Medals and awards

RETURN OF TROOPER MELDRUM.

ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION.

Merino, Monday.

To those who are acquainted with the amiable and unassuming manners of Mr “Fred” MELDRUM, and the useful work he has always taken part in whilst growing up amongst us, will hardly be surprised at the unusual enthusiasm shown in the matter of his public welcome last Friday night, the great success of which goes far to show what a small community can do when its sympathies are thoroughly aroused and all work in accord, as they seemed to have done in this case. When it was announced that a small fund was required to defray expenses, amounts came in almost with a rush, until the committee had more money than they knew what to do with, and though a charge was imposed at the door to non-subscribers, it was more for a steadier than to gain funds, for it was expected with good reason that in such a popular movement an open house would not accommodate half of those who would seek admittance. The amount taken by this means, £5 9s 6d, I may add, is to be laid by, so as to be available if required in the future for any local object of charity.

Seating accommodation had been arranged for some 400 people, but before 8 o'clock this was all taken up, and several adults remained outside. There were present visitors from all the neighbouring townships, notably from Casterton, and amongst the military guests Lieutenant Little and Major Somerville, of Sandford Mounted Rifles. The mechanics’ hall never looked to better advantage, flags hanging gracefully everywhere, whilst pictures of famous war generals were nicely arranged about the stage, giving the whole a most imposing and decidedly martial appearance.

 About half-past seven some sixty torch bearers proceeded to Trooper MELDRUM's house, and with Fred and his brother campaigner, H. FITZGIBBON, at the head of the procession, marched first round the town, thence to the mechanics' institute, where the large audience was impatiently waiting for the programme to begin.

The chair was taken by Mr T.E. Silvester, J.P., and in a short and suitable speech he announced the business of the evening. After the applause, consequent thereon, had subsided the concert programme was commenced by a pianoforte duet, nicely played by the Misses Enscoe.

After the half time interval, Captain Enscoe marched a number of his riflemen on the stage, where sat the guest of the evening, with Trooper FITZGIBBON on his right and Bugler HORTLE, of Casterton, who was present by special invitation, on his left. The chairman then presented Trooper MELDRUM with a gold medal of very tasty design suitably inscribed, stating that it was a gilt from his Merino friends to show their appreciation of his action in going to fight for his country.

Mr McKean, of Casterton, sang "Soldiers of the King", very spiritedly, and the refrain being taken up by the riflemen caused a stirring effect amongst the audience, who relieved their patriotic feelings by repeated outbursts of applause.

Trooper MELDRUM then advanced to the edge of the platform and in a loud, distinct tone, slightly broken at first by emotion, spoke as follows: – Mr Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, — I heartily thank you all for the great kindness and cordial reception on the night of my arrival. I had no intimation of anything of the kind. That is why I chose a Monday night to return. You all know of the dark days of the British reverses that led to the outburst of loyalty from all colonials, a feature of which was the formation of the Bushmen's Corps. I had the good fortune to pass the various tests and was included, but had no opportunity to bid you farewell, though I knew your well wishes followed me, and in my frequent letters I endeavoured to give you truthfully detailed accounts of our doings. We reached Table Bay in due course, thence under sealed orders to Beira, capital of East African Portuguese territory. Here we disembarked. Having described Rhodesia in my letters I will not dwell long on it. Bamboo Creek, 60 miles from Beira, has beautiful tropical scenery, huge palms, lovely butterflies, birds and fireflies, sweet scented flowers and glittering sands in the crystal [illegible], but for all its beauty death lurks around. This verse by Mrs Hemans justly describes it: —

There are bright scenes beneath Rhodesian skies, Where glowing suns their purest light diffuse, Uncultured flowers in wild profusion rise, And Nature lavishes her warmest hues; But, trust thou not her smile, her balmy breath. Away! Her charms are but the pomp of death.

