State: Victoria, Australia
Issued on: Return
Dates of presentations: 08/11/1900, 28/06/1901, 16/05/1902
Number issued: 9 or 10
08/11/1900 presentation
166 Private Alexander Bidwell McPHERSON (invalided)
"It had been intended to present their guest with a medal that night but owing to some unforeseen circumstance it had not arrived. It would, however, be exhibited for a week, in Moe, and then handed to Private McPherson".
28/06/1901 presentation
Private 64 Alphonsus LAWDORN [Landon]
172 Private John William FECHNER
"Medals will be presented to each of the guests at a later date".
16/05/1902 presentation
1185 Private Daniel ESPIE
"It had been decided to present each with a suitable memento of their return [a gold medal], but unfortunately the articles had not arrived. However, they would be forwarded to them later on".
On all three occasions the organisers failed to procure medals in time for a presentation during the respective welcome-home proceedings.
Lieutenant Bell also received a medal from the Moe Band of Hope, when he returned from South Africa having served as a sergeant with the 1st Victorian Mounted Infantry Company.
WELCOME HOME.
TO PRIVATE A. McPHERSON.
Private A. McPHERSON, of Willowgrove, a member of the 2nd Victorian contingent in South Africa, was tendered a welcome home, in the Moe Mechanics, on Thursday night last. The guest of the evening has been recently invalided from South Africa, owing to an attack of enteric fever. The celebration on Thursday night was a great success, and fully 150 persons attended. The details were entrusted in the hands of a committee, and with Mr J. Wilson as secretary, the success of the evening was assured. There is no doubt about the fact that Mr J. Wilson puts a considerable amount of energy, time and tact into anything he undertakes, and the outcome of the gathering (which it might be added, was mooted by him) rebounds very much to his credit. The hall was very nicely decorated for the occasion, with flags, ferns, flowers, etc., and presented a patriotic appearance. The stage was beautifully adorned with Union Jacks, a photo of Queen Victoria, and the one happy and characteristic word "Welcome". The trimmings, etc., of a large number of the ladies dresses were also in keeping with the occasion, whilst several of Private McPHERSON's comrades in the local detachment of the V.M.R. donned their uniforms, amongst them being Private A. LAWDORN. The evening entertainment took the form of dancing and vocal and instrumental music, and a good programme was presented. Mr Crowe and Mr M. Sullivan undertook the duties of M.C., whilst Messrs Cahill (violin) and A. Nicholson (accordion) provided the music. The following programme was rendered, each item being of considerable merit: — Song, Sons of the southern sea, Mr Fish; song, Just break the news to mother, Miss K. Considine; song, Watching for pa, Mr W. Walker; recitation, John Maynard, Miss Pettit; song, For the honour and glory of old England, Mr F. Crowe; duet, Life's long dream is o'er, Misses Crowe and Pascoe; song, Tommy Atkins, Mr Cooper; song, Good bye Mavourneen, Mr Salmon ; song, The song that will live for ever, Mr Pettit.
About 10 o’clock Mr A.T. Mackenzie mounted the platform and stated that Mr Nichols, M.L.A., had been expected to be present that evening, but unfortunately could not put in an appearance. It had been intended to present their guest with a medal that night but owing to some unforeseen circumstance it had not arrived. It would, however, be exhibited for a week, in Moe, and then handed to Private McPHERSON. He had not known their guest long, but he could say that he had done his duty, the same as all the Australians had done. (Applause). They were all proud of their gallant soldiers, and if the opportunity again presented itself, they would he thought, all go to fight for the grand old flag. (Applause). Whilst they could not present the medal that night he hoped their guest would take their presence that evening, as a small token of their esteem for him. (Applause).
Dr Phelps also made a few characteristically appropriate remarks.
M. Crowe said that they should accord Mr Wilson a vote of thanks for his energies in this social, and the two previous ones. With regard to Private McPHERSON, he was proud to know that he had done his duty, and hoped it would be a lesson to the younger generation. (Applause).
