State: Ontario, Canada
Issued on: Return
Dates of presentations: 05/11/1900, 16/11/1901, 01/01/1901, 17/01/1901, 13/02/1901, bef. 04/06/1901, bef. 05/08/1901
Number issued: c. 180 (135 recipients listed below)
05/11/1900 presentation
Lieutenant F.D. LAFFERTY
7559 Private Henry O. WRIGHT
16/11/1900 presentation
Rev. Father Peter Michael O'LEARY
01/01/1901 presentation
175 Trooper Lorne Windfield Redmond MULLOY, D.C.M.
17/01/1901 presentation
244 Driver Harry Alonzo WRIGHT
179 Private Nicholas J. SLATER
369 Private [Sergeant] Alfred E. AULT
297 Private William P. SKINNER
Miss Deborah HURCOMBE
13/02/1901 presentation
7861 Private Joseph A.A. HUDON
Bef. 04/06/1901 presentation
Bef. 05/08/1901 presentation
Major [Lieutenant-Colonel] George W. CAMERON (also served with 2nd Canadian M.R.)
KNOW EXAMPLES HIGHLIGHTED IN GREEN
Reverse with the crest and motto of the City of Ottawa: "ADVANCE". Further inscribed: "FROM / Citizens of Ottawa / TO / [H.V. MacDougall] / FOR / SERVICES IN / SOUTH AFRICA / 1900".
Supplied by Mr A. Rosenthal, at a cost of $8 each.
"The reception committee has ordered 180 lockets. The next of kin of those who fell on the battlefield will receive a locket". This suggests that 46 lockets remain unaccounted for.
Nursing Sister Georgina Pope example held in the collection of the Canadian War Museum, Ottawa.
THE RECEPTION WAS MAGNIFICENT.
If it was possible for doubt to exist in the minds of the returned soldiers as to the genuine heartiness of their welcome home, it was certainly dissipated by the immense gathering which thronged the Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne Park last night. One could exhaust all the superlative adjectives in the English language and then not exaggerate in describing the enthusiasm and the magnitude of the welcome. There were at least fifteen thousand people present to greet the returned warriors and the boys were cheered as they were never cheered before. It was an audience of fifteen thousand young people. There was not a hundred grey heads in the throng. The demonstration was well calculated to stir up the deepest emotions and impress the memory for life. If to serve the Queen and empire calls forth such a display of universal love, it is surely a noble honour to be privileged to fight such a cause. The arrangements for the accommodation of the multitude were systematically executed. An immense platform served to accommodate the soldiers, the distinguished guests and the two hundred members of the Ottawa Choral society. There was no possibility of admitting fifteen thousand and providing seats.
The meeting was unfortunately too large to permit of the speeches being heard by all. The crowd, however, took it for granted the sentiment had the right ring about it and cheered vociferously. Major ROGERS was the only speaker who was given a really attentive hearing and perhaps not more than half could catch his ringing words of gratitude.
The part taken by the Ottawa Choral society was a happy one and added to the eclat and spirit of the proceedings which greatly enthused the applauding hosts.
The feature of the evening, of course, was the presentation of lockets to the soldiers by Her Excellency the Countess of Minto, who officiated in her winsome and charming way.
A copy of the address of welcome was presented to each man by His Excellency the Governor-General.
The muster roll was called by Mr Fred Cook, hon. secretary to the committee of arrangements, and as each man stepped to the front and saluted Their Excellencies, he was accorded an ovation. The better-known ones came in for tumultuous applause. Major ROGERS was first called, then came Captain WINTERS, Captain BELL, and Lieut. Gordon STEWART. After the officers came the men, who were called in alphabetical order.
The sentiment of the throng was aptly expressed in the mottoes stretched over the platform:
Welcome to the Heroes of Paardeberg.
As will be seen by the illustrations the design for the lockets which were presented to the Ottawa and district soldiers who served in South Africa is very artistic and pretty. On the obverse side of the locket is, in raised coloured enamel, the royal shield, with a circlet bearing the inscription, “For Duty to Queen and Empire”, this in turn partly encircled by raised gold maple leaves and the whole surmounted by the figure of a beaver in gold.
