Country: New Zealand
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 25/07/1901
Number issued: 13
Gold medals, to:
1st New Zealand Mounted Rifles –
96 Lance-Corporal Henry Donald COUTTS (winner of "Queen's Scarf"; promoted Captain, 7th N.Z.M.R.)
2nd New Zealand Mounted Rifles –
480 Trooper Lionel Eric SMITH (died of wounds received at Vet River, 06/05/1900 - did his family receive a medal?)
3rd New Zealand (Rough Riders) Contingent –
778 Trooper William R. BONNER
773 Trooper Archibald A. BURN-MURDOCK
774 Trooper Robert MONTGOMERY (invalided, 23/10/1900)
781 Trooper E.H. PRICE
779 Trooper Ernest John WALTER
5th New Zealand Mounted Rifles –
2351 Trooper W.J. BROWNE
2230 Trooper George Gordon CALVERT (of Strathmore - potential recipient)
2435 Trooper W.D. CATOR
2396 Trooper J.W. PORTER
2724 Trooper E.W. SPECK (absent - in hospital)
2294 Trooper George W. SULLIVAN
Kitchener's Horse –
???? Trooper ANDERSON
Presentation made at a social, held in the Fire Brigade Hall, Stratford.
Obverse with mounted trooper.
Reverse: "PRESENTED / TO / E.J. Walter / BY THE / People of Stratford / South Africa / 1899 – 1901".
"There were thirteen medals struck".
Probably supplied by Messrs Nettleship & Thomson, Wanganui (see Waverley & Wairoa).
Note: this medal is identical to that presented by the people of Waitara. Waitara is 26 miles north of Stratford.The representation of the mounted trooper is also very similar to that found on the obverse of the Waverley & Wairoa medal. The same motif may also have been used for the Feilding medal: "The obverse side of the medal shows a rough-rider in war apparel" (New Zealand Times, 09/02/1901).
Trooper Walter example sold through Noble Numismatics, 11/09/2023, for $1,700 AUD / £917 GBP.
____________________________
Taranaki Herald, 17th January 1900
STRATFORD NEWS.
Mr Eric SMITH, son of Mr H. Percy Smith, of Stratford, has been accepted as a member of the second contingent for South Africa.
Taranaki Herald, 14th May 1900
STRATFORD NEWS.
Mr H. Percy Smith has received telegrams from the Premier to the effect that his son Eric, who left here with the Second Contingent, has been wounded in the fighting near Winberg. Happily, the telegrams do not contain the ominous word "seriously", but it will be an anxious time for the young man's father and mother until more definite news arrives. They have the sympathy of everyone.
Wanganui Chronicle, 3rd July 1900
A NOTE FROM CORPORAL SULLIVAN.
Trooper G.W. SULLIVAN, one of the Stratford boys with the Fifth Contingent, but whose people are now residing in Wanganui, dropped a hopefully written note to his mother from Beira, under date 25th April. The Fighting Fifth had had a splendid passage across and had reached Beira "all well", and were ready to start for Rhodesia. At the time of writing Trooper George had been promoted to corporal, and, in conveying the good news to the folks at home he adds "I stand a good chance of getting higher if I watch myself".
Taranaki Herald, 17th October 1900
STRATFORD NEWS.
Tho Mounted Rifles had a Church parade on Sunday for the purpose of witnessing the unveiling at Holy Trinty Church of a memorial tablet to the memory of Trooper Eric SMITH of the Second Contingent. The men under Lieutenant Liardet assembled in Fenton Street, and marched to the Church headed by the Town Band. The Rev. N.D. Boyes conducted the service, assisted by Mr L. Paget. The tablet is of white marble and bears the inscription "Erected by the parishioners to the memory of Lionel Eric Smith, Second New Zealand Mounted Rifles, who was mortally wounded in the engagement at Vet River, South Africa, May 5th, 1900. Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori".
Taranaki Herald, 13th July 1901
Arrangements are forward for the social to the returned South African troopers. Medals are ordered, which are to be presented to the men by the Mayoress.
Taranaki Herald, 22nd July 1901
STRATFORD NEWS.
Trooper PORTER was back from the wars on Wednesday night and received a hearty welcome, the volunteers, horse and foot, parading at the railway station. I think pretty well all our Stratford boys are back now except Trooper Eric SMITH who fell in fight at Kroonstad. Our casualties have been very small and the returned troopers are probably better men than when they went away. War is a grim business, especially, as Colonel Davies said, for the relatives who watch and wait at home, but it makes men. The Empire has lost 18,000 in South Africa but there are 200.000 who are twice the men they were for the experience.
Taranaki Herald, 27th July 1901
STRATFORD NEWS.
July 25.
Today we welcomed the returned contingenters, and the sun shone all the morning and well into the afternoon. And let it be written down that there was this day no rain until the participants in the outdoor ceremony had had time to reach their homes — that is to say, until 4 o'clock. It is of course raining this evening, but it will not keep the people away from the Fire Brigade Hall, where there is to be a social and presentation of medals. These medals, by the way, have been on view in Gilbert's window. They are Maltese crosses of 15 carat gold with an embossed figure of a trooper on the veldt. On the reverse is the name of the recipient, with the information that the medal is the gift of the people of Stratford. But, to resume. This afternoon's function consisted of a procession along Broadway (Mounted Rifles, Town Band, returned troopers, and Captain Malone's company of Rifle Volunteers participating); a halt in front of the Post Office, hollow square with the nine warriors of the veldt, mounted, in the middle; Mayor and Councillors, County Chairman and Reception Committee on the step; troops, citizens and school children filling the street; speech from His Worship, from the County Chairman, Mr Jos. Mackay, and from Councillor George N. Curtis; cheers for the troops, for the King and Queen, for Lieut.-Colonel Davies; counter cheers from the S. African veterans for the people of Stratford; band, "Home Sweet Home"; appropriate action by omnes except the Reception Committee and assistants, who have to prepare for the evening's diversion.
Timaru Herald, 27th July 1901
STRATFORD, July 26.
Yesterday the Stratford district returned troopers were accorded a public welcome. The troopers rode in procession, escorted by mounted and infantry corps. They were addressed from the post office steps by the Mayor and others. At a social in the evening they were presented with a gold medal each. There were thirteen medals struck.
Otago Times, 27th July 1901
Stratford district returned troopers were accorded a public welcome on Thursday. The troopers rode in procession, escorted by tho mounted and infantry corps. They were addressed from tho Post Office steps by the Mayor and others. At a social in the evening they were each presented with a gold medal.
Taranaki Herald, 30th July 1901
STRATFORD NOTES.
The welcome to the returned troopers took place last Thursday, and was a pronounced success. In the afternoon there was a procession and speeches, and in the evening a concert and dance and presentation of medals by the Mayoress. A great crowd turned up to the dance, the chief point of which was the magnificent supper provided by the ladies.
3rd New Zealand Mounted Contingent, Taranaki Troop (Lyttelton Times, 17th February 1900)
The Stratford and Waverley medals, showing the use of the same central motif.
The identical Waitara medal.
