Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 15/12/1900, 12/01/1901
Number issued: 3
15/12/1900 presentation
114 Trooper [Corporal] Peter STEWART
12/01/1901 presentation
1015 Trooper Arthur Ernest HUXLEY
Trooper Huxley's medal was subscribed for by comrades "in the local unit of 1st Australian Horse".
BOGGABRI, Tuesday.
Corporal P. STEWART, who went to the Transvaal with the first contingent of New South Wales Bushmen, as a trooper, and won promotion on the field, returned home by Wednesday's mail train. He was met at the station by about 50 friends, and escorted to his brother's residence.
On Saturday night he was tendered a reception, and presented with a gold medal by his BoggabrI friends. Mr J. Humphries presided, and in presenting the medal spoke of the good work done by the Australians at the front, and said that their guest must have done his share (although he did not boast of his exploits) for he had received promotion, been wounded twice in one engagement, and taken prisoner.
On rising to respond, Corporal STEWART was accorded quite an ovation. After thanking his friends for the cordial welcome and medal, he said that he had only done what every British soldier had done — his duty. The soldiers were not the only brave persons at the front, for his experience was that the nurses were, if not more so, just as brave as the bravest soldier, and they had done more than their share in making the war not such a death trap it would otherwise have been.
BOGGABRI, Monday. – A large crowd assembled at the railway station on Saturday morning, to meet Trooper J.H. APPLEBY, of the 1st Australian Horse, who left about 12 months ago to serve in South Africa. He was escorted to the Railway Hotel, where his health was drunk in bumpers. He was tendered a public welcome, and presented with a gold medal, suitably inscribed, on Saturday night in the Commercial Hall. The Rev. Mr Carruthers presided. Trooper APPLEBY acknowledged the gift in suitable terms. The chairman then presented Trooper HUXLEY, who returned some time ago, with a gold medal on behalf of his fellow comrades in the local unit of 1st Australian Horse. Several toasts were honored.
Boggabri. – On Saturday night at the Commercial Hall, a welcome was given to Trooper Jack APPLEBY, who has just returned from active service in South Africa, and never perhaps in the history of Boggabri has such a concourse assembled to take part in any public function as that which filled the hall on Saturday night, the large proportion of ladies being especially noticeable. The utmost cordiality and order prevailed throughout. The Rev. D.D. Carruthers, by request, occupied the chair, and performed the onerous duties in a highly creditable and pleasing manner. During the evening the Misses Horne, Miss Gladys Grover, and the Messrs Mackenzie rendered the following songs, “Our Jack’s come home today”, “Tommy Atkins”, “When the Empire Calls”, and “Soldiers of the Queen”. The ladies had provided quite a bountiful supply of cakes and sandwiches, lemonade and wines being found by the gentlemen. Speeches were delivered by Mr J. Humphries, J.P., and Messrs W. Conway and O. Devine, and several toasts were given. Gold medals were also presented to Troopers APPLEBY and HUXLEY from the Boggabri friends. After the reception dancing was indulged in until nearly midnight, music being provided by Mr R. Mackenzie and Miss Gertye Conway.