Private McPHERSON, who was greeted with cheers, said that he could not find words to express his thankfulness to them. He had had a little training as a soldier, but none as a speaker, so they would have to excuse him. He was very sorry that his good mates and gallant comrades in South Africa were not present that evening, but hoped they would soon be home, when they would get a splendid reception. (Applause).
Mr Wilson briefly returned thanks to all on behalf of the committee for their assistance. He would specially mention Mesdames Haigh and Considine, for their great kindness, and thorough help.
Cheers were then, given for Private McPHERSON, and the other Moe boys at the front.
OUR CITIZEN SOLDIERS.
WELCOME HOME AT WILLOWGROVE.
A Welcome Home Social was tendered to returned South African soldiers on the 28th ult., at the Hall. Fully 50 couples graced the mazy dance under the capable M.C 'ship of Mr Lewis until midnight hour, when, after excellent refection provided by resident ladies, socialities merged into a meeting, presided over by Cr. Williams, where welcome was given to the brave boys returned from the war — FECHNER (2) HASTHORPE, KIRWAN, LAWDORN and McPHERSON by a proud and enthusiastic assemblage of friends and neighbours.
Mr Hasthorpe, sen., called upon by the Chairman, had but little to say. His relationship to his good son, one of their guests, whom God had spared to him, made him proud, grateful and silent.
Mr Westaway could only voice the unanimous feeling of Willowgrove, Tanjil, and their surroundings. All were proud of their returned warriors. All wished them a future as prosperous as their past had been daring, resourceful and honourable.
On Cr. Williams devolved the speech of the evening, which was delivered in his happiest style. He — the community he represented — had sorrowed on the departure of the lads, raw, fresh, unused to war, but representative of the manly stock we rear in the shadow of Mt Baw Baw. In the name of all around him, and of the district he had been elected to represent — he welcomed the tanned, worn, and tried men of war who had returned with badges of honour, unworn and undisplayed, but conferred by the words of "Bobs", their glorious Commander-in-Chief, by every European and American militant who had witnessed the strife, and by war correspondents of the worlds' journals. Australians had proved themselves possessed in fullest degree of the three soldierly virtues — courage, constancy, and resourcefulness. Our new Commonwealth, almost at its birth, had proved what our men were worth, what its blood and vigour could do for the glorious Empire of which we are a part. There, he hoped, it rested. God forbid that our guests, their sons or brothers, should be called upon again in like manner. There was daring and heroism called for in subduing the difficulties of the country around them; as citizens of this district and among their own people the qualities which ennobled them afar would shine in brighter light at home. They had fought on the African veldt; some had pioneered in the arid plains of Westralia. Let their future energies be directed, with the same pluck and refusal of defeat, to development of our home resources.
Frequently interrupted by applause, the chairman's speech was, endorsed by all present in enthusiastic manner.
An episode in the meeting was the introduction of Mr Lancaster, of Neerim, an African comrade of the guests, who spoke pleasantly and modestly of past experiences, enlarging upon the camaraderie and "esprit de corps" which held all Australians together, while yet in pleasant touch with Tommy Atkins and the "regulars" of the old country.
A vote of thanks to the chair was strictly informal — in its sincerity. Another to the resident ladies who had provided a table equally plentiful and tasteful in its decorations was carried by applause. Financial results assure a gold medal to each guest. Thus closed one of our pleasant social meetings in Willowgrove.
OUR CITIZEN SOLDIERS.
WELCOME HOME AT WILLOWGROVE.
Notwithstanding the adverse weather and the short notice of the gathering, about 70 persons assembled in the Willowgrove Hall on Friday night last, for the purpose of according a welcome home to Lieutenant W. BELL, Privates F. BYFORD, G DOW, and D. ESPIE, who recently returned from South Africa, where they have been serving with the fifth Victorian contingent The hall was most tastefully decorated for the occasion with flags and evergreens, and reflected great credit on those who undertook the work. Mrs Williams had made a beautiful emblem, bearing the words — “Our Brave Heroes”, worked with red berries on Russian leather, which was conspicuously displayed.