On the reverse side, in raised gold, is shown the city’s crest and motto, “Advance”. Beneath this there is engraved the recipient’s name and date of presentation, the inscription running as follows: “From the Citizens of Ottawa to Private ______”.
The lockets, which are fashioned from gold, were made by Mr A. Rosenthal. The tendered price is $8 each, and it is believed the gift will excel any given by other cities in Canada to their volunteers.
WAS HONOURED.
Father O’Leary Bids Farewell to Ottawa.
WAS GIVEN A LOCKET.
With kindly manner and cheery word Rev. Father O’Leary, the hero priest, greeted many of his Ottawa friends at an impromptu reception held in the Russell House parlour yesterday afternoon, previous to his departure for Quebec. …….
A pleasing feature which took the honoured Irish priest completely by surprise presented itself when ex-Ald. Fred Cook read a complimentary address on behalf of the citizens of Ottawa, at the same time handing Rev. Father O’LEARY a gold locket similar to the ones presented to the Ottawa boys, who were comforted and cheered on the march and battlefield by the unflinching, unselfish chaplain. The locket bore the following inscription, Presented to Rev Father O’Leary by the citizens of Ottawa for devoted service.
OVER $500 FOR MULLOY NETTED AT CONCERT GIVEN BY AMATEURS AT OTTAWA.
Ottawa, Ont., January 1.
At the Theatres.
TROOPER MULLOY’S BENEFIT.
There were bumper houses at the matinee and evening performances of “Leo, the Royal Cadet”, at the Russell Theatre yesterday. The attraction in itself was very creditable in every particular and in many minor details showed an improvement compared with the first production. The main feature of the evening performance was the address from Trooper MULLOY, the blind South African hero, for whose benefit the productions took place. Very few persons, if any, ever before got such an enthusiastic reception in Ottawa. The appearance of the blind hero upon the stage, when the presentation of a locket was made to him, was the signal for such a tumultuous outburst of applause as seldom falls to the lot of an individual. Mr MULLOY in a few very well chosen words stated as he has done before, that he felt no regret. He had heard the call for duty in what he considered a righteous cause and had responded. The fortunes of war had not been kind to him, it was true, but he had no intention of sitting down and whining. He accepted his fate cheerfully and had no regrets whatever. Referring to the righteousness of the cause of the war, Mr MULLOY said: “Wherever in the world injustice is done to Britishers, there is bound to be trouble”.
HONOUR HERO
Trooper Mulloy Acclaimed by Hundreds
AT RUSSELL THEATRE
Benefit Concerts Largely Attended and Gallant Soldier Returns Thanks.
An audience which filled the Russell Theatre from the front seat in the orchestra stalls to the back seat in the “gods” greeted the gallant Trooper MULLOY last night and the reception accorded the intrepid fighter must have made him feel that Ottawa City appreciates the bravery which he displayed on the field of battle for Queen and Empire in South Africa.
“Leo, the Royal Cadet”, the bright dashing military opera, put on a few weeks ago by local talent, was repeated yesterday afternoon and evening and scored a big hit. Coupled with the fact that the entertainment was of a high class character and well worth patronising, was an opportunity of showing tangible sympathy with Trooper MULLOY and a more representative audience never filled Ottawa’s swell theatre.
Of the presentation of the opera at both afternoon and evening performances little need be said. It was a repetition of the success scored on the occasion of its first presentation. If anything there was an improvement, the performers, being more at home, conducting themselves with the sang froid of old-timers. The best tribute to the performance was the good-natured, well pleased, highly satisfied audience which filed out at the close.
At the end of the third act last night, Trooper MULLOY, accompanied by his fighting comrade, Trooper George GRAHAM, appeared on the stage and was greeted with a vociferous welcome. The soldiers were accompanied by Sheriff Sweetland, chairman of the citizens’ reception committee, Mr Fred Cook, honorary secretary, and Major Brown, commander of the Princess Louise Dragoon Guards, to which corps Trooper MULLOY was attached.
