State: Tasmania
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 07/08/1901
Number issued: 2
Gold medals, to:
1st Tasmanian Imperial Bushmen –
6 Sergeant Mervyn Alfred SUMMERS
17 Trooper Henry BLACKABY
Presentation made by the chairman ("a resident of many years' standing", in the absence of Mr J.C. von Stieglitz, M.H.A.), during a social held in St Leonards.
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Launceston Daily Telegraph, 10th August 1901
ST. LEONARDS.
A successful social was held at St. Leonards on Wednesday night for the purpose of welcoming Sergeant SUMMERS, and Trooper BLACKABY on their return from South Africa. Owing to the absence of Mr J.C. von Stieglitz, M.H.A., in Hobart, the position of chairman was ably filled by a resident of many years' standing. After the loyal toast was honoured, that of the guests was proposed and responded to with enthusiasm. Sergeant SUMMERS gave an account of his experiences in South Africa, which was attentively listened to, more especially as many of the incidents related showed conclusively what a warm time the Australian Bushmen had while serving in the Boer war. Songs, recitations, etc., were given, and encores were frequent, the following taking part: Messrs Summers, Jacobson, Hall, S. Fletcher, B. Fulton, and A. Huston. Mr Bert Fulton was to the fore in his comic songs, as was Mr Huston, who has established himself as a great favourite in Launceston and its environments. The Chairman then presented Sergeant SUMMERS and Trooper BLACKABY with a gold medal, for which the recipients returned due thanks, and then exhibited South African curios and war relics. A pleasant programme was brought to a close about midnight. Mr Stan. Fletcher acted as accompanist throughout the evening.
