State: New South Wales, Australia
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 21/01/1901
Number issued: 3
Gold medals, suitably inscribed, to:
125 Private [Despatch Officer] Robert Moore BAXTER
2551 Bombardier Charles Richard WILSON
Presentation made at the Royal Hotel, Springwood.
Inscribed: "On return from the Transvaal War. Jan. 21st, 1901. From Springwood friends to ________ ".
RETURNED SOLDIERS.
SPRINGWOOD, Tuesday.
Private R.M. BAXTER (of the Mounted Infantry), Bombardier Charles WILSON, and Private James GREEN (of the Ambulance Corps) attended at the Royal Hotel last night a smoke concert tendered them by the residents of Springwood on their safe return from the Transvaal. Colonel Parrott, of Lawson, of the Engineer Corps, who had also lately returned, was also present by invitation. The chair was taken by Mr S.E. Lees, M.L.A. for the district, and about 30 gentlemen were present to welcome the returned soldiers. Songs and recitations were given by different persons, and the health of the soldiers was proposed amidst great cheering. Gold medals, engraved with suitable words were presented to the three men, each of whom responded in happy terms. Colonel Parrott, in responding to the toast of his health, gave an interesting address respecting the events in South Africa in which he had taken part, and volunteered the opinion that of all troops there the Australians made the best scouts. A very pleasant evening was spent, and more would have been present but for the tremendous rainstorm.
Springwood.
On Monday evening 21st inst., the "Springwood contingent" were entertained at a Smoke Concert held at the Royal Hotel. Among those present were Mr S.E. Lees, M.L.A., Mr A. Colless and Colonel Parrott from Hazelbrook. The returned soldiers are Bombardier WILSON of "A" Battery, Lance-Corporal GREEN of "A.M.C." and Despatch Officer BAXTER. Mr S.E. Lees took the chair and F. Tanner presided at the piano.
The three soldiers were presented with a gold medal each with the following inscription: – "On return from the Transvaal War. Jan. 21st, 1901. From Springwood friends to ________ ".
The toast of "The Queen" was then proposed by Mr Lees. He said there was not a Briton regretted more the illness of Her Majesty than he did. The news came unexpectedly as Her Majesty was enjoying good health. He hoped she would soon get better again. (Cheers).
In speaking of the returned soldiers Mr Lees said that he felt as if there was no man more loyal than himself at the present time. He was at the farewell of the Nepean soldiers; also at their welcome back, and was pleased to be in Springwood to welcome back her contingent. He said that by sending away contingents this state had eclipsed all others. We have given it an impetus and status that it before never knew. We have emblazoned our history on the scrolls of fame by sending soldiers which made the nation shine before all nations of the world. In going there, they have done us honour while doing their duty. Our Australian soldiers have been a credit to all they have served under and am glad to see a sample of them here to entertain as we have tonight. R. BAXTER who went out with the first contingent, was a despatch officer and was seized by the Boers and sent up in Pretoria until the town was relieved. GREEN did some work in the "A.M.C." which will always stand to his credit; also WILSON and the rest of his comrades. The three are prepared to go again if the government will accept them. Go back to run the risk of laying their bones side by side with others who were Brothers-in-Arms and perhaps will be Brothers in Death on the veldt.
After this Colonel Parrott gave an address relating some of his very interesting experiences at the war which were listened to with marked attention. WILSON, BAXTER and GREEN then made a short address thanking everybody for the welcome they received, and also for the souvenirs.
During the evening the following songs were rendered, "Soldiers of the Queen", Mr P. Tanner; "Teaching McFadden to Waltze", Mr W. Johnson, and as an encore, "I'm getting ready for my ma-in-law"; "Scarlet and Blue", "When the Empire Calls", and by special request, "The Laughing Song", (even the dog laughed), "I'm giving them all a turn", Mr W. Gibbes; "Red, White and Blue", Mr S.E. Lees; "Michael McCormack" and "The Policeman", P. Tanner. A recitation, "Bingen on the Rhine" was given by Mr S.E. Lees.
