State: New South Wales, Australia
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 12/06/1902
Number issued: 1
Gold medal, suitably inscribed, to:
HOBBY'S YARDS.
THE RETURNED SOLDIER’S WELCOME TO CORPORAL FENTON.
On Thursday evening last Corporal J. FENTON was entertained by the people of Hobby's Yards at a banquet, or rather a social at the residence of Mrs. S. Davidson. About seventy of his friends attended and took part in the proceedings. The toasts proposed and honored were "The King", "The Commonwealth", and "The Guest". Suitable speeches and patriotic songs were rendered.
The chair was taken by Mr J. Melville, who, in proposing the "King", spoke at length on the coming Coronation, which he was glad to say would be ushered in in a time of peace and unity throughout the Empire. This toast was honoured amidst much enthusiasm and the singing of the National Anthem.
Mr G. McIvor proposed the "Guest" and after a very eulogistic address and a little advice in which he hoped that Corporal FENTON would not let the past be lost in the future, but now that he had gained a promotion — (two stripes) — and commenced to make a name for himself he would follow up and still make a greater name for himself. Mr McIvor then went on to refer to instances showing how men have become great and still have not made as good a beginning as Corporal FENTON. Mr McIvor then presented Corporal FENTON, on behalf of his many friends, with a gold medal suitably inscribed.
The guest suitably responded to the toast in a few words. He related some of his experiences and proved himself a very chatty guest for the remainder of the evening. The song for this toast was "Soldiers of the King", sung by Mr R. Melville.
Mr L. Davidson, in honouring the "Commonwealth", also eulogised the guest and spoke in praise of services rendered loyally to the Empire by our soldiers of the Commonwealth. These remarks were supplemented by a song by Mr P. McKenzie, "Australia fights for Britain's rights".
Mr N. McKellar then proposed the health of "The ladies", which was responded to by Mr H. Johnson, who took occasion to refer to their action in so liberally providing the good repast for the evening. They had also contributed to the evening's entertainment in the way of musical items.
The ladies who provided the musical programme were the Misses Davidson, Miss McKenzie, Miss Melville, and Miss Annie Gambrill. Mr H. West, a returned soldier, a visitor from Sydney, also sang, and Mr J. Brown supplied several cornet solos.
A RETURNED SOLDIER WELCOMED AT HOBBY'S YARDS.