State: Victoria, Australia
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: bef. 13/06/1902
Number issued: 1
Gold Maltese Cross, to:
5th Victorian (Mounted Rifles) Contingent –
984 Corporal John James DRYSDALE
Subscribed for by members of the Loyal Yea Lodge, Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows.
Inscribed: "Presented to Corporal J. Drysdale from Loyal Yea Lodge, M.U.I.O.O.F., In active service South Africa, 1901-2. A token of esteem".
The medal was "in the shape of a highly ornate Maltese Cross. On the four main arms of the cross are cut the words, 'Love', 'Friendship', 'Truth', 'Exercise Conscience', while in the centre appears a raised circle containing an extended hand, emblematic of proffered trusty friendship".
"A date is not yet definitely fixed on which the presentation will be made, but it will shortly transpire".
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Yea Chronicle, 22nd May 1902
A handsome gold medal in the shape of a highly ornate Maltese Cross is now on view at the establishment of Mr C. Begg. On the four main arms of the cross are cut the words, "Love", "Friendship", "Truth", "Exercise Conscience", while in the centre appears a raised circle containing an extended hand, emblematic of proffered trusty friendship. The reverse shows the following: – "Presented to Corporal J. Drysdale from Loyal Yea Lodge, M.U.I.O.O.F., In active service South Africa, 1901-2. A token of esteem". As will be seen the medal is intended as a souvenir from his brother Oddfellows to commemorate Corporal DRYSDALE's safe return from the Boer war, which now shows strong signs of fizzling out. A date is not yet definitely fixed on which the presentation will be made, but it will shortly transpire.
