refreshments to such a large assemblage was successfully carried out by a brigade of young girls picturesquely attired in white and blue. The Lawrence Orchestral Society played with very pleasing effect some operatic music (Lacidarem) before the proceedings began, and it should also be said that the Lawrence Brass Band contributed a number of national items in front of the Town Hall. The returned troopers, as they filed up the hall in company with the members of the Reception Committee, were loudly cheered. On the Reception Committee, with the troopers, and also Trooper SULLIVAN, of the Fourth Contingent, taking their seats on the platform, his Worship the Mayor, who presided, read from Mr Henry Hart, one of the members of the Reception Committee, a letter of apology for his absence and wishing the social every success.

The Mayor said he felt extremely proud, though proud was hardly the word for it, to be present and taking part in the welcome given to their own lads on their return from the Transvaal. It was some 16 months since they had sent them away to fight the Empire's battles and there was then, as they would remember, a certain amount of enthusiasm, but there was also a certain amount of sadness as there was the possibility, inseparable always from war, that they might never return. But on the present occasion there was not the slightest trace of sadness. The lads had done their duty and done it well, and returned back to their homes and friends better men than eyer they were. (Cheers). And not only that, but 16 months ago things in South Africa were not very bright. The British had had several severe reverses there and they had seen some of the darkest days of their lifetime. But after the Fourth had landed in South Africa a change had set in and soon afterwards the world witnessed the spectacle of President Kruger clearing out of the country, but not, however, before he had secured two millions of money. He did not say that all this was because of the Fourth Contingent having landed in the country, but still it was a lesson to the whole world. They had shown those people on the Continent that the old fighting spirit of the Anglo-Saxon still lived and that beyond the seas there was another people of the same fighting breed to be reckoned with, a people who were prepared to answer the call of the Motherland and fight under the flag as their forefathers had done before them. (Cheers). Some people were beginning to think that Britain was not the power she was in other days. They were beginning to think she was encumbered by her colonies and that those colonies would be a source of weakness rather than of strength to the great British Empire. But from the way the colonies had responded to the call of the Empire it was shown that instead of being a source of weakness or an embarrassment they were a tower of strength to the British nation. — (Cheers). Before sitting down he should express his appreciation of the manner in which the people had turned out to welcome home their returned troopers from the front. — (Applause). …….

Mr Arbuckle, who prefaced his remarks with a humorous story, said he did not intend to speak at any length as he considered the previous speakers had said pretty well everything that was worth saying on the question of the hour. He did not know why he had been included among the speakers of the evening unless it was because he had been a volunteer for a number of years. He had been in the Victorian volunteers many years ago, and with a number of his comrades volunteered for service in New Zealand in the days of its Native troubles. Until quite recently volunteers had been very much regarded as feather-bed soldiers, but those returned troopers from South Africa who were with them that evening knew something quite different. He was not going to flatter them a great deal. They had done their duty just as it was expected they would do it when they left Lawrence, and the object of the meeting that evening was to welcome them back to their country and their friends. All this they had done in a most hearty manner indeed. They had received such a welcome as he, speaking as a very old resident of the district, had never seen anything to equal, and he was proud to be one of those who had taken an active part in tendering them such a welcome. — (Applause). He had taken part in many public functions during a residence of nearly 40 years in the district, but the present was the most pleasant, enthusiastic and wholehearted he had ever taken part in. — (Applause). All he would say further was that as an old resident of the district he joined in heartily welcoming home their returned troopers who had so well carried out the duties they had undertaken and by God's help had come back to their friends in safety, — (Applause).

The presentation of gold medals to three of the returned troopers — McDONALD, DUNCAN and MILLER — was then made by the Mayor, who said they were presented by the people of Lawrence in recognition of the services of the men in South Africa. He explained that Trooper SWANWICK was not included in the presentation as he would receive a souvenir from the people of Wetherstones on Friday evening, he having been equipped and sent to the front from there. The third medal was to be given to Trooper Horace MILLER, of the Rimington’s Scouts, who, after having failed in his efforts to get away from the colony in some of the contingents, paid his own passage to South Africa and joined the Scouts and after obtaining his discharge paid his own passage back again to the colony. — (Applause). The medals, which bore the following inscription, were then presented by the Mayor: — "Presented by the citizens of Lawrence to the members of the New Zealand Fourth Contingent in recognition of their military services in South Africa, 1900-1901".

Cheers for each of the troopers on being handed their medals were given by the audience and a verse of "For they are jolly good fellows" was sung.

Troopers McDONALD, DUNCAN, and MILLER returned thanks on receiving their medals, as also did Trooper SWANWICK for the splendid reception he and his comrades had been given. In answer to repeated demands from the audience Trooper McLAREN, who was enthusiastically cheered, also made a few remarks. Cheers were also given for the mothers of some of the troopers who were present among the audience.

A stirring selection of pipe music was then given by Mr E. Jameson and by request the “Wearin' o' the green". On the motion of the Mayor a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the ladies for the valuable assistance they had given in decorating the hall and dispensing the refreshments.

Mr T. Pilling moved a hearty vote of thanks to the Mayor for the very able manner in which he had conducted the meeting. He thought the citizens of Lawrence had occasion to feel proud of their Mayor, as he was a real live man.

The motion was carried by acclamation, with three cheers for the Mayor.

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