State: New South Wales, Australia
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 09/02/1901
Number issued: 2
Gold medals, to:
Presentation to Privates Appleby and Glanville.
The presentations to Privates Appleby and Glanville of silver watches and chains by the citizens of the district in recognition of their appreciation of their action in voluntarily taking part in the early campaign against the Boers was made to these soldiers by the Mayor at a concert on Thursday night.
The entertainment opened with a pianoforte solo by Miss Payton, which was followed by a song, "Out on the Deep," rendered pleasingly by Mr Farleigh. Mr Bert. Osborne put the somewhat paucious audience — accounted for by the dismal afternoon and wet night and by the fact of a disinclination on the part of a large portion of the community to participate in any social function during such a period of national sorrow and mourning — into a pleasant humor by giving a comic, "I'm Not," and in response to a most decided aud well-merited encore gave "Hooligan," receiving vociferous applause. Miss Nellie Cork contributed a pianoforte solo, and the presentation was then made.
The Mayor, on rising, said that they had met that night to enact the last scene in the drama of the 89-90 war, for though hard fighting and much loss of life might still occur, yet the war in the accepted sense was at an end, the remaining work in the Transvaal was merely police work — to quell the lawless marauding bands, working without any political head, any reasonable hope, or any set purpose other than revenge and plunder. It was not his mission there that night to give them a lecture on the war, or its cause and effect, but, perhaps, it would not be out of place in passing to glance at the cause and effect of that most unfortunate war — not in justification of their action in connection therewith — that needed no justification, conversant as they all were with the history of their motherland. Looking broadly on the great events of that history they recognised with pride and reverence that she had proved herself to be the greatest civilising power on the face of the earth, that every great action that she had undertaken, imperiling the lives or welfare of her people, had been undertaken for the advancement of civilisation and the welfare of humanity. Hence they gave their support seeking no reason beyond the fact that that support was required. Glancing at the cause of the war Britain's action was this, her subjects in the Transvaal being treated with tyranny and oppression such as only a savage nation would enforce upon unfortunate, aliens, she demanded that her people should receive similar treatment to that accorded to the Boers or any other foreign people in Britain or her colonies. That was no demand for war; it was only Britain's duty to her subjects. Every civilised nation placed within the cities of other nations Consuls to watch over the interests and welfare of her people, an allwise provision but for which intercourse with other nations would be almost impossible. Therefore Britain was only carrying out the duty due from her to her subjects and war would not have been proclaimed but that ex-President Kruger was seeking for an excuse to proclaim war, so that he might have an opportunity to annex Cape Colony and build up the title of "Emperor Paul." Events that had transpired and documents that have been brought to light since the inception of the war fully bears out that theory, and no doubt he was aided by some Continental nations— in fact he was the catspaw of wiser heads than his own. Nations with a far reaching policy that wanted to test the war strength of Britain, and the amount of moral support she would receive from civilised nations and from her colonies were, he thought, the cause of the war — Kruger's desire for Empire fostered by nations who wanted to test the strength of Britain. The effect was that the splendid support accorded to the Empire at this critical juncture by the whole of the Colonies — Canada, Cape Colony, India, New Zealand and Australia — had shown to the world that the whole of their Colonies from every corner of the globe were prepared to stand by her side and lay down their lives if need be for the integrity of the Empire. This splendid support would go far in the future to make war impossible. It would teach such nations as France and Russia that if they wish to strike the British Lion they must remember the vigorous growth of her cubs, who would fully compensate for any lack of size by the pluck and endurance they had inherited from their warlike dam. It had been said by some that they were allowing too much jingoisim generally to creep into our welcome-home to our troops; but if Earl Roberts, Lord Kitchener or Baden-Powell, were visiting here they would rise to a man to welcome them, but they in their positions simply did their duty— their abilities no doubt were greater than that of their boys but the latter did their biding by fighting for our honor to the best of their abilities. They fulfilled their pledge to their country — Iet them always remember. Turning to Troopers Glanville and Appleby, he said they had invited them there that night to show them that they appreciated the pluck and loyalty that they had shown by the prompt manner in which they responded to the call of duty. They wished to mark that appreciation by a present that would link the past with the future. In the past they bade them go forth in their name to battle for the integrity of the Empire. Gallantly they responded to that call. They and their gallant comrades had proved to them that they were soldiers fit to fight for the fair homes and fertile lands of their proud, new-born nation. As such they honored them, but he trusted that their future years would be years of peace, and, as they had shown that they were endowed with endurance and energy, he trusted they would use that endurance and that energy in times of peace like worthy citizens in helping to develop the resources of their native land, in building up a nation great in honor and industry, rich in the peaceful happiness of her people. On behalf of the people of Milton and district he presented to each a watch and chain as a momento of the occasion, and to remind them that their fellow countrymen were ever ready to recognize and honor their conduct when it was worthy of honor. He trusted that in future years when they looked on these watches to ascertain the time that they would be reminded of the time and circumstances under which they received them, and be an incentive to them at all times to cheerfully answer the calls of duty and honor.
