State: Ontario, Canada
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 07/02/1901
Number issued: 2
Gold locket to:
Gold cross, to:
Presentation made at the Opera House, Windsor, Ontario
Private Barr's cross handed to George Bartlet, as Mrs Barr was not present.
The presentation of the watches will be made by Mayor Davis, Mayor Swift, William Robins and possibly other gentlemen.
The watch for Geo. R.S. PHILLIPS will be sent to his parents at Dudley, England.
WATCHES PRESENTED.
The Last Scene in the S.A. Boys’ Reception.
The Handsome Gifts are Very Much Appreciated.
Last night, in the opera house, was enacted the last scenes incident to the return and reception of the South African soldiers. This was the presentation of gold watches to the surviving members of the Windsor volunteers and suitable souvenirs to the families of Walter WHITE and Harry BARR, who laid down their lives in their country’s service. The house was crowded and the greatest enthusiasm prevailed throughout.
To the strains of “Soldiers of the Queen” walked the “Absent-Minded Beggars”, amidst the applause of the assembled multitude. As they seated themselves, Mayor Davis stepped forward and in patriotic terms spoke of the valour displayed by the young men and the heroic actions of their dead comrades. He concluded by an expression of pleasure that the honour had fallen to him of presenting Sergeant BOWDEN and Private PADDON with the watches, that spoke of the esteem, honour and credit with which the city regarded them.
Mayor Girardot of Sandwich then stepped forward and in a few words of a very complimentary nature handed Privates CRAIG, DOLMAN and MARENTETTE their watches.
To Mayor Swift of Walkerville was assigned the duty of making the presentations to Privates JELL, WHYTE, REID and Trooper ALLAN, and, while complimenting all on their gallant actions, he referred especially to REID, who had been in his employment for a few years, and had always faithfully discharged his duties.
William Robins spoke of the heroic deeds done by the Canadians on the veldt, and presented Corporal NORTHWOOD and Privates BEERS, ANDREWS and RORISON with their watches.
The watches of ROBINSON and BIGGS, who were not present, will be sent to them. The cross for Mrs BARR was handed to George Bartlet for her. The locket for Mrs WHITE was handed to the late Walter’s father, and PHILLIPS’ watch was taken charge of by Captain Robinson, who will send it to the father of the dead soldier, Rev. Mr Phillips, of Dudley, England. These last were presented by Mayor Davis amid a profound silence, the audience standing up, the bowed heads, in sympathy with the sad circumstances which the event recalled.
After this another very interesting presentation took place. Col. Guillot came forward and called upon Corporal NORTHWOOD, whom he presented with a silver spoon that bad been the property of his great-great-grandfather, who fought with Wolfe on the Plains of Abraham, and who served under Wellington at Waterloo. Before the presentation the spoon was the property of Mrs Catherine Leonard, who recognised the fighting qualities of the NORTHWOOD family and she decided that the spoon should be again the property of John NORTHWOOD.
Sergeant BOWDEN, on behalf of his comrades, thanked the city and citizens in general for their many kindnesses and the beautiful present they had received.
The magistrate was called on and made a capital impromptu speech. He referred in apt terms to the courage and manly traits displayed by the Canadians in the South African war.
