Medals and awards

629 Lance-Corporal Alexander SMITH

 

 

 

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Shoalhaven Telegraph, 3rd April 1901

 

TOMERONG.

WELCOME HOME AND PRESENTATION TO CORPORAL ALICK SMITH.

It will be remembered that soon after the outbreak of the Boer war, when volunteers were called for to join the Bushmen's Contingent from this State, amongst the first to offer their services were George and Alick SMITH, of 'Cedar Hill', Tomerong. In due time they proceeded to South Africa, where they both gave a good account of themselves, proving the sterling stuff of which they were made. Both gained promotion, the former ranking as Sergeant, and the latter as Corporal. Some little time before Christmas, word reached here that Corporal SMITH had been badly wounded in a sharp engagement with the Boers, and had been removed to the hospital at Kimberley. Subsequently he was sent down to Capetown, and when sufficiently recovered he was invalided home, after being offered a trip to England by the authorities. A week or two ago he reached his home, after an absence of over fifteen mouths. The people of Tomerong and surrounding district, recognising the honour that had been done them by the gallantry and bravery of Corporal SMITH, and desiring to show their appreciation of his services to the Empire, arranged a welcome home picnic for Saturday last. The event was held on the cricket ground, opposite the factory, and was very largely attended. It is worthy of note that every family in Tomerong and in most of the adjoining localities was represented — a fact that speaks volumes for the respect and esteem in which the guest of the occasion is held by those who know him best, and was as flattering to Corporal SMITH and his family as it was creditable to the people concerned. The picnic fare was generously supplied by the ladies of the several households, and it was as abundant in quantity as excellent in quality. Amusements of various kinds were indulged in until the luncheon hour, when the creature comforts were dispensed by a host of willing workers.

Later in the day the company was called together to take part in a presentation ceremony.

Mr Alex. Mathie, J.P., one of the oldest residents of Tomerong, and one of the most intimate acquaintances of Corporal SMITH, had been deputed by the committee to make the presentation and to preside over that part of the proceedings. He read a telegram from Mr David Davis, M.P., in which that gentleman regretted his inability to be present, but offered his congratulations to Corporal SMITH, and wished him success. Mr Mathie, proceeding with his remarks, explained that the presence of that large gathering was due to a desire to accord their friend and neighbour a fitting welcome home, after his splendid services in South Africa in defence of the Empire to which it was their proud boast to belong. They all knew the circumstances that led up to the war, and how every effort had been made to bring about an amicable settlement, but without success. He briefly traced the early history of the war; how the Boers, not satisfied with defending their own borders, invaded Natal, drove back the troops to Ladysmith, where they were compelled to entrench, and were besieged for many months; how the Free Staters invaded the West, surrounding Mafeking, where the gallant Baden-Powell won imperishable fame by his heroic defence; and how Kimberley, with Kekewich in charge, was besieged, making three British towns that were shut up at one and the same time, surrounded by Boer forts and big guns. At that time things looked none too promising, and it was then that the Colonial troops, with a patriotic desire to serve the mother country, volunteered their services. The splendid services of the first Australians were so highly thought of that the Imperial authorities asked for additional volunteers, and the Messrs SMITH promptly responded to the call for Bushmen to proceed to the relief of Mafeking via Beira. The Bushmen were unable to accomplish the work they had set put to perform, through Mafeking having been already relieved, but they had done good work in the field, and had gained for themselves a creditable name for courage, daring, and efficiency. Corporal SMITH had been unfortunate enough to receive a severe wound, and had been invalided home. They were all glad to see him back amongst them again, and they hoped he would soon be thoroughly restored to his usual vigour and strength. He had been asked by the residents of Tomerong, Jervis Bay, and Wandandian to present Corporal SMITH with a small token of their esteem and respect, and he asked that gentleman's acceptance of a gold medal and gold chain, and trusted he would long live to wear those mementoes of their appreciation of his sterling worth and of the services he had been able to render the British Empire. (Applause).

Corporal SMITH, who had a flattering reception, said he hoped the company would excuse him, as he had never been placed in a position to do any public speaking. More than that, there were no words in the English language to adequately convey his sentiments for the kindly treatment accorded him that day. He regretted his inability to give them an account of his doings in South Africa. He could say, however, that he had had rather hard times and was engaged in some severe battles. He was glad to know that in doing his duty he had won the good opinion of his old friends and neighbours, and he thanked them very heartily and sincerely for their practical demonstration of appreciation in the shape of their valuable gift, which he need not say he would always value very highly. (Applause).

Mr J. Watts said he had very great pleasure in joining in the welcome home to one of their men who had done so much to uphold the reputation of the State in South Africa. The fact that so many people were present to take part in that function showed that their hearts were as one in matters affecting the British Empire. He had known Corporal SMITH from boyhood, and it was a source of extreme gratification to him to know that he had done his duty so bravely and well in the field of battle. They were pleased to see him back, and proud to have that opportunity of doing him honour. (Applause). For much of the success of that function they were indebted to the ladies, and he had much pleasure in proposing them a vote of thanks for having supplied the refreshments. This was carried by acclamation and cheers.

Mr W.G. Lackersteen also expressed the pleasure it afforded him to be present to do honour to Corporal SMITH, who, with the other men who had volunteered for service in South Africa, had shown an unselfish spirit and a patriotic desire to be of help to the Empire. Corporal SMITH looked none the worse for his hardships in the battlefield, except for the wound in his leg, from which he was now happily recovering. He thought, should the occasion arise in future for a call to help the Empire in any part of the world, there would be no lack of young men to emulate the example of Corporal SMITH. (Applause). He asked the company to give three hearty cheers for the Press.

Mr H. Rauch acknowledged the compliment on behalf of the “Shoalhaven Telegraph”. He expressed his pleasure at being present, though at some personal inconvenience, to do honour to a brave young man, of whom Tomerong had every reason to be proud. He had to thank the Smith family for permitting him to publish letters received from the seat of war from Sergt. George SMITH — letters that were invariably full of interest and that gave a graphic account of the doings of the Bushmen at the front. It used to be the fashion to ridicule the colonial volunteers, but the Australians had shown in South Africa that, only partially trained though they were, they were nothing inferior in courage, in endurance, and in the possession of the old-stock fighting qualities, to the best troops of the Empire. The Australians had shown that, with an adequate supply of arms and ammunition, they would be able to effectively defend their hearths and homes against any foreign invasion. In honouring Corporal SMITH, the Tomerong people were honouring themselves, and their action would show him and others that a brave and manly career was approvingly watched and appreciated by the public.

Mr T. Ganderton, jun., also congratulated Corporal SMITH upon his military achievements and upon his return to home and friends.

Mr John Smith thanked the committee for inviting him to that function promoted to do honour to his brother. He was proud that he had made an honoured name for himself in South Africa, and proud that his old friends at Tomerong, the Bay, and Wandandian had given him so substantial a token of their esteem and respect. In his opinion his brother had only done his duty in fighting for the rights and liberty of the people, and it was pleasing to know that the efforts put forth by him and others had the hearty appreciation of their race everywhere, except in very few cases. On behalf of the family he thanked those present very sincerely for the great honour done his brother.

Corporal SMITH proposed a vote of thanks to the chairman, and Mr Mathie, after suitably replying, called for cheers for the King and the Governor-General, which were heartily given, as also ringing cheers for Corporal SMITH. The chain and medal are of solid gold. The medal bears the following inscription: — “Presented to A. Smith, by Tomerong, Jervis Bay, and other friends, on his return from S.A. war; 1901”.