Country: New Zealand
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 20/06/1901
Number issued: 1
Gold albert & Maltese cross, to:
3rd New Zealand Mounted Rifles –
694 Trooper Robert David SMITH
Presentation made by Mr David Ross, in the Redcliff schoolroom.
Obverse: "Presented to Trooper R.D. Smith by Redcliff friends on his return from South Africa".
Reverse: "Third Contingent, N.Z.M.R., June 20th, 1901".
_______________________________________
Waimate Daily Advertiser, 29th June 1901
Presentation to Trooper R.D. Smith.
On Thursday evening a large number of friends of Trooper SMITH met in the Redcliff schoolroom to present him with some tangible token of the esteem in which he was hold by his friends in the Redcliff district, where he had formerly resided for some years. During his stay at Redcliff, Trooper SMITH had endeared himself to a large number of acquaintances by many unostentatious acts of kindness, and was an ardent promoter of all social functions held in the school. On behalf of the subscribers, Mr David Ross handed Trooper SMITH a handsome albert chain of Waitaki gold with a Maltese cross attached, bearing on one side the inscription, “Presented to Trooper R.D. Smith by Redcliff friends on his return from South Africa”, and on the reverse side, “Third Contingent, N.Z.M.R., June 20th, 1901”. Mr Ross said that owing to the illness of one of the subscribers, Mr A. McNeil, it was at first thought desirable to postpone the presentation, but that gentleman wished the recipient to have an opportunity of displaying his present to his late comrades in arms at the coming gathering in Christchurch to welcome His Royal Highness the Duke of York. Trooper SMITH, in thanking his friends for such a beautiful and unexpected present, disclaimed any pretensions of being a hero. He, in common with all colonials, had tried to do his duty, and if the Mother Country again required his services be would be pleased and proud to offer them. The company then drank the gallant soldier’s health, accompanied with musical honours. Dancing was kept up till morning. Mr J. Wall was an efficient M.C. and Mr W. Bain played with his usual skill. The refreshment department was ably attended by Misses Cameron, Wall and Anning, helped by the willing assistance of several bachelors. Several ladies and gentlemen sang some very pleasing songs during the gathering. It is to be hoped that the early termination of the Transvaal war, with consequent return of Troopers GEDDES and SCOTT to their homes at Redcliff, will enable a similar pleasing function to be shortly repeated.
EMBARKATION DATABASE
Surname: SMITH
Reg No: 694
Given Names: Robert David
Contingent: Third
Rank: Private
Unit: No 5 Company
Joined from: none
County/City: Waimate
Age: 26 years, 5 months
Occupation: Shepherd
Ship: “Knight Templar”, 17 February 1900
Address: St Andrew's, Waimate
Next of Kin: Smith, Mr John
Next of Kin Address: Waimate
Relationship to Soldier: unknown
