State: Victoria, Australia
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 07/10/1901
Number issued: 1
Gold Maltese cross, suitably inscribed, to:
South African Light Horse –
1859 Trooper Henry J. WILSON
Presentation made in the State School, Teesdale.
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Geelong Advertiser, 10th December 1901
HOME FROM THE WAR.
TEESDALE, Monday.
An enthusiastic welcome home from the war in South Africa was given by the residents of Teesdale in the local State School on Saturday evening to Trooper H.J. WILSON, lately of the South African Light Horse. Mr WILSON having been balloted out was prevented from going with some of our early contingents, but being determined to have a slap at the Boers he went over "on his own", and at once joined the far-famed "Light Horse". He has been in several severe engagements, but happily escaped without a scratch. He won the esteem of his officers, and was about to be promoted when he left. Notice of such promotion will probably come shortly. After drinking his health, he was presented with a handsome and valuable gold medal, partly in the shape of a Maltese Cross, and bearing a suitable inscription. Trooper WILSON, who is a son of our respected shire engineer, in feeling terms acknowledged the gift and his deep gratitude to the people of Teesdale for their sympathy and kindness to him. Another native of Teesdale, Tom DOW, who was in South Africa for some time on the outbreak of hostilities, also joined the South African Light Horse, and served his country with no small distinction. He has received a "Distinguished Conduct Medal" and has been recommended by his superior officers for the "Victoria Cross" for a gallant and daring act in rescuing, under a rain of bullets, one of his comrades whose horse threw him, and who had got into such a nervous state of excitement that he had to be pulled by DOW bodily on to his own horse, and thus both of them escaped scatheless. DOW's horse was shot in the leg but managed to bring thein into camp. Trooper DOW's health was drunk with great gusto. Another recently returned soldier, Corporal MULCAHY, of the A.I.R., who gave some humorous reminiscences of the chase after De Wet, had his health drunk with acclamation. Several toasts, songs, and recitations helped to pass a most agreeable and pleasant evening.
