State: Victoria, Australia
Issued on: Return
Dates of presentations: 11/12/1900, 14/05/1901, 00/07/1901
Number issued: 4
Gold medals, to:
11/12/1900 presentation
1st Victorian Infantry Company [1st Victorian Contingent] –
100 Private Richard ROBERTS
2nd Victorian (Mounted Rifles) Contingent –
279 Private William Thomas ROSS
Presentation made in the Shire Hall, Swan Hill.
14/05/1901 presentation
2nd Victorian (Mounted Rifles) Contingent –
274 Private Sedgwick Percy HARPER
Presentation made by Mr H.V. Cato (assistant shire secretary), on the steps of the Post Office, Swan Hill.
July 1901 presentation
4th Victorian (Imperial Bushmen's) Contingent –
57 Sergeant Alfred William LONG [Lang]
Presentation made by the president of the shire.
Inscribed: "Private ________ , South African War, 1899-1900. Swan Hill thanks God for the safe return of her brave sons".
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Melbourne Argus, 13th December 1900
SWAN HILL, Wednesday.
Last night a most enthusiastic public welcome was accorded Privates ROBERTS and ROSS, who have returned from South Africa. ROSS reached here on Saturday night, but the public demonstration was deferred until ROBERTS arrived. He was met at the railway station by the president of the shire and councillors, the Swan Hill section of the Rangers under Lieutenant Heyward, the fire brigade and the town brass band, when a hearty welcome was extended to him and Private ROSS. A demonstration was held in the shire-hall in the evening, when congratulatory speeches were made by leading residents. Each soldier was presented with a gold medal, which bore the following inscription: – “Private _______ , South African War, 1899-1900. Swan Hill thanks God for the safe return of her brave sons”.
Melbourne Age, 1st January 1901
SWAN HILL.
Private ROSS, who returned to Victoria in the Harlech Castle, was met at the railway station by the leading townspeople, and driven to the Royal Hotel, where short speeches were delivered by the president of the shire (Cr. J.H. Stewart), Mr J.W. Taverner and others.
Last week a most enthusiastic public welcome was accorded to him and to Private ROBERTS. The president of the shire and councillors, the Swan Hill section of the Rangers, under Lieutenant Heywood, and the fire brigade and the town brass band assembled to do honour to the returned soldiers. A demonstration was held in the shire hall, when congratulatory speeches were made by leading townsmen. Privates ROBERTS and ROSS were each presented with a gold medal, bearing the following inscription after their names: — "South African war, 1899-1900. Swan Hill thanks God for the safe return of her brave sons".
Melbourne Argus, 16th May 1901
HOME FROM THE WAR.
SWAN HILL, Wednesday.
Private Percy HARPER, who left here with the second Victorian contingent for South Africa, was accorded a most enthusiastic welcome by the townspeople on his return home last night. He was met at the railway station by a detachment of the Victorian Rangers, the town band, and hundreds of townspeople. As the train entered the station the band played “See the Conquering Hero Comes”, and cheers were given. Private HARPER was accompanied to the post-office steps, where addresses of welcome were delivered by the Rev. James Patterson and the Rev. H.B. Haynes. Mr H.V. Cato, assistant shire secretary, then presented him with a gold medal, on behalf of the townspeople. Private HARPER, who is only 20 years of age, suitably responded.
Melbourne Age, 22nd July 1901
SWAN HILL.
Sergeant A. LONG was accorded an enthusiastic welcome home. On his arrival at the railway station he was met by the president of the shire and leading townspeople, the Swan Hill section of Rangers, the town band and the fire brigade. Addresses of welcome were delivered by Mr C.E. Albrecht and the Rev. Jas. Patterson, and the president of the shire presented Sergeant LONG with a gold medal on behalf of the residents.