Dancing commenced at 8.30 p.m., Mr R. Hall supplying the music on the piano. Private BYFORD satisfactorily discharged the duties of M.C. It is a curious coincidence that at the last dance in Willowgrove, Mr F. BYFORD was a soldier of the King, and Mr F. LEWIS was M.C., and within a month these positions have been entirely reversed, as Mr LEWIS is now in camp at Langwarrin, having been BC accepted for the Australian Commonwealth Horse.
An excellent supply of refreshments as usual, provided by the ladies, were handed round about 12.30 p.m., and evidently were greatly appreciated. Wines were next provided, and the Chairman (Cr. Williams), said that they all knew they were assembled that night to welcome the soldiers’ safe return. He regretted the absence of Lieutenant W. BELL, which was owing to the hurried manner in which the gathering was arranged. If it bad not been for that reason there would also have been a very much larger attendance. Lieut. BELL’s departure was regretted by him, and also the fact that they were not able to publicly welcome him at Willowgrove. They were all proud of their young friend, and anyone who had Lieutenant BELL on his list of friends, should feel highly honoured. He had decided to return to South Africa again. Their guests that evening were the representatives of Australia sent to fight for the Empire, and every one of them must feel proud to have rendered assistance to the grand old flag. (Applause). In all parts of the world the Australians were recognised as just foemen to fight, for when they had done their duty, and the fight was over, they were always ready to render assistance to the aged, infirm and children. (Applause). There were no more congenial friends in the field than the Australians. (Loud applause). If the returned soldiers acted at home as they did in the field, they must be successful in life. They had been highly spoken of by their general, and everyone felt justly proud of them. He was extremely gratified to hear and read of the success of both Captain and Lieut. BELL. There was one, however, who had not been permitted to return to their midst — Private Albert DAVIDSON, who had succumbed to fever. This soldier did his duty, and right up to his death, thought only of again being on the field, and again being able to do his duty. He regretted his demise very keenly. It had been decided to present each with a suitable memento of their service, but unfortunately the articles had not arrived. However, they would be forwarded to them later on. The speaker then proposed the health of the returned soldiers.
The toast was drunk with musical honours.
Private BYFORD, who was well received, thanked the chairman for his kind remarks, and the people for their splendid reception, on behalf of bis comrades and himself. He considered that evening one of the hardest parts of the campaign, and that was to make a speech. They could heartily endorse the remarks made re Lieutenant BELL, and would have been pleased if Captain BELL had been mentioned as they knew him better. He was keenly sorry that Private “Dad” (as he was known in South Africa) DAVIDSON was not amongst them, and felt his loss severely. He again thanked all for their kindness.
Mr Geo. Bell, sr., said he hardly knew what position he stood in, but it was indeed a proud one. He had to take two different parts. The first was to offer his congratulations to those present on their safe return. He was sure that all had done their duty. He would have liked to see his son amongst them, and apologised for his absence. The last time they assembled it was to send his son to fight, and he never said a word to try and stop him. He was really proud of all the young men who went forth. (Applause). His sons had been fortunate in having gained honours and it was very pleasing for him to hear how they had been spoken of by all. He really believed they had done their duty, and that their honours were deserved. (Applause). He had heard whispers that they had received a great deal of favour, which may have been the case. (No, no). George had been in it since the beginning, and he thought he had been treated well when he was sent to the Jubilee. When the war broke out his son said he considered it his duty to go and fight when they were wanted. (Applause). They could understand his feeling towards his son, but he did not deter him in the slightest. The next son went out with the second contingent. They had both taken advantage of their opportunities, but he believed that there were others who would do the same work with the same opportunity, and he did not think the honours would be given unless they were deserved. They both thought they would see the war out, and when it was over he thought they would agree with him that it was right. (Applause). He did not believe in luck, but in Providence, and he thought it would not be right if he did not acknowledge the Kindly Hand that had watched over his boys and would do so again, and he felt confident that they would see them both return. (Applause). He hoped their guests would long be spared to be worthy citizens, as they had been in serving their King and country. (Continued applause).
MOE.
