State: South Australia
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 23/08/1901 [06/09/1901]
Number issued: 1
Gold medal, to:
Presentation originally to have been made during the "welcome-home", held in the Agricultural Hall, Narracoorte. However, due to the medal not being ready on time, it was eventually presented by Mr W. Shoebridge at a smaller function at Syme's Hotel.
Inscribed: "Presented to Trooper J. Jewell, first volunteer from Narracoorte for service in South Africa, August 23, 1901".
The medal, ordered from a jeweller in Adelaide, did not arrive in time for the presentation.
Medal eventually presented on 06/09/1901, at Symes's Hotel, by Mr W. Shoebridge.
"He being the first volunteer from Narracoorte for South Africa it is proposed giving him a welcome on Friday evening in the Agricultural Hall and presenting him with a gold medal from the residents". It appears that Jewell was the only man to receive a medal, simply because he was the "first volunteer from Narracoorte".
Trooper H.J. Forster, who returned to Narracoorte on 14th August, does not appear to have been similarly honoured.
A PATRIOTIC MEETING.
A WELCOME TO TROOPER JEWELL.
Narracoorte has had several patriotic meetings at intervals during the progress of the South African war, but they have as a rule been held to mark some prominent victory the British have achieved in the war, such as the relief of Ladysmith and Mafeking. They have all been well attended, enthusiastic gatherings, showing that the Narracoorte people are loyal to their nationality; and the one held in the Agricultural Hall on Friday night to welcome Trooper JEWELL back from the war was none the less enthusiastic than previous ones. Of course, the occasion did not appeal to public sentiment so generally as events in connection with the war which have been fraught with more than ordinary importance to British arms. The war is fast fizzling out. It is true that Boer commandos roam through the country seeking whom they may devour, and in their roaming through the country of such vast extent and so thinly populated they are bound to knock up against weak spots. It is generally recognised that their roving and determined commandos under bitter leaders have given the British soldiers harder work and tougher fighting than when both sides were organized fully prepared to contest every inch of ground; and therefore, the colonial contingents that went late into the campaign have had more than their ordinary share of danger and hardships. Trooper JEWELL was among those who had his full share of fighting, having been fourteen months in the battlefield, and as he was the first from Narracoorte who joined a colonial contingent it was thought only due to him to give him some kind of welcome on returning home, even though the heated glamour of the war had worn out a bit, and also to give him a small memento of the occasion. It is recognised that Joe, as he is familiarly known by his pals, is quite an unassuming warrior and does not say much about what he did at the front. However, he could not be at the war fourteen months — a long time for a member of a colonial contingent — without doing some good work. Messrs L. DeGaris and D. Caldwell, assisted by one or two others, organised the welcome home meeting, and there was a hearty response considering it was got up at such short notice. The hall was well filled and all the prominent townspeople were present. The Narracoorte Brass Band and the School Drum and Fife Band readily consented to give their services, and Mr M. Read very kindly provided traps to drive the bands through the streets of the town before the meeting commenced. Mr R. Symes, of the Commercial Hotel, decorated the hall for the occasion. The hall showed that some excellent improvements had been made to it recently. The first thing that attracted attention was the improvement in the lighting by the installation of acetylene gas. It gave the hall an improved appearance. Then the next alteration that attracted attention was the stone dais which has been specially erected for the piano. This dais also makes a good platform and this increases the room of the hall.
Mr L. DeGaris, J.P., opened the proceedings by explaining the circumstances under which the meeting was called. Mr JEWELL was the first of their young men to go to the war, and as they were pleased to see that he had returned safe and sound a few of them set about to give him a welcome. They remembered that he was one of their residents, that his parents had lived here for a number of years, and that they were favourably known. It was no doubt an important incident in a young man's life to take up arms on behalf of his country and fight for what many of them thought was justice and right, and they had come to the conclusion that they should do something to impress the sacrifice he had made upon himself and others. He did not expect such a large gathering, but it showed that the old patriotic spirit was still abroad. For Trooper JEWELL's sake he was pleased to see such a large and representative gathering and he hoped it would go off pleasantly. The first business would be the election of a chairman.
On the proposition of Mr A. Caldwell, seconded by Mr G. Platt, Mr L. DeGaris was voted to the chair.
The meeting was opened by the singing of the Doxology by the audience.
The Chairman read apologies from Lieut. Findlater, O.C. of the Narracoorte Mounted Rifles, and from Mr J.L. Lewis for non-attendance. Both expressed their regret at not being able to be present to felicitate Trooper JEWELL upon his safe return and to join in the eulogies passed upon him for the good work he had done in Sonth Africa.
