State: South Australia
Issued on: n/a
Date of presentation: 05/03/1900
Number issued: 3
Gold medals, suitably engraved, to:
South Australian Instructors –
Sergeant-Major HARRINGTON
Sergeant TUNBRIDGE
Corporal JAMES
Subscribed for by the officers and men of the 3rd South Australian (Citizens' Bushmen's) Contingent.
Presentation made in the Old Exhibition Building, Adelaide.
As instructors, these N.C.O.'s did not sail for the Cape with the contingent.
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Adelaide Chronicle, 10th March 1901
The officers and men of the Bushmen's Corps are greatly indebted to the instructors who were specially engaged to drill and discipline them. The bushmen met in the Old Exhibition Building early on Monday evening, and made the following presentations: — To Staff-Sergeant-Major RYAN, a silver-mounted stick, pipe, and tobacco-pouch, and a sovereign case; to Staff-Sergeant-Major CONNELL, a silver-mounted stick, pipe, and tobacco-pouch, and a sovereign case; to Sergeant-Major HARRINGTON, a gold medal, a combination matchbox and sovereign case, toothpick, and pencil; to Sergeant TUNBRIDGE, a gold medal and sovereign case; to Corporal OWEN, a silver-mounted stick, a silver-mounted riding whip, and a tobacco-pouch; and to Corporal JAMES (in charge of the camp hospital), a gold medal. All the gifts, which were suitably engraved, were purchased through the Mutual Stores from Messrs P. Falk & Co., at wholesale prices. Lieutenant COLLINS, the senior subaltern of the corps, said they had subscribed for the purchase of the gifts in order to show their appreciation of the instructors, who had worked hard during the last three weeks to make them efficient, so that they would not be recruits when they arrived in South Africa. The instructors had thoroughly earned the thanks of the officers and men. (Cheers). He regretted that Staff-Sergeant-Major CONNELL, who recently met with an accident at the camp, could not be present. They sincerely trusted that he would speedily recover. (Cheers). Staff-Sergeant-Major RYAN said he would always look back upon the bushmen's camp with great, pleasure. He had found the men most attentive, and it was a pleasure to drill such a corps. He wished them a prosperous voyage and a safe return, covered with honour and glory. Might God protect them. (Cheers). Sergeant-Major HARRINGTON thanked the bushmen for their good wishes. He had never drilled better men, and he wished them every success and a safe return. (Cheers). Sergeant TUNBRIDGE wished the bushmen “good luck”. It was a pleasure to know that the efforts of the instructors had been appreciated. The time he had spent under canvas had been pleasantly passed. He looked forward to the “welcome home”, and hoped they would all be in the best of health. He wanted to see a wound or two to show that they had been under fire. (Hear, hear). Corporal OWEN wished the corps success and a glorious return. (Cheers). Corporal JAMES thanked the men for their splendid gift, which he said he would always cherish.
