Medals and awards

PRESENTATION TO LANCE-CORPORAL ROWAN.

There was a very large attendance at the presentation and smoke-night tendered to Lance-Corporal ROWAN, which was held in the Mechanics' Hall on Monday evening last. The supper-room was crowded to excess, and it was found a difficult matter to seat all those who attended. Amongst the Mounted Riflemen present were Privates LOCKWOOD, C. MILLER, FLETCHER, VEARING, and A. MILLER, all of whom, in addition to the guest of the evening, Lance-corporal ROWAN, have been on service in South Africa. Sergeant Mann, of Murchison, was also present. Dr Reid occupied the chair.

After ample justice had been done to the good things provided by Mr Lewis, Mr F. Campkin sang Khakee, and Sergeant Mann rendered The Soldier.

Mr Bromfield proposed The Returned Soldiers, and said that those who went away at their country's call whilst we remained at home and shared the credit of their doings, were entitled to great praise. When the war began there were some who did not care about allowing their men to go. He was one of those who, at the beginning, did not think they would be wanted. However, the Government had sent them forth with the hope that they might be able to assist, and some, he regretted, had not come back. He then called upon those present to drink to those who had returned after havng done their duty not only to the mother country but to Australia.

Song, Soldiers of the Queen, Mr Dolphin.

Private C. MILLER said he had received a great many welcomes since his return from S.A., and was pleased to be present that evening to do honour to Lance-corporal ROWAN.

Private FLETCHER maintained as English-born that wherever British interests were menaced they must assist the mother land, because in her strength lay theirs. Although he was a married man he was prepared to assist the old land at all times, and not only he but thousands of others would respond to the call. No matter when a large struggle came the Empire would come out on top, because the contest would be entered into with an honourable purpose. He had been asked by some Boer prisoners why he, as an Australian, had entered into the trouble, and had also been told that the Australians would rebel against England. But that would never be as they had the same blood in their veins.

Private LOCKWOOD who, by the way, lost the top one of his fingers in the war, gave a lengthy but very interesting account of the experiences of the 2nd Contingent under Colonel Price, during which he remarked that the Boers must have been very bad shots or a lot of them would never have come back safe and sound. They were fired on at very close range on several occasions, but, comparatively speaking, very few were hit. He paid a great compliment to the endurance of Tommy Atkins who, he said, walked 20 miles a day on quarter rations — one biscuit and a pound or meat, and sometimes he did not get the latter.

Privates VEARING and A. MILLER also briefly responded.

Song, Just for Curiosity, Mr Campkin.

Mr Dolphin then made the presentation to Lance-Corporal ROWAN. He said that at the beginning of the war one of their legislators had remarked that their men would only be put to do garrison duty in S.A.  But what was the result? They had given so good an account of themselves that they were looked upon as the stend-by of the nation. (Cheers). They had fought the Boers in their own manner, and had proved themselves more than a match for them. When their guest made application to go to the war he had volunteered his services without pay and also offered to find his own horse. (Applause). Donald MacDonald had said the Bushmen's Contingent — of which Lance-corporal ROWAN was a member — was one of the best fighting corps ever sent out. The Boers would have to give in as all other nations would have to do when they fought the Empire. (Cheers). He then presented Lance-corporal ROWAN with a very handsome medal, suitably inscribed, and a purse of sovereigns, remarking that he had acted a manly part and had done his duty right nobly and well. (Applause).

Song, I'm not Particular (encore); Up I Came with my Little Lot, Master T. Doherty.

Lance-corporal ROWAN, on rising to respond, was greeted with loud cheers. He said be was at a loss for words to tell them how grateful he was for their congratulations and handsome presentations, and only wished he possessed more eloquence in order to be able to do justice to his feelings. However, he felt as grateful at anyone possibly could. As Mr Dolphin had stated, he had offered to go without pay, and also to provide his own horse but when he got to S.A., he was glad they had not taken him at his word. He had seen a little real warfare, quite enough to give him an idea of what it was like. When he landed he was anxious to get to the front, and by joining the Artillery he was enabled to do so some months before those who went with him. He would always be proud or the fact that he was the first to represent Nagambie, and since his return he had been so well treated he felt it was Nagambie and nowhere else he belonged to. (Applause).

Mr Penrose proposed The Visiting Riflemen, coupled with the name of Sergeant Mann. A great number of riflemen had gone to the war, and this showed their willingness to assist the mother country in time of trouble.

Song, Mr Governs.

Sergeant Mann was pleased to be present to do honour to Lance-corporal ROWAN, and questioned whether that evening’s gathering had been eclipsed in the Valley, and he had been to a good many. The Valley had done its share in a great cause which was just about terminated. Some had been left behind, and they mourned the loss of those who had died fighting for their country. He represented one portion of B Company, and would be pleased to welcome any district applicants to the Murchison detachment. At one time there was a detachment in Nagambie, and he (the speaker) regretted that it had been disbanded.

Song, The Union Jack, Private C. MILLER.

Mr Burney proposed the toast of Absent Friends, which was drunk in solemn silence.

Mr Gerrard proposed a vole of thanks to Messrs Dolphin and Lewis, who initiated the gathering, remarking that they must be highly satisfied with the result when they looked round the room and saw the splendid gathering. He was glad Lance-corporal ROWAN — their one representative — had come back safe.

Mr W.S. Baud seconded the motion. The remarks dropped that night should give the proposal to form a rifle club a fresh impetus. They might as well strike the iron while it was hot and have another try. He had no doubt the club could he brought to a successful issue.

Song, The Wrong Way, Sergeant Mann.

Mr Dolphin, in reply, said that they had met with hardly a single refusal in their canvass for subscriptions. It was the unanimous wish that they should give their soldier a welcome home. Had they known the gathering was going to be so numerously attended they would have held it in the hall.

Mr Lewis also responded, remarking that their guest was an old apprentice of his. He was sorry the amount presented was not larger but hoped Lance-corporal ROWAN would accept it in the spirit in which it had been given.

Song, Private Davis.

Mr Gadd proposed the Press. He also said that the South African war had given Continental powers the biggest eye-opener they ever had to the Empire’s capabilities.

Song, Mr P. Nolan. Song, Jack’s Come Home, Mr W.S. Baud.

Mr Breasing[?] proposed The Accompanist, Mr Campkin remarking that it was not the first time he had given his services.