After an overture by the Narracoorte Brass Band, the Chairman, in a brief speech, opened the proceedings. Short speeches were then made by a number of townsmen, breathing a hearty welcome to Trooper JEWELL and eulogising him for the part he played in the war. Mr A. Attiwill, J.P., referred to the interesting gatherings they had on the occasion of the relief of Ladysmith and Mafeking, and was glad to see such a splendid meeting as they had that night, showing that they thoroughly appreciated the part the Australians played in a war which would be memorable for all time. He made reference to the cause of the war, held it was justifiable, and that therefore it was a righteous war. He felt proud of the part Australians had taken in it, and with hearty feelings he welcomed back Trooper JEWELL after fourteen months' campaigning. He was glad to hear that he was not a day off duty. (Trooper JEWELL interjected that he was a fortnight off duty).
Mr Jas. McGilchrist, J.P., referred to it being the third time they had met to celebrate events in connection with the war, and that he was pleased to welcome Trooper JEWELL back after fighting for the good old flag they all felt so proud of, and which had braved the battle and the breeze for 1,000 years, and they hoped it would wave with as much influence and success for another 1,000 years. He was pleased to see so many Australians going to fight for the old flag — fighting for justice and liberty — and he was proud of their deeds of valour. It was a magnificent advertisement for 'Australia, and one which could not fail to be of benefit to all. One thing above all that it demonstrated and that was Australia could take care of herself. He was glad to welcome one who had gone from their midst to uphold the flag and the prestige of the British Empire.
Quartermaster-Sergeant G. Lambert, on behalf of the Narracoorte Mounted Rifles, welcomed Trooper JEWELL back. He thought the Governments of Australia should do more than what they had done for the returned soldiers.
Mr A. Wallace, J.P., also joined, in the congratulations to Trooper JEWELL.
Mr L.C.W. Wilcken, in a neat speech, also gave Trooper JEWELL a hearty welcome home. He thought they could not honour their returned soldiers too much, for they had been a credit and an honour to Australians.
Mr R. Symes also spoke words of welcome, and expressed the opinion that in going to South Africa Trooper JEWELL was the right man in the right place.
Mr W. Shoebridge also made an enthusiastic speech, and said that they should do every honour to Trooper JEWELL because he had been bred and born among them, and had proved himself to be made of the right stuff. He called for three cheers for Trooper JEWELL’s mother and father, who had been old residents of the district. The cheers were heartily given.
Mr J.B. Bennett joined in the welcome to Trooper JEWELL, and made a humorous and characteristic speech.
Mr A. Caldwell also said a few words.
The Chairman also made an interesting speech, reviewing the principal incidents of the war, mentioning that the war commenced on the 11th of October, 1899, and that the relief of Ladysmith cost the British from first to last 5,158 men, killed, wounded, and prisoners.
Mr W.F. Loutit said he felt pretty nervous in getting up to speak for more reasons than one. He had been deputed to hand Trooper JEWELL a gold medal suitably inscribed, and purchased by subscriptions given generally by the townspeople. This medal had been ordered and was to have been there that night, but through some muddle it had not arrived. The show, therefore, that evening was like the play of Hamlet without the ghost. He regretted very much that the medal was not to hand, but though very annoying it could not be helped. They had to make the best of things as they found them, but he could assure Trooper JEWELL and the audience that the medal would arrive, and that when it did it would be handed over to him. He hoped the guest of the evening would take the will for the deed and feel as pleased as if he had been presented with the medal.
Trooper JEWELL, on being called by the chairman to respond, received a magnificent ovation from the audience, but contended himself with a brief speech, He was happy to meet them, but had not the gifts of speech, therefore they had to excuse him. He had seen a good bit of fighting and the heaviest fighting he was in was at Bethlehem.
The whole proceedings were interspersed with songs, instrumental selections by the bands, and recitations. Miss Lawrence sang "Loyal Volunteers" with good effect; Misses Schinckel and DeGaris sang with much taste "Hark to the Mandoline". Mr George Frances received a good reception for his local topical song, and responded to an encore; Mr Onions sang in excellent style "The Runaway Musketeer", and "Sally", receiving an encore for the latter; Mr C. Schinckel sang effectively the patriotic number "The Empress of the Wave"; Master E. Knightly recited in good style "The Hero of the Alma", and Miss Blake sang effectively and with good voice "Cheer up and never say Die", which received an encore.
The Chairman said they were indebted for assistance to a number in getting up the entertainment that evening. Mr Symes had kindly lent the decorations, and the various performers had come cheerfully forward to make the gathering a success. They were also indebted for the assistance given by both bands.
On the proposition of Mr W.F. Loutit a general and comprehensive vote of thanks was passed to all who had assisted at the meeting, and it was carried by acclamation.
NARRACOORTE.
August 26.
TROOPER JOE JEWELL'S MEDAL.
It will be remembered that at the welcome demonstration given recently to Trooper Joe JEWELL, the gold medal it was then intended to present to the returned soldier had not arrived in time to hand it over at the meeting. The medal has since arrived. It represents a shield, with a soldier on one side and the following inscription on the other: – "Presented to Trooper J. Jewell, first volunteer from Narracoorte for service in South Africa, August 23, 1901".
