Country: New Zealand
Issued on: Return
Dates of presentations: 09/05/1901, 16/07/1901
Number issued: 15
Gold [silver] Maltese crosses, to:
09/05/1901 presentation
495 Trooper W.D. SMITH
1054 Trooper C.K. WARD (died, Johannesburg, 21/01/1901 [25/01/1901] - medal given to his parents)
Nursing Sister Ellen Maria MONSON (absent - medal given to her mother)
Presentation made by Mr D.A. De Maus, in the Garrison Hall, Port Chalmers.
16/07/1901 presentation
1150 Trooper Alexander William PORTEOUS
Reverse: "FROM / PORT CHALMERS / To / TPR A.W. PORTEOUS / MAY 1901".
The medals comprised gold Maltese crosses. On one side "Forget-me-nots" were engraved, surrounding which was the inscription "Souvenir of the Transvaal War". On the other side was engraved "From Port Chalmers to Trooper _______, May, 1901".
Designed & supplied by Mr Geddes, Port Chalmers.
Trooper Porteous example sold through Noble Numismatics, 11/09/2023, for $750 AUD / £405 GBP.
SOCIAL AT PORT CHALMERS.
PRESENTATION TO RETURNED TROOPERS.
Port Chalmers was en fete on Thursday evening, when those of the returned troopers by the Tongariro who belonged to that town were welcomed by the people of the Port. The streets were gaily decorated with hunting and lighted by electricity specially installed by the Union Company. At 7.30 o'clock a torchlight procession around the town took place, and was witnessed by a multitude of people. The procession took the following order: — Garrison Band, Fire Brigade, school children carrying Chinese lanterns, Druids, Oddfellows, Foresters, tradesmen's carts. Captain Leach was marshal, and the display of fireworks and coloured lights was very fine. Subsequently the meeting was held in the Garrison Hall. The place was literally packed, and the proceedings were of an intensely enthusiastic character. Mr D.A. De Maus presided, and amongst the others present were his Worship the Mayor of Port Chalmers (Mr John Mill), Messrs E.G. Allen, M.H.R., J.F.M. Fraser, J. White, F.W. Platts, T.W. Whitson, Captain Cameron, and Captain Goldie. The troopers marched to the front, led by Lieutenant commanding Waters and Lieutenant Dodds, of the Port Navals, the band, under the conductorship of Mr T. McConnell, playing inspiriting airs. The troopers were as follows: — Sergeant D. McDONALD, Sergeant T. WRIGHT, Troopers C. CLARK. R. FOREMAN, W. HODGE, J. COLLIER, J. BORLASE, W. SMITH, and KEOWN, of Balfour. As they marched to the front they were received with tremendous cheering, which was renewed as the Chairman called Trooper Watty JOHNSTON to come forward.
The Chairman said that the Premier had intended to be present that night, but not being able to get, had sent a lengthy wire, which he read.
The Premier's message was frequently punctuated with cheers, and was received with much enthusiasm.
After a pleasant evening spent in song and speech, Mr De Maus presented medals which, as the chainman explained, the people of Port Chalmers had provided for the men as a memento of the war. The medals comprised gold Maltese crosses. On one side "Forget-me-nots" were engraved, surrounding which was the inscription "Souvenir of the Transvaal War". On the other side was engraved "From Port Chalmers to Trooper _______, May, 1901". The medals were made by Mr Geddes, Port Chalmers, and in all respects they were artistically designed and beautifully executed.
As the troopers came forward they were received with deafening cheers. A medal for Nurse MONSON was presented to Mrs Monson, and gracefully acknowledged by that lady. A medal was also presented to Mr R. Bauchop, to be forwarded to Captain BAUCHOP; and to Mrs Porteous, to be forwarded to her son, Trooper PORTEOUS; while the chairman intimated that one would be fent to Trooper BOWLING. The three latter are still at the front.
The Chairman said that souvenirs had also been forwarded to the parents of Troopers WARD and SALTER, as marks of the Port people's appreciation of these troopers' devotion to their duty. At the mention of this those present gave a silent and respectful demonstration in memory of the dead.
