State: Victoria, Australia
Issued on: Departure & Return
Dates of presentations: aft. 13/01/1900 (departure), aft. 23/04/1900 (departure), 08/01/1902 (return)
Number issued: 13 lockets + 10 medals
Gold lockets (departure) & gold medals (return), to:
aft. 13/01/1900 presentation (departure; lockets)
1st Victorian Mounted Infantry Company [1st Victorian Contingent] –
34 Private Alfred Henry SLATTER
61 Private William George WILLIAMSON (absent - medal handed to his father)
2nd Victorian (Mounted Rifles) Contingent –
214 Sergeant Henry James HISCOCK (died, Bloemfontein, 19/05/1900 - did his family receive a medal?)
212 Private Thomas Edwin AICKEN
213 Private William henry PENNO
215 Private Hubert James WILLIAMSON (absent - medal handed to his father)
and two unnamed volunteers
"a gold locket ........ is being procured for presentation to each of the eight representatives of this district with the first and second contingents" (Melbourne Age, 13/01/1900).
aft. 23/04/1900 presentation (departure; lockets)
4th Victorian (Imperial Bushmen's) Contingent –
485 Sergeant-Major Samuel McKAY
498 Lance-Corporal George Edminstone JEFFERY
256 Private Arthur MAHONEY
213 Private Arthur George WILLIAMS (absent - in S. Afica)
225 Private Edward Patrick MOLLOY (absent - in S. Africa)
The lockets "had not arrived in time, but would be forwarded to the Adjutant, Captain Paterson, requesting him to present them to the men on parade on behalf of the residents of Pyramid Hill".
08/01/1902 presentation (return; medals)
1st Victorian Mounted Infantry Company [1st Victorian Contingent] –
34 Private Alfred Henry SLATTER
61 Private William George WILLIAMSON (absent - medal handed to his father)
2nd Victorian (Mounted Rifles) Contingent –
214 Sergeant Henry James HISCOCK (died, Bloemfontein, 19/05/1900 - did his family receive a medal?)
212 Private Thomas Edwin AICKEN
213 Private William henry PENNO
215 Private Hubert James WILLIAMSON (absent - medal handed to his father)
4th Victorian (Imperial Bushmen's) Contingent –
485 Sergeant-Major Samuel McKAY
498 Lance-Corporal George Edminstone JEFFERY
256 Private Arthur MAHONEY
213 Private Arthur George WILLIAMS (absent - in S. Afica)
225 Private Edward Patrick MOLLOY (absent - in S. Africa)
Presentation made by Mr McColl, at the Victoria Hall, Pyramid Hill.
The departure locket was described as "a handsome gold locket, with an engraving of a mounted rifleman and a suitable inscription" (Melbourne Age, 13/01/1900).
Sergeant-Major McKay also received a departure pendant from the local branch of the Australian Natives’ Association.
Private Arthur Mahoney had already received a departure medal from the people of Calivil.
Private Alred Slatter appears to have received a second gold medal from the district of Boort, presented in June 1900.
Oz-Boer Database links the report of this presentation to 36 Private George Sutherland Williamson and 61 Private William George Williamson, both members of 1st Victoran Mounted Infantry Company [1st Victorian Contingent]. Melbourne Argus has "G.W. Williamson".
Melbourne Argus, 13/01/1902
Oz-Boer Database
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Melbourne Age, 3rd January 1900
PYRAMID HILL, Tuesday.
There was an enthusiastic display of loyalty at the railway station today, when Sergeant HISCOCK, Privates AICKEN, PENNO and H. WILLIAMSON left for Melbourne, en route for South Africa. The volunteers marched to the station in company of their comrades, and headed by a brass band. Dr Bell, chairman of the patriotic fund commitee, announced that there would be a presentation to each, as well as to those of the first contingent, of a gold inscribed locket as a souvenir. The men left amidst the great cheering of the crowd that thronged the station. The National Anthem was played by the band, and detonators were exploded.
Melbourne Argus, 4th January 1900
PYRAMID HILL.
Tuesday.
This morning four members of the local detachment of the Mounted Rifles who were selected for service in South Africa, viz., Sergeant H. HISCOCK, Privates H. WILLIAMSON, W.H. PENNO, jun., and Thomas E. AICHEN, left for Melbourne. On their arrival in town, at half-past 6 a.m., a procession was formed by the residents, headed by the local brass band, and they were escorted to the station. Dr G. Bill, on behalf of the residents, eulogised the men for their patriotism and bravery in volunteering for service, and wished them a safe return home. Sergeant HISCOCK suitably replied. Great enthusiasm was shown, and the riflemen were the recipients of suitable presents.
Melbourne Age, 13th January 1900
PYRAMID HILL, Friday.
A handsome gold locket, with an engraving of a mounted rifleman and a suitable inscription, is being procured for presentation to each of the eight representatives of this district with the first and second contingents to South Africa.
Melbourne Argus, 25th April 1900
PYRAMID HILL.
On Monday evening the local branch of the Australian Natives’ Association presented Mr S. McKAY, a member of the Australian Imperial Regiment, of the branch, with one of the association’s gold pendants. He also received an inscribed gold locket from the townspeople, and a pair of field-glasses from the employees of the firm of Messrs John McKay and Co. The local brass band, of which he was a member, gave him a hearty “send-off”.
Bendigo Advertiser, 26th April 1900
FAREWELL TO A PYRAMID HILL RESIDENT.
