State: New South Wales, Australia
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 15/08/1902
Number issued: 1
Gold medal, to:
Presentation made by the Mayor, in the Gymnasium, Tenterfield.
Inscribed: "To Captain C.A. Lee, on his return from South Africa, August 1902. T.M. Walker, Mayor, Tenterfield".
Arrival of Captain LEE and Sergeant PRITCHARD.
Captain C.A. LEE, accompanied by Sergeant PRITCHARD, who returned from South Africa by the Drayton Grange, arrived in Tenterfield on Friday last by mail train. They were met at the Railway Station by the Mayor and Aldermen, some 30 members of the T.M.R. in uniform under the command of Lieutenant Weigall, and a large number of citizens including Rev. H.G. Smith. Messrs J.H. Reid, C.P. Whereat, I. Whereat, Leech, and other leading townsmen. The returned warriors who looked in the pink of condition, were warmly welcomed by the large assemblage present immediately they alighted from the train. They were then escorted to the Walker Trustees drag, piloted by Mr Thomas Walker, and driven to the Gymnasium, the local military forming a guard of honour, followed by a large cavalcade of vehicles and horsemen, the warriors being heartily cheered all along the line of route, which was lined with spectators, a row of flags being strung across the roadway from Melbourne House to the Exchange Hotel in honour of the returned soldiers. On arrival at the Gymnasium they were formally welcomed by the Mayor on behalf of the citizens of Tenterfield, who presented Captain LEE with a handsome gold medal suitably inscribed.
Lieutenant Weigall said it gave him great pleasure to welcome Captain LEE back again. They were proud to call him a comrade. They had every reason to be proud of the men who had represented Tenterfield in South Africa, but of none more so than of Captain LEE. The Half Squadron got a kind of reflected glory from him. When it was known that he was so ill with fever, Tenterfield had spent a very anxious time but it rejoiced them now to see him back again looking so well. (Applause).
The Mayor addressing Captain LEE and Sergeant PRITCHARD, said it was his pleasing duty to formally welcome them back to Tenterfield. It did not seem so long since the Boers had declared war and at the call of the Empire, these men had gladly gone forth to give their lives, if need be, in the service of their Country. Some of them had suffered from dire disease which had been more deadly than any Boer shell or bullet. Some were laid low beneath the African veldt. The names of those who had fallen at the call of duty would be chiselled in stone and put up in a conspicuous place in the town. They had also had a very rough time of it in coming home. A cartoon in the “Bulletin” had struck him as being both pathetic and comic. It represented the troops leaving South Africa with colours flying and music playing, and then depicted their arrival, showing them being shot out of the gangways by means of a crane. They were all glad to see their comrades safe and well, and amongst them once. He had a pleasing duty now to perform, which was to hand Captain LEE a gold medal bearing the inscription "To Captain C.A. Lee, on his return from South Africa, August 1902, T.M. Walker, Mayor, Tenterfield". The Mayor then read a letter from Mr Cowley in which that gentleman apologised for his absence, owing to indisposition, and conveying his best wishes to Captain LEE.
The Rev. H.G. Smith said he had been asked to speak, and it afforded him much pleasure to do so. One thought that struck him was that life was a series of farewelling and welcoming. Three years ago they met together, to say farewell, and though partings were sad, there was ever the bright prospect of a return. There was something very fine in the spirit their comrades had shown. He believed them to have been prompted by the true patriotic spirit. He believed Captain LEE had a great future before him. He believed this welcome meeting was a true index of the feeling of every Tenterfield resident. He had great pleasure in giving him a hearty, welcome home again.
Captain LEE, in reply, said he did not intend to make a speech, as of late he had had no practice or opportunity for speech making. He had been away, and had discovered the fact, in common with all who have travelled, that there is no place like home. (Applause). He had seen places larger and perhaps wealthier, but he would not exchange home for none of them. (Applause). Speaking for Sergeant PRITCHARD and himself, although Tenterfield had not sent many men to the war, what they had sent had been of the very finest stamp, physically and mentally. He had seen them under all sorts of conditions (Applause). He did not advocate war, he never again wanted to see it. He had given up all idea of the military profession, and would not go again, unless it were in defence of his native land. He was entitled to two war medals, but the one they had that day bestowed upon him, he would value before the other two.