The watches were inscribed, as follows (the name, of course, differing on each): — "Presented to No. 43, Trooper H. L. Glanville, by the residents of Milton and district, in recognition of his services in the Boer War, 99-1900.''
Privates Glanville and Appleby each responded briefly, both suffering from considerable nervousness.
The Mayor said they all recognised that Privates Appleby and Glanville were fighters, not talkers; they left that for those who stayed at home to do. He called upon Captain Cork to say a few words.
Captain Cork said it was not his intention— it was not arranged — that he should deliver any speech that evening. He regretted the poor attendance, and attributed it to the wet night. There was another matter which tended to the smallness of the house, and that was the death of her late Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria. It had recently been told him that Milton was the most loyal little community on the Coast, and he always believed it was one of the most so. On this occasion, he thought, in view of the manner in which His Majesty had expressed himself that matters of State should not be superseded on account of the demise of the late occupant of the throne, and the nature of the function - he regarded it as a duty they owed their returned soldiers - that that view of the matter might have been overlooked. He mentioned that even the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York was not being interfered with. He was particularly pleased to be present and witness the presentation; firstly because the recipients were members of his Company, and, secondly, because it was partly due to his advice that they took the first steps in the course of action which they were recognising that night. At the juncture at which Privates Appleby and Glanville volunteered — the most critical in the history of the present war — things looked very black; Kimberley, Mafeking, and Ladysmith were being hotly besieged, and there was decidedly no fun about the task they were undertaking. Something had been said as to the cause ot the war. Some were of the opinion that the war was an unjust one; he gave credit to those holding that view for speaking their mind, and thought none the less of them for holding that opinion. Personally, that was not his opinion. England did not, in his opinion, cause the present war, but the Transvaalers themselves by the unjust taxes they imposed and the [insufferable insults they inflicted upon Britishers. Some took the view that it was the Boers' country and if Britishers did not like it they should leave it. He took the view of those who argued in favor of tenant right. He stated the manner in which the Boers, after having secured the plans of. campaign from strategists of foreign powers, were induced to declare war against Britain. He was unable to estimate the good the war had done. The good done to their lads by going to Africa, and taking part in the campaign was incalculable. It had made soldiers of them. Prior to the present war the colonies were not dreamt of. The foreign nations now realised that they would have to fight three powers, Australia, Canada, and the British. The Australian troops were found to be of great value, superior to the Imperial, because they were naturally better adapted for the work they were required to do. Had there been more there from the commencement of the war several disasters wouId have been avoided. Another good had been done by the war. There were growing up in their midst several of the younger Australians who desired that the connection of this nation with the motherland should be severed. Australia's action in sending her sons to fight the cause of justice and right side by side with the soldiers of Britain had cemented the ties that bound the Empire together. It would bring the young Australian to uphold a higher regard for the mother country. It had also done good in expediting Australian federation, and in time, perhaps, imperial federation, and as a remote consequence, possibly the idealist's dream of a federation of the English speaking race. There was no jingoism in giving the presentation as they had done. In England the City Imperial Volunteers, had received a record demonstration. He regretted they could not make them a presentation commensurate with their regard of their brave action. He hoped they would long be connected with the Company - they would always be proud of them and their offer to sacrifice their lifes for Queen and country.
The programme was then proceeded with. Miss Ruby Cork gave a comic, "The Sheeny Coon," for which she received considerable applause. Mr Osborne again amused the audience with a couple of comic contributions, and Miss Alice Jones rendered sweetly "Just as the Sun Went Down." "The Sons of New Britannia," by Mr Farleigh was a good item. "Troubles" (encored), by Mr Karl Price, and "The Pardon Came Too Late," by Mr. Ward, concluded the musical portion of the entertainment.
Private Glanville, having recovered from his nervousness, narrated briefly some of his travels and adventures in South Africa, and with this the proceedings terminated.MILTON PRESENTATIONS.
MILTON, Monday.
