State: New South Wales, Australia
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 25/06/1901
Number issued: 6
Gold medals, suitably inscribed, to:
"B" Squadron, New South Wales Citizens' Bushmen –
182 Trooper Robert LEVETT
166 Trooper John Eyres MILLIGAN
"C" Squadron, New South Wales Citizens' Bushmen –
302 Trooper Charles Frederick Holer MONK
"D" Squadron, New South Wales Citizens' Bushmen –
352 Trooper Frederick G. BULLOCK
365 Trooper Charles RITCHIE
New South Wales Citizens' Bushmen –
??? Trooper J. CHARLTON (either 183 Trooper John Charlton, "B" Squadron, or 546 Trooper John Leydon Charlton, "D" Squadron)
Presentation made in the Assembly Hall, Narromine.
The ceremony was something of a shambles, with considerable disorder in the hall. Tables were broken, and the soldiers' speeches were completely drowned out by the rowdy audience.
Narromine News, 21/06/1901
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Narromine News, 7th June 1901
Our Boys Return from South Africa.
Some 18 months ago when the Narromine members of the Bushmen's Contingent left for the seat of war in South Africa, much regret was felt by the citizens of this town, that owing to their sudden departure, and the want of timely notice, it was impossible to give them such a send-off as was desired, but this will be rectified on their return, for, on Friday night a meeting, convened by Mr T.M. Denton, was held at Cowell's Hotel, to take steps to commemorate the return of Messrs BULLOCK, CHARLTON, MONK, MILLIGAN and LEVETT, now on board the steamer Morayshire, due in Sydney about the middle of next week. There was a very large attendance, all sections of the community being represented, and much enthusiasm was shown. Mr W. O'Neill was voted to the chair, and at once called on Mr Denton to explain the objects of the meeting. Mr Denton in an impassioned speech referred to the patriotism displayed by the members of the Bushmen's Contingent, their soldierly like conduct and bravery in action, and commended them for their readiness in fighting for the Empire of which we formed an integral part. He considered that some steps should be taken to give them a fitting reception on their return to Narromine. After some discussion it was decided to entertain the returning Bushmen at a smoke concert in the Assembly Hall on a suitable date and to present each with a gold medal suitably inscribed. A committee to carry out details was appointed consisting of the Chairman, and Messrs Nelson, Bell, Wren, Cohen, etc., with Mr Denton as secretary and treasurer. About £13 was collected in the room, and with further subscriptions the secretary has now about £20 in hand.
The Dubbo Liberal, 29th June 1901
NARROMINE.
June 27.
The smoke concert tendered to our returned warriors was held on Tuesday night, and can hardly be termed a success. The hall was crowded far beyond the committee's expectations. ll the available sitting room at the long tables (four in number), each of which reached the entire length of the hall, was taken up long before the soldiers arrived, headed by the town band. It was then seen that the accommodation was insufficient, and a great scramble for positions took place; when a little order was restored, the Chairman (Mr Nelson) proposed the health of the King, after which Mr O'Neill in a vigorous speech proposed the health of the guests of the evening, which was the signal for applause such as has never been heard in the hall before. Mr Nelson then presented each of them with a gold medal on behalf of the citizens of Narromine for services rendered in the South African war. Each of the recipients tried to thank the donors for the medals and reception, but their voices were completely drowned with the singing and hurrahing of a number of enthusiastic friends in the hall. Mr Cohen in his usual masterly manner proposed the toast of Parliament, which was very ably responded to by Mr McGill. He kept the audience at bay for some time, defending the late Parliament for the action they had taken in sending troops to the South African war, and complimented Narromine for sending such a number of braves to bear the brunt of the battle. The vast crowd by this time had complete charge of the hall, and began to move about in a rolling mass, in spite of the vigorous efforts of the committee to keep them in their place. The long tables soon gave way under the heavy strain upon them, depositing their contents onto the floor below. Trooper LEVITT mounted the stage to give the audience some idea of the hardships they had gone through, but his voice was completely overpowered by the cheering below. Although a number of other toasts and songs were down on the programme, they had to be abandoned on account of the disorder of the assemblage. There is no doubt it will be a lesson to all future committees of this kind that they require a little better management.
