Medals and awards

Returned Soldiers Reception.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, —I wish to crave a small space in your columns to ask what has become of the movement initiated at Robertson two or three months ago to accord a public reception to the Lancers who have returned from Sonth Africa. At a meeting held early in February it was decided to suitably entertain them, and to present each one with a gold medal commemorative of his service in the Transvaal, while a strong committee was appointed to collect subscriptions and arrange other details. As a matter of fact subscription lists were opened, and I understand that a considerable amount was raised; but there the matter seems to have ended, and people are now asking is it intended to abandon the reception altogether, and if so, what will be done with the money collected?

ROBERTSON NEWS.

Presentation of Trophies.

A public meeting was held at the School of Arts, Robertson, on Tuesday evening, 25th inst., to witness the presentation of gold trophies to the members of the West Camden Lancers, who have lately returned from South Africa. W.R. Hindmarsh, Esq., J.P., in the chair. Others on the platform were — Captain McEvilly, Lieutenant Wood, the returned Lancers, Troopers BREW, BLENCOWE, BRESNAHAN, WARBY, McBARON, STEWART, WHELLER, and A.E. WOOD, and Troopers IRVINE, SINCLAIR and WHITE of the Mounted Infantry, also lately from the front.

The hall decorations were most effective, and reflected the very highest credit on the artistic tastes possessed by Mr and Mrs W. Vandenberg. At the back of the stage was the sentence "Soldiers of the King" in large white letters on a red background. At each side a little distance up were two lovely cabbage palms, while lower down were a couple of evergreen wreaths. A festoon of coloured paper added much to the general effect. At the front of the stage was a shield bearing the Coat of Arms, while branching out from each side was an Australian flag and a Union Jack. A couple of cabbage palms were brought into use, and with wreaths and coloured crinkled paper, quite a picture was formed. Cross lances and flags were used to decorate two of the windows, while greenery sufficed for the rest.

The chairman briefly explained the purpose for which the meeting had been called. He regretted to hear of Arthur TURNBULL's death at the Cape. He apologised for the absence of Trooper DAVIE, who had again gone to the front, Troopers TURNER and WALSH who were both too ill to attend, and Trooper AKERS who was unavoidably detained in Sydney. He was proud of the record of the New South Wales Lancers in South Africa, which was a very creditable one; in fact, the whole of the Australian troops had proved themselves equal to any of the British troops employed during the campaign. He had much pleasure in welcoming the returned Troopers, and as the committee had prepared a small musical entertainment, he would go on with the programme as follows: – Pianoforte duet, "Home Sweet Home", Misses Alice and Minnie Litchfield; song, "Dublin Bay", Miss Flo. Sweaney; recitation, Miss Molly Vandenbergh; song, "Just as the sun went down", Mr Norman Hall; song, "Maggie's Secret", Miss Albury; song, "Let me like a soldier fall", Mr W. Walsh; song, "The cows are in the clover", Miss Winne Litchfield; song, "Home they brought her warrior dead", Mrs Branch; recitation, Miss Lottie Vandenberg; song, "Jessie's dream", Miss Wearne.

Captain McEvilly expressed his pleasure in assisting at this function. Three years ago, the Lancers left for England for training purposes at Aldershot. When the war broke out the Lancers were first to volunteer for the front, and had proved themselves a credit not only to New South Wales but to Australia. They had upheld the honour and name of Australia. He was pleased to see them return safely. The returned troopers were about to receive trophies subscribed for by their friends, and they should consider it an honour to be treated as they had been.

Rev. F. Branch felt proud that his name was called; although at first he thought there would be nothing left for him to say, he thought he could now find something. Speeches were not the order of the night. Speakers do not contribute much to the amusement in an affair of this sort. He was pleased to be present. He was proud of our boys as guests on their return from South Africa, and proud that through God's blessing they had returned safely. Kind Providence had watched over them, and he was glad to see them and see they had been so protected. He was to read a piece of poetry, but would not, as he wished to see the medals presented. After quoting from "Sam Slick" the portion where Sam recommended anyone stuck for a speech to start on "Bunker Hill", he told the troopers that the audience would be only too pleased to hear some of their experiences in South Africa.

Mr J.T. Hayter was very pleased to see our boys return safely from the war. They had, no doubt, obtained a lot of experience during their absence.

Mr R.G. Ferguson said he was sincerely pleased to be present that night, and to say a few words of welcome to our returned soldiers. We were all proud to think that so many of our men were ready to obey the call when the Empire's bugle sounded for help. To leave a comfortable home, dear relatives and friends, and a peaceful and happy land for the unsettled and uncharitable veldt in South Africa required a good deal of nerve and pluck. That our Australians had that nerve and pluck there is no denying, for thousands volunteered to go to the war, and thousands were chosen; and the only dark blot on that great outburst of patriotic enthusiasm is that hundreds of those brave men have gone never to return, and all we can do is to cherish their memory and hand their names down to posterity. That our colonial soldiers are of the right calibre and stamp, and were all able to hold their own on the battlefield, and fight side by side with the trained soldiers of the motherland, has been clearly demonstrated, and referred to, time and again, by such men as Lord Roberts, Lord Kitchener, General Buller and others. If then so many men were willing to leave home and country, and go over the seas to fight for the grand old flag of England, surely it augurs well for our own land of Australia, if at any time the invader threatens our own hearths and homes; with such brave men as these we need not fear the result. I give our men a hearty welcome home and trust they may live long, with honour to themselves, their country, and their King.

