Country: New Zealand
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 23/07/1901
Number issued: 4
Gold Maltese crosses, to:
1571 Trooper G. THORNTON
Presentation made by Mrs Ogle, during an evening social.
Reverse: "PRESENTED / TO / Trooper W.T. Joll / 4TH CONTINGENT / from Waitara Public / South Africa / 1900 – 1".
Probably supplied by Messrs Nettleship & Thomson, Wanganui (see Waverley & Wairoa medal).
Note: this medal is identical to that presented by the people of Stratford, NZ. Stratford is 26 miles south of Waitara. The central motif is also very similar to that found on the obverse of the Waverley & Wairoa medal.
Trooper Joll example sold through O'Mara's Auctions / grays.com (Australia), 22/10/2024, for $1,520 AUD.
WAITARA TROOPERS WELCOMED.
WAITARA, July 19.
Troopers THORNTON, JOLL, and A. JOHNSTON arrived home this morning. They were accorded a hearty reception, a large number of people turning out to welcome them. They were met at the Drill Shed by Mr Ogle, Chairman of the Town Board, who, on behalf of the citizens, expressed his pleasure at the conduct of the men, who upheld the reputation they went away with. He was glad to see them back safe, and the gathering was a testimony to the public feeling in the matter. Hearty cheers were then given.
Trooper Joll replied on behalf of his comrades, thanking them for the reception.
WAITARA NEWS.
RECEPTION OF RETURNED TROOPERS.
The pleasure felt at the safe return of our South African warriors was shown by the heartiness of the welcome extended to them by all sections of the public on their arrival. Those first to come were Troopers THORNTON and JOLL (4th Contingent) and A. JOHNSTON (5th). They arrived by the 10.45 train on Friday morning, and although an awkward time for business people to attend a function, there was no lack of friends to greet them at the Drill Shed, which was comfortably filled with people. On behalf of the citizens, Mr Ogle gave the boys a very hearty welcome home, and the cheers given by those present must have shown the troopers that the pleasure at their safe return was genuine and honest. It was not long before they were surrounded by their numerous friends, and handshaking was the order of the hour. Perhaps the handshakes were not quite so numerous as those indulged in by the Duke of Cornwall, but the grips were hard and honest.
The same evening Trooper V. RHODES (5th) returned by the mail train, and again a large concourse of people assembled at the station to bid him welcome home, the Waitara Band, under Bandmaster Skelton, striking up just before the train arrived. Like his comrades he had to go through the arduous task, and was soon taken charge of by his relations.
On Saturday evening, quite unexpectedly, Trooper G. JOHNSTON (5th) came. As it was not thought that he would arrive till Monday, only a few of his immediate relatives were there to meet him on the off chance, but had it been known that he was on his way home the welcome to him would have been quite as warm as that extended to his comrades.
On Sunday evening a united thanksgiving service was held in St. John's Hall, the building being packed. At 6.30 the Waitara Rifles, under Captain Gray, and Lieutenants Dansey and Stubbs, fell in at the Drill Shed, and headed by the Band, and with the returned troopers, marched to the Hall, where services were conducted by the Revds. Garlick and Rawnsley. The choirs of the Wesleyan and Anglican churches were on the stage, and during the services sang the Te Deum, the Band also playing a selection. The following hymns, appropriate to the occasion, were sung: — "All people that on earth do dwell", "Onward Christum soldiers", "Soldiers of Christ arise", "O God of Love, O King of Peace! ". Tho lessons read were taken from the 91st Psalm and a portion of the last chapter of the Ephesians. The Revd Garlick took his text from Chronicles II, 20th chapter and 15th verse. The Revd Rawnsley preached from the 6th chapter of Mark, verse 19. Both preachers referred to the power of the Almighty in directing the success of arms, the former showing the faith of Lord Roberts, who attended divine service when the outlook was blackest, and dating the beginning of success from that time. After service the volunteers, again headed by the band, marched back to the Quay, where the company were dismissed, the band afterwards playing several selections in an admirable manner.
WAITARA NEWS.
July 24. — The ceremony of unfurling the flag at the school took place yesterday, and was at last brought to a successful issue, the weather proving propitious, although the morning broke dull. The Waitara Rifles, under Captain Gray, headed by the Waitara Brass Band, under Bandmaster Skelton, and with the returned troopers, marched from the drill hall to the school ground, where the children had been drawn up in line in front of the flagstaff. The Chairman of the Town Board, Mr A.W. Ogle, Mrs Ogle, Mr B.A. Hignett (Education Board), and the members of the School Committee, occupied the platform. In a few words the Chairman, Mr W.F. Newbery, called on Mr Ogle to address the gathering, which he did in appropriate words, referring to the emblem under which we were proud to live, and expressing pleasure at the fact of the occasion being one at which the returned troopers could participate after their arduous campaign in South Africa. He then asked Mrs Ogle to unfurl the flag, which done, three hearty cheers were given, a feu de joie fired by the Rifles, and arms were presented, the Band playing the National Anthem. Mr Newbery then addressed the gathering, expressing pleasure at the fact that the troopers were present, and showing by comparison the large number of subjects who dwelt under the freedom of the British flag as compared with other nations. He, during the address, asked the youngsters assembled who, when they reached manhood's estate, would be willing to take up arms for their country, and every child's hand went up. Mr B.A. Hignett also expressed pleasure at being present on the occasion, and stated that he was unavoidably absent at the official reception, and wished to welcome the troopers home now. He also gave a practical illustration of the origin of the Union Jack. Mrs Ogle afterwards distributed the medals to the school children, after which the youngsters were indulged in racing for toys. The band also played several selections.
In the evening the social to the returned troopers eventuated, and it is hardly necessary to say proved a huge success, the hall being packed. The first portion of the programme was devoted to musical items, and during an interval Mr Ogle presented handsome gold medals to the returned troopers. In doing so he referred to the fact that the men had willingly taken up arms on behalf of the Mother Country, and during the men's absence their career had been watched by numerous friends, and the fact of the large gathering there that evening proved that the men had acquitted themselves in a manner to be proud of, and had all returned home safe and sound their many friends could not allow such an occasion to pass without showing some tangible recognition of their satisfaction, and he (the speaker) had much pleasure in asking their acceptance of the medals, which he would ask Mrs Ogle to pin on to their tunics, as a mark of respect and esteem of their fellow citizens. Mrs Ogle then pinned on the medals and a bouquet, after which the audience sang “For they are jolly good fellows”, and gave three rousing cheers. The recipients suitably responded, each in his own way thanking the donors for the handsome reception and souvenir. During the evening songs were rendered by Misses Telfar, Edwards, Musker, and Hine, Messrs Howe, Hawkins, Mair, and Farmer. The Misses Badley contributed a duet, the orchestra a selection, and Mr Chappell a recitation. Supper was afterwards handed round, and the quality of the good things supplied by the ladies was done ample justice to. The floor was then cleared for dancing, and at a late hour in the morning lovers of the terpischorean art, like Oliver Twist, were asking for more. During the evening the Chairman read an apology from Lieut.-Colonel Davies, C.B., for his absence, he unfortunately having to go io Wellington on Tuesday morning, but he wished all an enjoyable evening. Excellent music was supplied by the orchestra, extras being played by Misses E. Elliot, Armstrong, and C. Bayly. The decorations in the hall called forth the loud praises of all, present, and the ladies responsible for the work — Misses Telfar, Elliot, and Black — must have been more than pleased with their efforts. With bunting, pictures, mirrors, evergreens, flowers, and Maori mottoes the building was hardly recognisable.
It is proposed to entertain the troopers at a smoke concert on Friday, evening.
