State: Manitoba, Canada
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 01/02/1901
Number issued: 1
Gold locket & chain, suitably inscribed, and address, to:
OUR SOLDIER’S RETURN.
The reception tendered D’Arcy E. BOULTON, Friday evening last, on his return from South Africa, was one of which any citizen might well feel proud. The Foresters’ Hall was tastefully decorated for the occasion with flags, bunting and pictures. Over the stage were the words, “Welcome Home” arranged with other suitable emblems and decorations, the handiwork of Mr A.B. Callin, evincing skill and taste. The hall itself has perhaps never held such a representative gathering, all parts of the county being represented. Reeve McDonagh efficiently discharged the duties of chairman. On the platform were Mr Struthers, Dr Wright, A.B. Callin, A.G.P. Smellie, and Revs Bartlett, Dyer and MacKay, with Mr BOULTON.
Reeve McDonagh stated the object of the gathering and expressed the pleasure all felt in giving a hearty welcome home to one who had represented us in the war in South Africa.
Rev. Mr Bartlett spoke in high terms of Mr BOULTON as a citizen, and both by reason of his personal qualities and by his family history, thought the citizens of Russell were fortunate in having him as their quota in the South Africa contingents.
Rev. Mr Dyer spoke in similar terms and touched upon the pleasure it must have given Mr BOULTON’s mother, having sent her son to the war with her blessing, now to receive him to her home again.
Mt Struthers as an old acquaintance of the family briefly reviewed his intimacy with the late Senator Boulton since his coming into the country in the Seventies, and also expressed his pleasure in being present to welcome his son on his return.
Rev. Mr MacKay heartily joined with the others in saying , “Welcome home”, and briefly touched upon the war and the healthful influence it might exercise upon all British citizens. The addresses were interspersed with songs by Messrs Roberts, Matheson, Tingley and Sommerville. One of the most pleasing features of the programme was the singing of “The Soldiers of the Queen”, by twelve little girls under the direction of Miss Gordon, which reflected great credit upon her careful training.
Reeve McDonagh then read an address of welcome to Mr BOULTON, which was accompanied by the presentation of a chain and locket, suitably engraved.
TO D’ARCY E. BOULTON,
Canadian Mounted Rifles.
It is with feelings of great joy and deep gratitude to Him in whose hands lie all things, that we, people of Russell and vicinity, join in welcoming you on your return from the battlefields of South Africa. We united in wishing you God-speed when, following out the traditions of your family, other duties were laid aside at the call for volunteers, and you went forth from among us to fight the Empire’s battles in a far land, and now on your return, we wish to express our gratification that our predictions and hopes concerning you have been fulfilled beyond our best expectations. We have followed with interest the great contest in which you have had the honour of partaking, and have been thrilled with admiration and delight at the magnificent achievements of yourself and your comrades, winning in the face of unprecedented difficulties, for yourselves and our loved Dominion, undying affection and gratitude from the parent land and notable distinction among your comrades from all parts of the worldwide Empire. But while we thus utter the joy we feel in your safe return we cannot but refer to the sadness which tempers our joy in remembering the sacrifices entailed. South African graves, numbered by vacancies in British homes, and the loss of Her for whom you fought and whom we mourn, combine to sadden our hearts even in our rejoicing, our sorrow showing us anew the great debt we owe to you, our soldiers. That you may in the future be reminded of our greetings on your home-coming, we would ask you to accept the accompanying souvenir from friends in the neighbourhood, on behalf of whom this is signed by
Russell, Feb, 1st, 1901.