Mr W.B. Keeble was pleased to be one to honour our boys, to welcome them home, and to congratulate thorn on their safe return. We all know that when England became involved in the South African war, that when in the early part of that she met with some reverses, her sons from all parts of the empire rallied round the old flag and went and fought shoulder to shoulder with the crack regiments of creation — with the stubborn English regiments, the celebrated Highlanders and the brave Irish Fusiliers, and fought in such a way as to win the eulogies of the best British commanders, and the admiration of their Imperial comrades. But to fully realise the importance of their actions we must look at results. Now, in the first place, their action has shown the European nations the might of the British Empire. The nations now know that when they attack the old lion they must also fight against her cubs, and ugly customers they will find them. They now realise there is no cutting the painter. Thus, the empire has been welded into closer union, the crimson thread of kinship has been strengthened, and that grand imperialistic idea — the unification of the English-speaking race throughout the world, has been helped forward a step. Then, again, we now know that the British race (as some pessimists would have us believe) has not deteriorated, that the pluck, endurance, and determination of that race is as strong as ever, and that we are, as we have been — the hereditary nobility of mankind. We also know that the colonials can fight, that they are men fit to face any foe; and it is very satisfactory now that a new nation has arisen to realise that we have men able and willing to defend our shores, for whether we believe in a Federal standing army or not we all must believe that in the near future we must be prepared to defend our shores. Earl Roberts said of our boys that they behaved as heroes in the field, and as gentlemen elsewhere. It is to be hoped that they will maintain that high reputation; then if they do, we shall always be, as we are now, proud of them.

Mr W.G. Warby considered it presumption on the part of the committee to ask him to make a speech. At one time he thought his son Joe was the fool of the family. If any of the company had a son or other relative going to the war they could sympathise with his feelings. It is a glorious thing to be ambitious. He then spoke of the splendid reports of British generals and other officers on the conduct of colonial troops, and thought Australia should be highly satisfied. He gave the men credit for not relating many of their exploits in South Africa. From what he had heard the men were often very hungry, and he believed the men had commandeered. The men must have suffered a great deal. They were short of clothing, indeed he might say many of them had none. He begged to apologise on behalf of his son Joe, who was unable to speak, and thanked the public for their attendance.

Mr G. Gill also made a few complimentary remarks, and was pleased that they had returned safely.

Mr Litchfield said he had been glad to be identified with this movement, and was pleased to see it culminate in so favourable a manner that evening. Whatever was their opinion of war in general or this war in particular they could all meet on common ground in doing honour to brave men. When the war commenced the offer of men by the colonies was received by the Imperial authorities without enthusiasm and it was probably more as a compliment than otherwise that the first contingents were taken on. Indeed so short-sighted were the authorities that infantry was asked for instead of cavalry, but as soon as the gravity of the situation, and the excellence of our troops, and their adaptability for the work on hand, became apparent, the call for more was almost urgent; and there can be hardly two opinions but that this costly, lengthy and bloody war would have been costlier, longer and bloodier if it had not been for the assistance rendered by the colonial contingents. Many lessons might be learned from the war, but it had demonstrated two things very clearly — the first was the actual unity of the empire, and secondly the ability of the principal colonies at all events to defend themselves successfully in case of need. It is questionable if there ever was more real fellowship with the home land than there is now, and the determination to make England's quarrels our quarrels, her joys our joys, and her sorrows our sorrows was widespread indeed. It might be asked why make England's quarrels our quarrels? It was because we had warrant in her dealings with the other nations and with ourselves during the past few years that she will do nothing of an unreasonable or immoral character. The ability of Australia to defend herself had been also demonstrated, he (Mr Litchfield) had often stood on the green and watched the local troops drilling, and while there had often heard many disparaging remarks as to how they would shape if confronted by a real enemy, it has now been proved that our troops are as brave and as ready of resource as any in the world, and we had no need to fear their ability to keep our land free from invaders. The dispatch of the various contingents had doubtless cost a lot of money, but it had been money well spent, because the experiences of the war if taken to heart by the military heads of the Commonwealth would save infinitely more than had been spent. He was glad to see the local troops home safe and sound, and hoped they would each feel pleasure at receiving the small tribute from the residents of the district that would be given them that evening.

Mr W. Graham, in one of his characteristic speeches, expressed delight at having the pleasure of seeing all the boys back again, and trusted they would soon be married.

Lieutenant Wood had much pleasure in welcoming the returned troopers, and was highly satisfied with the reports of their conduct during the campaign. He then spoke of the Lancers' departure to England two and a half years ago, and gave a short summary of the good work they had done up to the present date.

The chairman then presented trophies to Troopers P. BREW, A. BLENCOWE, P. BRESNAHAN, M. McBARON, W. STEWART, J. WARBY, R. WHELLER, and A.E. WOOD. He hoped they might long live to wear them, and wished them joy and prosperity.