An interval then interrupted the proceedings while the Ladies' Committee handed round refreshments, after which Captain Cameron and others made short speeches. The accompaniments during the evening were played by Mrs Murphy.
A SOCIAL AND DANCE AT PORT CHALMERS.
A very enthusiastic gathering occupied the Garrison Hall at Port Chalmers last evening to welcome the Port Chalmers men in the fourth and fifth contingents — namely, Sergeant-major BOWLING and Trooper PORTEOUS. The welcome took the shape of a social and dance, and the function proved an immense success. The hall was tastefully decorated by Mr Marr. Patriotic emblems, flags picturesquely grouped, and shields bearing Ihe names of Roberts, Kitchener, French, Robin, and other prominent soldiers adorned the walls, and at the back of the hall the inscription appeared, "You've done your duty". His Worship the Mayor of Port Chalmers (Mr John Mill) presided, and as the returned troopers marched to the seats on the stage prepared for them, they were received with tumultuous applause. They were accompanied by Troopers ROSS and MOORE, of Dunedin. There were also on the platform Messrs D.A. De Maus (ex-mayor of Port Chalmers), H. Chisholm (chairman of the Dunedin Patriotic Committee), and the following old veterans – Messrs Fullarton, McKay, and Lyell. Mr and Mrs Bowling and Mrs and Miss Porteous were also in the room, and were singled out for demonstrative applause on arrival.
His Worship, in opening the proceedings, said it was not necessary for him to say that they were all present to welcome back two of their worthy soldiers who had been to the front. He was sure that they were all delighted to see them back. (Loud applause). They had done wonderful work in South Africa. —(Applause). They had been the means of raising New Zealand in Ihe estimation of every country under the sun. (Loud applause). They had been the means of bringing us into notoriety — notoriety that would never he effaced; notoriety that would be handed down to posterity. — (Applause). Their actions had instilled into the hearts of all young New Zealanders a great enthusiasm, and would cause them to follow in their footsteps hereafter if occasion required. All New Zealand was proud that our boys had been the means of assisting the old country in this war. Everyone was delighted to think that our boys had fought side by side with the British regulars, and maintained by their valour and dash the honour of the British nation. (Applause). Lately he had had the pleasure of travelling with some of the returned troopers to the Bluff, and he was assured that the Port Chalmers boys deserved to be well thought of by every inhabitant in the place. The presence of the large crowd that evening was a sure indication that the men did have this respect and esteem. The men that went to the front had been the means of opening up a trade between New Zealand and South Africa. That trade had been of great extent, and it had come to stay. Last week there was a steamer in Port loaded up with grain and coal for South Africa. This sort of thing gave employment to many, and he said that the fact that this had been brought about by the gallant actions of our men should alone claim for them the respect and great goodwill of the community. — (Applause). He had to apologise that evening for the absence of the Mayor of Dunedin, who was detained in town by an important meeting of the Tramways Committee. He also had an apology for the absence of their worthy member, Mr Allen, who hoped they would spend a pleasant evening. Captain Cameron also apologised for his absence, as did Mr J.F.M. Fraser.
Some highly enjoyable musical items having then been rendered, the Mayor called upon Mr Chisholm, who was received with loud applause. In the course of an excellent speech, and one imbued with the speaker's characteristic patriotic fervour, Mr Chisholm said that having had something to do with the sending away of these contingents, they could readily understand it afforded him great pleasure indeed to come down to Port Chalmers and join with them in giving a hearty royal welcome to the two boys who had come back safe and sound. — (Loud applause). When they considered the size of the place and its population, there was no town in New Zealand that had been more loyal and patriotic or had done more to sustain the prestige of the Empire than had Port Chalmers. (Applause). If there were a man in any of the contingents whose name was more often than any other's on the lips of the troopers it was Captain Bauchop. — (Loud applause). Captain Bauchop had well earned the distinction that the authorities had been pleased to confer on him. No one could overestimate the value that it had been to New Zealand to send these men to South Africa. Think of the immense advantages that had been gained by their prowess in the field of battle. Just think of the 23rd March, how these brave fellows on the African veldt spent that day. Rising early in the morning a Boer convoy was seen in the distance. The officer in command gave the word to charge. "Charge for the guns", he said. Sweeping down on them, inch by inch they contested the ground, turned the Boer flank, and captured nine guns, 159 Boers, Cape waggons, ammunition, rifles, and came back flushed with victory and glory. — (Loud applause). Think of the advantages these boys of the contingents would be to New Zealand if any of the Powers on the Continent threatened our colony. Those boys would arise as one, and stand as a wall of fire around our shores, and offer an impregnable front to any enemy who would dare to assail us. — (Prolonged applause). Mr Chisholm concluded by once more referring to the admiration and esteem which the Port Chalmers people would ever entertain towards their returned troopers.