Very true, for fever haunts the jungle, and wild animals abound. It would take hours and a more fluent tongue to describe the many wonderful scenes around Umtali, Marandellas, Enkeldoorn, Gwelo, Bulawayo, Gaberones and Mafeking. At the latter place we spent three weeks. We Victorians did not have the luck to do any fighting in this historical place, but our column did. But we had plenty of fighting, yes, and hardship too, since then. Were I to enumerate a half, you would think me boasting. I will briefly mention a few of the engagements our regiment took part in. For dogged pluck, Elands River siege and Koster rank first. A native of our little town, Trooper John ROSCOE, a son of Mr Robert Roscoe, now of Condah, received his death wound there. At Koster we lost 72 out of 75 of our 'A' squadron horses, also two sergeants, a lance-corporal and three troopers killed, and many wounded. Rhenoster was a hard-fought day. Then comes Haman's kraal, six days fighting around Warmbaths and Njylstroom, then Elands River east, Jericho, Koster second time, Wagon Drift, Selion's Kraal, Hekpoort, Vlakfontein, Houtkraal. Wolverboven and Warmbath were taken by the bayonet. I will not attempt to describe the weary months of hardships in the bush veldt in our battered clothes or the starvation of the Rustenburg siege. For four months we were under Baden-Powell. The rest of our term was spent under General Plumer. Altogether we had 14 months' active service, and many a day seemed as long as a week does now. I will leave you to imagine the lonely night watches, the weary months without tents, the night retreats and consequent misery. You have all heard of Carrington’s costly reconnaissance when attempting to relieve Elands River siege, and when in sight of the beleaguered garrison, he retreated on to Zeerust, then to Mafeking, first destroying about £100,000 worth of military stores. That act alone was responsible for most of our suffering. We have fought in the Transvaal, Orange Free State and Cape Colony. Perhaps one of our best feats was when we were withdrawn from fighting around Balmoral, on the Komati Poort line, to Sherborne, in the Colony, a distance of about 1000 miles, a three days' and three nights' journey. Three days after trekking out from Sherborne we engaged De Wet near Colesburg, saved a small convoy and 100 of the Imperial Light Horse from certain capture, drove the enemy back after a six-hour fight, defeated him again two day later at Wolverboven, spent 14 nights without blankets, and several times had only three-quarters of a biscuit a day in the wettest month that district had known for 10 years. We succeeded in capturing his convoy, guns, about 1000 horses and 150 prisoners, demoralised his commando, which on scattering, escaped across the Orange River. Our next big trek was through the Orange Free State and then on to Petersburg, and then we had the joyful news that Australians love to hear, it was positively our last trek, and soon we were homeward bound. Baden-Powell and General Plumer praised our work. Lord Roberts had eulogised the work done at Elands River siege, as the finest in the history of the war. Lord Kitchener had said of the Australians at Rhenoster Kop that no finer fighters had ever faced a foe. Surely this was praise enough. All sorts of inducements had been given us to remain, but we love our own country best. No doubt prosperity will again smile on the sister republics under progressive British rule. No doubt there is vast mineral wealth to be developed, and when hostilities cease and enmity gives way to friendship, in the course of time it will become a great manufacturing country and famed for its commerce.

Again, friends, words fail me to convey my thanks for the great honour done me this evening. It may be some satisfaction for you to know that I always endeavoured to do my duty in a double sense as a Christian soldier, and during my 16 months' service under the flag, I was not once paraded for any offence, and am justly proud of the great name that all Australians have earned for their pluck and endurance.

Loud and continued applause followed on the conclusion of this address, after which the vocal programme was resumed. I might add that during intervals therein both the Revs. Davison and McGowan gave stirring addresses, the former gentleman treating on patriotism in general and the courage and good example shown by their guest in particular; the speaker called for three cheers for each of their soldiers which were heartily given. The Rev. Mr McGowan spoke on behalf of the athletic association and showed how the love and exercise of manly games conduced to form the character for taking part in sterner contests if required, an example of which had been shown in the case of their returned friend. Both addresses, it is needless to say, were highly appreciated by the audience.

At the conclusion of the programme Mr J.H. Dean, in a choice speech, thanked the performers for their valuable services, especially commenting upon those who had so kindly come from a distance. It only remains to state that the sub-committee who arranged the details of the reception, concert, the collectors, in fact all who assisted, headed of course by one of the most energetic of secretaries, Mr Andrew Cochrane, deserve very much credit for thus so successfully carrying out this popular movement.