Sheriff Sweetland delivered an eloquent address, in which he reviewed the triumphs of the Canadian troops and concluded by presenting Trooper MULLOY with a gold locket as a memento of the appreciation of the city of his bravery.
TROOPER MULLOY’S SPEECH.
When the applause subsided Trooper MULLOY responded in a speech, which only went to show how sad has been the shattering of a bright life. He is a clever speaker, and every sentence indicated the man of more than ordinary ability.
Trooper MULLOY said he was proud of the privilege of addressing an audience made up of the people of the Capital city. He prized still more the evidence of the kindly, brotherly, and patriotic spirit which actuated them in being present. He was glad they appreciated their soldiers. When away he was always proud of the word across his shoulder strap, on the badge on his hat – “Canada”. Just as they appreciated the men who fought their battles so long would they have men in the field who would help maintain Canada’s place among the nations it so richly deserves. He felt the call to South Africa because he thought he was qualified to go. He was always used to the rifle and thought he should go. He had enjoyed the liberty given under the constitution of Great Britain for nearly a quarter of a century and had done nothing to show his appreciation. He was in a position to go and felt it a duty to go. He had no regrets, and why should he have. He had no claim for credit in taking his misfortune philosophically because he was endowed with the common sense of Canadians.
As to the justice of the war, he decided on that before he enlisted; as to his sacrifice, it could not have been made in a better cause.
To those present who had lost friends in South Africa, Trooper MULLOY brought a message of hope. They had not died in vain, and their blood which dyed the red sand of South Africa a deeper red, was shed for the vindication of Anglo-Saxon rights. The world has been taught, and the nations now know that wherever a body of Anglo-Saxons are misused there will be trouble.
In conclusion, Trooper MULLOY thanked the citizens of Ottawa for the gift, and the young friends who had gotten up the concert for his benefit. In addition to the locket Trooper MULLOY was handed an envelope containing a sum of money sent by Mr Hanboury, of South Africa.
WAITING FOR “D” BATTERY.
It is the intention of the Ottawa Brigade to give the members of “D” Battery and the Canadian Mounted Rifles a good reception on their arrival in the city. …….
The presentation of lockets will be held at a date to be decided upon …….
Gold Lockets Presented.
GREAT ENTHUSIASM IN THE DRILL HALL.
Earl and Countess of Minto Gave Nurses and Soldiers Souvenirs of the City’s Appreciation.
The Ottawa members of the second contingent were formally welcomed last night and received the gold lockets, the tokens of the city’s gratitude, from the hands of Her Excellency the Countess of Minto. The ceremony took place in the drill hall in the presence of three or four thousand citizens, many of whom had been waiting since shortly after 7 o’clock. A temporary platform had been erected for the occasion against the west wall of the building, and the band of the 43rd Regiment was stationed at the southern end. At the back of the platform was a drapery of flags and the words “Ottawa Welcomes Her Sons”, and on either side of this legend were the words, “Belfast” and “Lydenburg”. At the end of the hall one read “Welcome to the Heroes of Paardeberg”, “The Heroes of Our Land”, “Their Glory Never Dies”. Over the entrance the word “Welcome” blazed in electric lights.
The returning soldiers entered at 8 o’clock to the sound of “soldiers of the Queen” and the cheers of the multitude. At half past eight Their Excellencies arrived and entered to the music of “God Save the Queen”. They were accompanied by Miss Pamela Plowden and Miss Elliott, and attended by Capt. Graham, A.D.C., and Col. Sherwood, honorary A.D.C.
Sherriff Sweetland presided and briefly welcomed the men. He said:
“I have much pleasure in extending to you a very cordial welcome. The words mean a great deal, but seem inadequate to express our deep gratification at your return. Your intelligence and courage and strict discipline have shown you to be soldiers worthy of your country and our Queen, and the words of commendation addressed to you by Lord Roberts and all your officers are sufficient proof that you have done your duty well. In conclusion I can only express the wish that all your efforts in life may meet with the success that has attended your service in South Africa. …….
