Medals and awards

 

 

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Windsor and Richmond Gazette, 21st July 1900

 

 

Presentation to Trooper Callaghan.

An Enthusiastic “Smoke-Ho”.

After a compulsory postponement because of the flood, the complimentary smoke concert tendered to Trooper Clendon CALLAGHAN, son of Dr Callaghan, J.P., cook place on Tuesday night, when about 150 persons attended at the School of Arts to do honour to our returned soldier. It will be remembered that Trooper CALLAGHAN returned from South Africa a few weeks ago, having been invalided home after a six weeks' bout with enteric fever. The reception given him when he got home to Windsor was such as will always live in the memory of all who witnessed it, and we feel sure that the popular young townsman, and those near and dear to him, will never forget the enthusiastic welcome home he received on the memorable 30th of June. But the goodwill of the Windsor public, and their appreciation of his bravery in risking his life and undergoing the perils and privations of war, did not end There. A movement was at once put in train to present him with a memento of the occasion, and a large sum of money was freely subscribed for the purpose. This was presented to Trooper CALLAGHAN at the smoke concert. It was a very valuable gold watch (inscribed) and curb gold chain, with gold sovereign case and trinket; together with a gold Maltese cross with his monogram “C.C.C.” from Mr A.C. Stearn, one of the hero’s many personal admirers.

……. They were there to testify to their appreciation of what he had done, and he (Mr Paine) had very great pleasure in presenting to Trooper CALLAGHAN, on behalf of a number of friends and admirers, a little token of their regard and admiration. It was a gold hunting watch with curb chain, sovereign case, and trinket, the latter being a miniature field-piece. The watch was suitable for a mounted man, as he could tell the time without opening it; the trinket was an appropriate design, and would serve to remind him of what he had gone through; the curb chain was also appropriate for one fond of horses as Trooper CALLAGHAN was; and the sovereign case was also very necessary; it would hold the “sinews of war”, without which they would be able to do very little. In handing this handsome present to Trooper CALLAGHAN, Mr Paine said: “I can only express the hope that you may be spared many years to use it, and that it will be the means of reminding you that your services to your country have been appreciated by those who know you well”. (Cheers). Mr Paine then presented a gold medal with monogram to Trooper CALLAGHAN from Mr A.C. Stearn, one of his many personal admirers.

Trooper CALLAGHAN was received with a burst of applause which lasted for fully a minute. Then the gathering cheered again and sang “For he's a jolly good fellow” as heartily as ever it has been sung. When the flattering ovation had subsided Trooper CALLAGHAN said: “Mr Mayor and Gentlemen, — I thank you very sincerely for this valuable and handsome present. I will always esteem it highly as a memento of all your kindness to me, as well as a memento of the services I was able to render my country in South Africa. The warmth of your reception when I came home was a very great surprise to me. I assure you I did not anticipate anything of the kind. It was hard work while I was in South Africa, but I have been fully rewarded by your generous treatment tonight, and on the day of my return. Again, I thank you, and assure you of my very deep appreciation of your kindness”.

Trooper CALLAGHAN also thanked Mr Stearn for his gift, which would always serve to remind him of his pleasant friendship with that gentleman. As he left the platform, Trooper CALLAGHAN was cheered and cheered again. Everybody was upstanding, and hats and handkerchiefs were frantically waved.

The watch bears the following inscription: — Presented to / TROOPER CLENDON CALLAGHAN / By his Windsor friends, on his / return from the war in / South Africa, / 1899- 1900.