The Mayor said that the Patriotic Committee had decided to mark their appreciation of the gallant conduct of the Port boys by presenting them with a gold medal. The medals were similar to those presented to the Port troopers already returned, and, as had previously been stated, they are of chaste and artistic design.
The Lady Mayoress of Port Chalmers (Mrs John Mill) then handed the medals to Sergeant-major BOWLING and Trooper PORTEOUS amidst an enthusiastic demonstration. Cheers were vigorously given in their honour.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Mr A. Fullerton, on behalf of the veterans, returned thanks for the invitation that had been extended them to be present. The manner in which the colonies had responded to the call of the mother land was a grand object lesson, and he was pleased to see how our hoys had acquitted themselves alongside the tried men of the British army, who had bled for the Union Jack in all climes where the sun shone.
Further musical items were then given, alter which Mr De Maus addressed the meeting. He regretted having come after Mr Chisholm, whom Sir Joseph Ward had designated the champion patriotic speaker of New Zealand. — (Laughter and loud applause). He was delighted to be there in welcoming back the boys, and an extra a thrill ran through him as he saw before him the parents of these gallant lads. — (Applause). They had all done honour to their parents and their country. — (Loud applause.) The Port, although a small community, had sent away a goodly number, and could have sent more, as they all knew. — (Applause). They went as ordinary troopers, but many of them came back raised from the ranks. As to Sergeant-major BOWLING, it was worthy of note that his father and grandfather were both soldiers. He asked Mr Bowling was not that correct? — (Mr Bowling: Yes, and his grandfather's father). — (Loud applause). Mr De Maus concluded by quoting the following newspaper extract: — "At a banquet given at the barracks, Windsor, on December 6 to the South African detachment of the First Life Guards, Corporal-major Quigley, in replying to the principal toast of the evening, said: 'I should not like to sit down without paying a tribute to our gallant colonial troops. There are no soldiers in the world like our colonials, and if there are any nearer my heart than the others they are the noble fellows from far-off New Zealand, who are splendid soldiers every one of them.' " Before them, the speaker added, was a sample of these New Zealanders. — (Applause).
At this stage Corporal DRINNAN, D.S.O.., of Hilton, and Trooper BURGESS entered the room, and received an ovation.
The Mayor, in introducing them, said that Corporal DRINNAN gained the great distinction of D.S.O. by capturing, single-handed, a Boer gun and two Boer gunners. In doing so his hat was knocked off with a bullet.
Three ringing cheers were given for the two soldiers.
Mr Bowling returned thanks for the kindly utterances expressed towards his son and the other troopers. He said these men were following in the noble traditions of the past. They had proved themselves worthy of the race, and we could safely leave ourselves in their hands. They had shown that there was no doubt that the men of the present day were as good as those who had gone before. The memento his son had received would be treasured as an heirloom in the family, and would be so regarded by his son's children in the time to come. — (Loud applause).
Sergeant-major BOWLING also suitably returned thanks. The musical programme gone through was an admirable one in every respect. Mrs Murphy presided at the piano, and songs were contributed by Misses Murphy, Marks, Ray-Davis, Marks, Messrs Jago and Moss. The numbers were so greatly appreciated that every one of the singers was encored.
