State: New South Wales, Australia
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 24/08/1901
Number issued: 1
Gold medal, suitably inscribed, to:
Presentation made by Mr John Hurley, M.P., in the large dining room of the Belgravia [Belgrave] Hotel, Medlow Bath.
Subscribed for by Medlow residents.
RETURNED TROOPS.
BLACKHEATH, Monday.
Returned from the War.
A social and supper was held in the large dining room of the "Belgravia", Medlow, on Saturday evening to welcome Sergeant CLIFF, and to present him with a handsome inscribed gold medal from the Medlow residents and friends.
The room was decorated with flags and flowers for the occasion. Some 76 people sat down to supper, visitors coming from Sydney, Katoomba and Blackheath.
Although the night was wet all the residents came out to honour their returned soldier, who has served some eighteen months at the front.
Mr C. Wade-Brown occupied the chair; on his right sat the guest of the evening, and on the left Mr John Hurley, M.P., Mr Webb and Mr Bunting.
The chairman, who is himself on old Crimean soldier, was applauded on rising. He said that they had met to do honour to one of their brave boys, who some months ago had gone to the front as a private, and had risen to his present rank, which spoke for itself as to his having done his duty. He had upheld the honour of the little village, while serving the Empire. It spoke well for our small township, which had only two families of boys old enough to serve their country, when they had sent four brave Medlow boys to the front. The chairman also expressed the wish that the other three would return with similar honours. He said on behalf of the residents he was pleased to heartily welcome home Sergeant CLIFF, and felt sure that all present that evening did the same.
Mrs A.A. Smith then called upon Mr John Hurley, M.P., to present Sergeant CLIFF with a handsome gold medal on behalf of the Medlow residents.
Mr Hurley was greeted with cheers on rising. He said he was very pleased to be present on such an occasion, and he felt sure that the Sergeant had done his duty. When the call came, Australia had sent thousands of her brave sons to help in the time of need, and their guest that night was one who had responded to the call. Though be carried his life daily in his hands, he felt pleased that the Sergeant had gone through the heavier part of the campaign with only the loss of a few teeth, which, was caused through his horse being shot and falling on him. Mr Hurley said he hoped the Sergeant would live many years to wear the medal with honour to the parents and family to which he belonged. Sergeant CLIFF anticipated to return to the front again, and the gift would remind him of the many friends who had gathered to greet him that night. Hs wished to personally welcome the Sergeant, not only on his own account, but also on account of his (the speaker’s) old friend, his father, whom he had known for 18 years.
Sergeant CLIFF, on rising, was greeted with ringing cheers, and it was some time before he could make himself heard. He said that the gathering that night was a great surprise to him. He went away quietly to try and help his country, and said he felt sorry he could not find words to express his sincere and heartfelt thanks to so many kind friends. It was very pleasing to see so many come out on such a wet night. Their handsome present that night would be very highly prixed, and when he returned to South Africa it would always remind him of the many kind friends left behind. He then explained the different engagements in which he had taken part, which are now well-known historic events from the taking of Lindley to the 250-mile march into Petersberg, and was among the first British troops to enter that township. These events included the eleven hours' fight at Bethlehem, and the capture of General Prinsloo and 5000 Boers. Sergeant CLIFF then showed various types of shell — a 15 pounder British, a Boer 12 pounder, pom poms, Boer's bandolier, poisoned and explosive bullets and Kruger coins.
Songs and dancing were then indulged in until midnight. Cheers wire given for Mr and Mrs Cliff, Senr. Thanks were given to Mr and Mrs Webb, who so kindly lent the room, and cheers to the Medlow ladies who kindly gave their assistance, and for the three Medlow boys who are still fighting at the front.
RETURNED FROM THE WAR.
WELCOME AND PRESENTATION.
A social and supper was held in the large dining-room of the Belgravia, to welcome heme Sergeant J. CLIFF and present him with a handsome gold medal, duly inscribed, from the Medlow residents and friends The room was decorated with flags and flowers for the occasion. Some 75 people sat down to supper, visitors coming from Sydney, Katoomba, and Blackheath. Although a very wet night, all the residents came to do honour to one of our returned boys back from the war, after serving for some eighteen months at the front. Mr. C. Wade Brown occupied the chair. On his right sat the guest of the evening; on the left, Mr John Hurley, M.P., Mr Webb, and Mr Bunting, and visitors from Sydney.
The chairman, on rising, was applauded; he himself is an old Crimean soldier. He said that they had met to do honour to one of our brave boys who had gone away some eighteen months ago to the front as a private, and had risen to his present rank, which indicated that he had done his duty and upheld the honour of our little village while serving the Empire. It spoke well for our small township, which had only two families of boys old enough to serve their country, when we had sent four of our brave Medlow boys to the front. Now that the guest had returned with such honours, he (the chairman) hoped the other three would also return with the same. On behalf of the residents he heartily welcomed him home again.
Mrs A.A. Smith then called upon Mr John Hurley to present Sergeant CLIFF with a handsome gold medal. Mr Hurley was greeted with cheers. He said he was very pleased to be present, and felt quite sure that the sergeant had done his duty. It showed other nations that when they trod on the tail of our mighty Empire they would have others to reckon with. Australia had sent thousands of her brave sons to help her in time of need, and their guest was one who had responded to the call. He had gone forth some eighteen months ago, had carried life daily in his hands, and he was pleased that he had gone through the campaign and escaped with the loss of a few teeth, caused through his horse being shot and falling on him. On behalf of the Medlow residents and friends, he presented him with the medal. The medal was inscribed: "Presented to Sergeant James Cliff on his return from the South African War, after serving sixteen months at the front, from the Medlow residents. 1901". Mr Hurley hoped he would live many years to wear it with honour to his dear parents and family. As he anticipated returning to the front again, it would always remind him of the many friends who gathered to greet him there. He wished to personally welcome him, not only on his own account, but also on behalf of his old friend, the sergeant's father, whom he had known for some eighteen years.
Sergeant CLIFF, on rising, was greeted with ringing cheers. It was some time before he could make himself heard. He said that the gathering that night was a great surprise to him, as he had gone quietly away to try and help his country. He felt sorry that he could not find words to express his sincere and heartfelt thanks to so many of his kind friends, and continued: "I thank you, Mr Chairman and Medlow residents, for your handsome present. When I return to South Africa it will always remind me of many kind friends I've left behind". He explained the many engagements in which he had taken part, and told the gathering that the little unit to which he belonged had brought back two Victoria Crosses. He showed and explained the different shells, including British 15-poundor and Boer 12-poundor, several pom-pom and poisoned and explosive bullets, Boer bandolier, and different Boer coins.