Then came the event of the evening, the presentation of the lockets and addresses, the first being handed to the nurses and men by the Countess of Minto, and the second by the Governor-General. The names were read by Mr Fred Cook. The three nurses, Miss POPE, Miss HURCOMB and Miss RICHARDSON, were called first, and as they stepped forward in their khaki uniforms to receive the city’s gifts, the hall rang with cheers. The officers were called next and then the men, in alphabetical order, each being cheered as he stepped forward.
OTTAWA SOLDIERS GET THEIR REWARD.
Hundreds at the Drill Hall Show Their Appreciation of the Soldiers Who Fought for Their Queen in South Africa.
Presentation of Lockets Made by His Excellency the Governor-General.
Last evening for the second time in three months Ottawa honoured a section of her hero citizens returned to the peaceful walks of life from the shrapnel-scarred veldt of war-tossed Africa. As was befitting the occasion and the significance attached thereto the honouring hosts assembled in the drill hall. Every artilleryman, trooper and foot soldier who was to receive his fellow-citizens’ gifts, the beautiful gold locket and appropriate address, had a contingent of admiring friends in the anxious, admiring audience. Great then was the welcoming wave of enthusiastic cheers that passed and repassed over the sea of spectators, as each khaki-clad, close-knit figure separated itself from his fellows and stepped forward to receive the gracious gifts of the citizen army which admired and approved at home while representatives fought and won abroad.
The presentations were made by Their Excellencies Lord and Lady Minto. Many of the gallant fellows flushed deeply at the ovation tendered them but all gave the stiff military salute with native-born grace, born of discipline bred on the veldt.
Special preparations had been made for the pleasing ceremony and the drill hall presented an animated, attractive picture which will dwell long in the memory of those present. The word “Welcome” blazed forth in cheery colour above and outside the man entrance. The interior was also bright with the trappings of triumph and myriads of lights. About the hall were suspended several appropriate streamers.
Against the west wall a platform had been erected on which the honoured heroes were grouped. The members of the reception committee also had seats thereon. When the vice-regal party arrived it was escorted to the platform on which the presentations were made in full view of the audience. Back of the platform two streamers spelt out the simple terms “Lydenberg” and “Belfast”, terms fraught with the greatest eloquence as they spoke volumes of Canadian pluck and Canadian resource.
The band of the 43rd Regiment was stationed at the south end of the hall, and rendered a program of stirring military music during the evening.
Sherriff Sweetland was chairman. On the platform with him were Mayor Morris and the following members of the reception committee: C. Berkley Powell, M.L.A., Mr Fred Cook, Geo. Burn, A.G. Pittaway, Ald. Desjardins, Col. Jarvis and Col. Cotton.
The speeches of the evening were all brief and sincere. Sherriff Sweetland in welcoming the boys home again, paid a glowing tribute to their behaviour when beyond the pale of the family circle.
“Your intelligence and courage under the strictest discipline and in trying places prove you to be soldiers worthy of your country and worthy of your Queen. (Cheers). The words of commendation received from Lord Roberts and all the other British officers under whom you served go to show us that you did your work well. (Renewed cheers). May all your efforts in life be attended with the same success that has waited on you during your career as soldiers of the Queen”. …….
A pleasing feature of the proceeding was the presentation of lockets to Miss HURCOMBE, Miss POPE and Miss RICHARDSON, the three intrepid nurses who accompanied the Ottawa troops.
As the officers and men to the number of about fifty stepped forward at the call of their names to receive the much coveted lockets they were greeted with cheers and counter cheers.
Lockets at Ottawa.
Ottawa, Jan. 18.
CANADIAN HERO HONOURED.
GOLD LOCKET FOR CAPT. STEELE.
Citizens of Ottawa Present a Winnipeg Soldier with a Handsome Present.
