State: Victoria, Australia
Issued on: Return
Dates of presentations: 19/09/1901, 06/06/1902
Number issued: 2
Gold pendants, to:
19/09/1901 presentation
558 Trooper Charles Walter BLANDFORD
Presentation made by Councillor Hinton (president of the shire), in the Oddfellow's Hall, adjoining the Victoria Hotel, Huntly.
Inscribed: "Presented to Trooper C.W. Blandford, 3rd Contingent, by his Huntly and district friends on his return from the Boer [War], 19/9/01".
06/06/1902 presentation
1664 Private William John HINTON
Presentation made by Mr Allingham, in the Oddfellow's Hall, adjoining the Victoria Hotel, Huntly.
Inscribed: "To Trooper W.J. Hinton. Presented by the residents of Huntly and district on his return from the Boer war. 5/6/1902".
Supplied by Mr Frederick Napoli Prescott, Bendigo.
WELCOME TO RETURNED SOLDIERS.
Huntly, 20th September.
The welcome home to Trooper BLANDFORD took place on Thursday evening, and was a very enjoyable affair, the large hall adjoining the Victoria hotel being nicely set off with flags, lent by Messrs Henderson and Goodisson, and well filled by a number of the friends [?] of the Blandford family. Mr E. Hinton occupied the chair, being supported on his right by the guest of the evening, Sergeant COURTIER, of Kangaroo Flat, and Corporal O'BRIEN and Private BROWNING, of Fosterville, and on his left by Mr. Allingham and some of the members of the committee.
WELCOME TO TROOPER BLANDFORD.
Trooper C.W. BLANDFORD, of the 3rd Contingent, was on Thursday evening tendered a public welcome, and made a presentation by the residents of Huntly and district. Though the evening was very threatening, there were over a hundred present. The Oddfellows’ Hall presented a patriotic appearance, being decorated by the flags of the empire. Cr Hinton (president of the shire) occupied the chair, and on his right was the honoured guest and Sergeant E. COURTIER and Private BROWNING (Kangaroo Flat), and Corporal P. O’BRIEN, Fosterville, and oh his left Mr Blandford, sen., and Mr Allingham, chairman of committee. Apologies were received from Corporal CARR and Trooper GORNALLE. The chairman, in his opening remark, referred to the good work done by the Australians in South Africa, where they had upheld the honour of the empire. Mr Allingham proposed the health of Trooper BLANDFORD, who, he said, was a most unassuming young fellow, and one who was well liked. He had not been forced to fight in battle, but had gone and done his duty, and had returned safely. As one of the committee, all he had to say was that the gift to be presented to him that evening was only a small mark of esteem in which he was held by the residents of the district. The sad circumstance of the death of Trooper BLANDFORD's brother had delayed them from taking action sooner to recognise his services.
Trooper BLANDFORD was then presented by the chairman with a handsome gold curb albert and pendant, with the engraving of a trooper on the front and the inscription – “Presented to Trooper C.W. Blandford, 3rd Contingent, by his Huntly and district friends on his return from the Boer [War], 19/9/01”. The gift was purchased at Prescott’s, and was greatly admired.
Trooper Blandford suitably replied, thanking them heartily for their kind wishes and beautiful present.
Mr Blandford, sen., also feelingly replied.
Mr Town proposed the visiting returned soldiers, and spoke in the highest praise of the Australian boys. Sergeant. E. COURTIER, Corporal O’BRIEN, and Trooper BROWNING replied. Mr Town also proposed the committee, and the chairman, Mr. Allingham, respond. …….
A RETURNED HUNTLY SOLDIER.
PRESENTATION TO A RETURNED SOLDIER.
A pleasant ceremony was performed at the Victoria hotel, Huntly, on Friday evening, when a welcome home was tendered to Trooper W.J. HINTON (son of Cr. E. Hinton) on his return from South Africa. The chair was taken by Mr Allingham. Amongst those present were a group of returned soldiers, including Corporal CARR and Troopers BLANDFORD, ALDRIDGE and CHIVERS. A pleasing musical programme was gone through, comprising piano overture by Master Spry, and songs and recitations by Messrs Fitzpatrick, Stanley, Bannerman, Watts, Willyan, Withers, Jones, Goyne, Hughes, Hinton, senr., and Mrs Manderson. The chairman, in making the presentation, remarked that all were overjoyed at the consummation of peace. On behalf of those present he cordially welcomed Trooper HINTON back, and presented him with a gold pendant, inscribed as follows —''To Trooper W.J. Hinton. Presented by the residents of Huntly and district on his return from the Boer war. 5/6/1902". A pair of gold sleeve links, neatly initialled, was also added. The presents were selected from the stock of Mr. F. N. Prescott, and were greatly admired. Trooper HINTON briefly returned thanks. The gathering broke up after singing the National Anthem. The flags for the occasion were lent by Messrs Henderson and Goodisson.