A large and enthusiastic meeting was held in the Victoria Hall, Pyramid Hill, on Monday night to say au revoir to Private S. McKAY, who has been selected for South Africa. The local branch of the A.N.A., of which he was a member, through its president, Mr P. Real, presented him with a gold trinket – a circle containing the letters, "A.N.A."
Private McKAY feelingly returned thanks. He was also made the recipient of a handsome pair of field glasses by the firm and employees of McKay and Co., with whose establishment he was connected. Sergeant Kelly, of the local detachment of V.M.R., announced that, unfortunately, the gold lockets which were to have been presented to Privates S. McKAY, A.G. WILLIAMS, G.E. JEFFREY, E.P. MOLLOY, and A. MAHONEY, all from the Pyramid Hill district, had not arrived in time, but would be forwarded to the Adjutant, Captain Paterson, requesting him to present them to the men on parade on behalf of the residents of Pyramid Hill.
Private McKAY was accorded a great send-off by the mid-day train on Tuesday, a procession of over 200 people, headed by the Town Band, playing military airs, and members of the V.M.R. carrying the Union Jack, marching to the railway station. Hearty cheers were given as the train moved off and exploded the detonators which had been placed on the line.
Bendigo Advertiser, 10th January 1902
PRESENTATIONS TO RETURNED SOLDIERS.
Pyramid Hill, 9th January.
A large number of residents assembled at the Victoria Hall yesterday afternoon to witness the presentation of gold medals that had been provided by public subscription to those who had returned from the war. The chair was occupied by Dr Bill, who had on his right Mr J.H. McColl, M.P., Privates SLATTER, AITKEN [sic] and PENNO; and on his left, Mr J. Cullen, M.L.A., Sergeant-Major McKAY, Lance-Corporal JEFFERY, and Private A. MAHONEY. The chairman, after a few remarks, called upon Mr McColl to make the presentations. Those soldiers named received their medals and suitably acknowledged them. Private G. WILLIAMSON, who has been accepted for the Federal Contingent, and H.J. WILLIAMSON, his brother, were unavoidably absent, and their medals were handed to their father. Privates A. WILLIAMS and E.P. MOLLOY, who are still in Africa, will have their medals forwarded to them. The following addressed the meeting: — Mr Cullen. Lieut. Royan (V.M.R.), Quartermaster-Sergeant Kelly, Presidents Gordon Shire, Tragowell Trust and A.N.A., Revs. White and Angwin, and others. The medals are of a neat design.
Bendigo Independent, 10th January 1902
MEDALS AT PYRAMID HILL.
INTERESTING PATRIOTIC ADDRESSES.
Wednesday was the day chosen to present the returned South African soldiers with the medals subscribed for by the public of this district. The chair (says our local correspondent) was occupied by Dr Bill, and the others on the platform were the returned soldiers: — S.M. S. McKAY, Lance-Corporal JEFFREY, Privates PENNO, MAHONEY, AITKEN [sic] and SLATTER. The Hon. J.H. McColl, M.H.R., J. Cullen, M.L.A., and Q.M.S. Kelly. There were 10 medals, but only six were presented yesterday, two of the men — Privates WILLIAMS, of Mologa, and MOLLOY, of Pyramid, being still at the front and Private G. WILLIAMSON being in camp at Langwarrin on his way back to South Africa with the sixth contingent. Lieutenant Ryan, of the V.M.R., and Q.M.S. Kelly, welcomed the men on behalf of the military, pointing out the pleasure they felt at seeing their comrades back from the war, where they had so ably represented the State and the branch of the military to which they belonged, Q.M.S. Kelly laying stress on the fact that the wiseacres used to say in the days gone by, when speaking of colonial volunteers, that they would get behind the first tree or stone available as soon as a foe hove in sight. But events had proved the reverse, and had shown clearly that our boys could hold their own with any soldiers in the world in the battlefield. So far from running away, they went a long way to meet the enemy, and fight for the standard of the Empire. They were worthy sons of worthy sires, and he wished them long life and happiness to wear the medals they had so honourably earned on the battlefields of South Africa. The only tinge of regret in the matter was that one who went did not return (Sergeant HISCOCK). His death they all sincerely lamented.
The medals were then presented by Mr McColl, and each of the recipients returned thanks and related some of their war experiences. Mr McColl, in presenting the medals, paid a tribute to the good qualities shown by the recipients, and urged the young people to remember that day and to act in such a way during their lives that they, too, would receive their reward in due time. Mr A.E. Smith, J.P., outlined the good work done by the various contingents. Mr T. Barrows, representing the Tragowell Trust, had a good word to for the guests, and a fairly strong one for the man who brought disaster on them at Wilmansrust, and then called them "white-livered curs". Several speakers referred to this unfortunate expression, and condemned the utterer in the bitterest words. Amongst the several critics of the officer in question was Mr W. Walden, the president of the local A.N.A. The Rev. Mr White pointed out how unjust it was to use such words to men who had done so much in South Africa, and who were admitted by military authorities on every nation to be most successful soldiers in the methods of Boer warfare. It was a standing remark that the colonials were the only troops who could beat the Boers at their own game. Cr. W. Clark. J.P., president of the Gordon Shire Council, bore testimony to the good work done by the boys at the front, and was sure that when the time came that the Empire wanted soldiers for a just cause the young men from these States would be found in the front ranks. (Hear, hear). The Rev. Mr Angwin followed, and after congratulating the returned soldiers on the part they had played in the war, referred to the pro-Boerism of some Continental papers, and the foul calumnies that were levelled at the heads of the British soldiers. He took that occasion to say in public that no one believed the things said, and if there had been any truth in them there would be no welcome either in England or here for the soldiers concerned.
