State: New South Wales, Australia
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 04/03/1901
Number issued: 2
Gold medals of the regiment, to:
Surgeon-Major Thomas Henry FIASCHI
NEW SOUTH WALES LANCER REGIMENT.
ENTHUSIASTIC SEND-OFF
There was a large gathering the officers of the New South Wales Lancers Regiment yesterday afternoon in the Orderly Room, Chancery Square for the purpose of wishing "bon voyage" to the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men who formerly belonged to the Lancers Regiment and were about to proceed to South Africa with the Imperial Draft Contingent. Occasion was also taken to welcome back Surgeon-Major FIASCHI. The chair was occupied by Lieutenant-Colonel Burns, who stated that within the next two week 2,000 troops would be leaving for the front. New South Wales was the first colony to land colonial troops in South Africa, and had also the proud distinction of having kept more men at the front than any other colony. There were in the present draft from 15 to 18 officers, besides N.C.O. and men drawn from the New South Wales Regiment of Lancers. He was very glad to see so many anxious to go. He was also pleased that an opportunity had arisen to blend the Lancers and Mounted Rifles, and he would like to see established in the future a composite regiment, lightly accoutred. He and the company present were proud of those who were leaving for the front, and to all he extended the wish for a pleasant passage. While away he was confident they would keep up the credit of this regiment to which they were attached. He wished them Godspeed, and proposed their health. The toast was honoured with enthusiasm.
Captain Heron and Lieutenant Middleton responded.
The chairman again rising, said he had a very pleasing duty to perform, which was the presentation to Surgeon-Major FIASCHI of a souvenir of their esteem. They extended to him a cordial welcome back from service in South Africa, where the work performed by him was known throughout the Empire (Applause). It was intended to present that day an illuminated address, but as it was not quite completed he would read a copy. It was a follows: – "Dear Major, – We, the undersigned, your old comrades of the New South Wales Lancer Regiment, in which you held an honorary commission for a period of nearly 10 years, desire to record the great pride with which we followed the exceptionally brilliant way in which you performed your duties while on active service in South Africa. It has been recognised throughout the Empire that the Corps to which you were attached was a model and example to the whole British army, and the prompt and skilful treatment of the wounded probably saved many lives which would otherwise have been lost. We know that you have ever gloried in good work in Australia, in Abyssinia, and in South Africa, and we, the officers of the New South Wales Lancers Regiment, would ask you to accept this our modest tribute, together with the Gold Medal of the Regiment, and a small souvenir for Madame Fiaschi". He also presented to Major FIASCHI the Gold Medal of the Regiment, and to Madame Fiaschi a solid silver salver suitably inscribed.
Surgeon-Major FIASCHI, who had a most cordial reception, expressed the pride he felt at receiving the Gold Medal of the Regiment of Lancers. He had been one of the medical officers of that regiment for many years, and was proud of it. He hardly possessed the necessary eloquence to show how he appreciated and cherished the gift, but he assured them he esteemed it most highly. He felt something like a deserter when he left the regiment to serve with the A.M.C., but in that he was only obeying orders. During the campaign he had learned one lesson, and that was to obey orders and take the position assigned to him. This campaign had also shown the importance of mounted forces, but the question of armament was purely a matter of detail. In his wife's name and in his own he again thanked them for the honour conferred upon him. To those departing for the front, he said, he wished all success and luck, and hoped to see them back full of honours and good health.
Captain Purves then, on behalf of the officers of the regiment, presented Major COX with the gold medal of the regiment, and in a happy speech referred to the good work performed by him and those under his charge in South Africa.
