State: Victoria, Australia
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 14/06/1901, 14/05/1902
Number issued: 3 or 4
Gold lockets, to:
14/06/1901 presentation
3rd Victorian (Bushmen's) Contingent –
577 Quartermaster-Sergeant James Sterling GULLAN
462 Lance-Corporal Francis JAMES
407 Trooper Alfred ORCHARD (absent - attending a locket presentation at Beeac)
Presentation made by Councillor F. Murrell, in the Shire Hall, Winchelsea.
14/05/1902 presentation
5th Victorian (Mounted Rifles) Contingent –
??? Trooper A. CLARKE
Presentation made by Colonel Templeton, in the Mechanics' Institute, Winchelsea.
Inscribed: "Presented to [R.Q.M.S. Gullan], by Winchelsea friends, on his return from South Africa. March, 1901".
Trooper Orchard received a second locket from Beeac.
Note: the Geelong Advertiser reported that the presentation to Trooper Clarke was from the inhabitants of Inverleigh.
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Geelong Advertiser, 17th June 1901
A HOME GREETING.
Saturday.
A warm welcome home was given to our returned soldiers, Regimental Quartermaster-Sergeant J. GULLAN and Lance-corporal JAMES, in the shire hall last evening. There was a very large and representative gathering. The hall was gaily decorated with bunting and greenery, and over the platform were the words "Welcome Home" done in ivy, which must have been cheery words to them after all the hardships they had gone through on the veldt of South Africa. Trooper ORCHARD, who was to have been present, was unable to accept the invitation, as, unfortunately, the residents of Beeac had decided to entertain him the same evening. Councillor F. Murrell, president of the shire, occupied the chair. The patriotic concert consisted of pianoforte solos given by the Misses K. McDonald and Tilton, songs by the Misses D. Stirling, Thomas, Hardie, Gullan, and Messrs Allan McDonald, M.K. Gullan (encored), M. Kelly, and H. Reymar; recitation, Miss B. Braham. The arduous duties of accompanist fell to Miss Doherty. In the interval the guests of the evening stepped on the platform and were accorded such cheering that it was a few minutes before Cr F. Murrell could be heard making the presentation of gold lockets on behalf of the Winchelsea residents. These bore the inscription "Presented to R.Q.M.S. Gullan, by Winchelsea friends, on his return from South Africa. March, 1901". The wording was the same on Lance-Corporal JAMES'. Both guests said a few well-chosen words, and thanked their friends for their kind welcome home and also pretty mementos. The proceedings terminated about 9.30 p.m. with the tinging of "God save the King". Afterwards about forty attended the smoke social at the Barwon Hotel. The chair was again occupied by Councillor F. Murrell, with Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant J. GULLAN on his right, and on the left Lance-corporal JAMES. The chairman proposed "The guests of the evening", and the toast was honoured with great enthusiasm. In responding, both Sergeant GULLAN and Lance-corporal JAMES were very warm in their praise of Major VIALLS, of the Bushmen. Although he was an Imperial officer they said he had done more to make the name for the Australasian bushmen than any commanding officer in South Africa. The following toasts were duly proposed and honoured: "The King and Royal Family", "The Navy", " Rifle Club", "Coursing Club", and "Friendly Societies". Songs were given by Messrs P. Carroll, A.L. Campbell (Geelong), M.E. McEvitt, Allan McDonald, W. Stirling, and W. Mathieson; recitations by Messrs T.P. McCulloch, Regimental Quartermaster-Sergeant GULLAN, and M.J. Dwyer. An enjoyable evening finished up with the National Anthem and "Auld Lang Syne". The success of both entertainments reflect great credit on the energetic secretary, Mr H.H. Hardie.
Colac Herald, 18th June 1901
A most enthusiastic welcome home was recorded at Winchelsea on Friday evening to Quarter-Master Sergeant J. GULLAN and Lance-Corporal JAMES, of the Bushmen's Contingent, who returned home in the Morayshire after 16 months' service in South Africa. A patriotic concert was held in the Shire Hall, which was gaily decorated with flags. There was a very large audience, the hall being densely packed, and a good programme of songs, &c., was given. Cr F. Murrell occupied the chair, and on behalf of the residents of Winchelsea presented each of the returned soldiers with a handsome gold locket. It was also decided to present a gold locket to Trooper A. ORCHARD, who was unable to be present. After the concert a "smoke social" was held at the Barwon Hotel, at which there was a large attendance. Cr Murrell again occupied the chair, and on his right sat Sergeant GULLAN, and on his left Lance-Corporal JAMES. The president proposed the health of "The Guests of the Evening", and the toast was honoured with great enthusiasm. In responding, both of the soldiers were very loud in their praises of Major Vialls. After many other toasts, songs, and recitations had been given, the proceedings were brought to a close by singing "God Save the King" and "Auld Lang Syne". The greatest praise is due to the energetic secretary, Mr H.H. Hardie, to whose efforts the success of both entertainments was mainly due.
Geelong Advertiser, 30th April 1902
RIFLE SHOOTING.
In our advertising columns it will be seen that on May the 14th Inverleigh will be having a great field day. Colonel Templeton has called a field firing parade on the Inverleigh range at 2.30. At 4.30 riflemen, with their brass band, will march to the Inverleigh bridge for the unveiling of the memorial to the late Sergt.-Major Houghton. Friends are invited to lay floral tributes on the cairn, at the foot of the monument at the close of the ceremony. At 5.30 refreshments will be served to visiting riflemen, and at 7.30 a grand riflemen's concert will be held in the Mechanics’ Hall. The O.C. will present May match prizes, and Corporal A. CLARKE (Fifth Contingent), just returned from the war, will receive a soldier's welcome home, and a souvenir gold medal.
Melbourne Argus, 17th May 1902
WINCHELSEA.
On Wednesday evening a riflemen's concert was held in the Mechanics' Institute, when a welcome home was accorded Trooper A. CLARKE, of the Fifth Contingent, on behalf of the residents. Colonel Templeton presented the returned soldier with a gold medal, bearing a suitable inscription. During the evening the prizes won by the Inverleigh riflemen during the recent competitions were presented to their respective winners by Colonel Templeton.
