Country: New Zealand
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 23/05/1902, 08/07/1902

Number issued: 3

 

Gold Maltese crosses, to:

23/05/1902 presentation

6th New Zealand Mounted Rifles –
3600 Lance-Corporal Herbert COOLING

3594 Trooper John COOLING

Presentation made by Mr F.R. Flatman, in the Woodbury schoolroom.

Trooper J. Cooling received a second medal from the Geraldine Rifles.
 

08/07/1902 presentation

7th New Zealand Contingent Mounted Rifles –

4411 Trooper Len HAMMOND

Presentation made by Mr J. McLeod, in the school room, Woodbury.
 
Obverse with a lion and: "VI / N.Z. Regmt."

Reverse: "Presented to Lance-Corporal and Trooper Cooling from Woodbury friends on their return from the Boer War, 1902".

The crosses bore a lion and the figure "VI" inside a laurel leaf and "N Z. Regmt." On the back of each was an inscription "Presented to Lance-Corporal and Trooper Cooling from Woodbury friends on their return from the Boer war, 1902".
 
 
On 10/04/1901, 640 Trooper E.C. EVANS, 3rd N.Z.M.R., was presented with a double-barrelled gun, inscribed: "Presented to Trooper E.C. Evans by his Woodbury friends for his services in the South African War — 1900 to 1901". There is no report of him having received a medal.

 

 

 
 
_________________________________
 
 
 
Temuka Leader, 27th May 1902
 

Returned Troopers' Reception at Woodbury.

The Woodbury schoolroom was crowded on Friday night when a reception social was tendered to Lance-Corporal H. COOLING and Trooper J. COOLING, of the Sixth New Zealand Contingent, who returned last week, from the front. Music was supplied by Mr and Mrs W. Glanville and Leslie Glanville, and Mr J.M. Ferguson acted as M.C.  Musical items were contributed during the evening by Misses Webb and Dawson, and Messrs Glanville and Cooling, and the catering by Mr Budd, of Timaru, left nothing to be desired. Dancing and musical items comprised the programme till about 11 o'clock, when the company gathered round to witness the presentation.

Mr F.R. Flatman, M.H.R., said he had a very pleasant duty to perform on behalf of the residents of Woodbury, which was to extend a hearty welcome home to two of their young men who had just returned from fighting the battles of the Empire. He felt sure that all present would echo what he said when he gave expression to the remark that he was very glad indeed to find their two soldier boys home again safe and sound. (Hear, hear). They had done probably more than they thought they had in upholding the honour of the British flag in the interests of their country. There was no doubt about it, the good old flag had been upheld in an honourable manner during the present war, and no one comparatively speaking had done more towards it than the New Zealanders (Applause). New Zealanders were referred to with respect throughout South Africa and in military circles in all parts of the world. Most people would like to see the war brought to an honourable close as soon as possible, and he thought that the clouds were lifting in that direction from what he had read in the newspapers that day. He hoped that a merciful Providence would continue to watch over the New Zealand lads who were still on the battlefield, and that they would return to their native land and settle down. He now had a pleasing duty to perform in making a presentation of two gold Maltese crosses to the returned troopers from their Woodbury friends [The crosses bore a lion and the figure "VI" inside a laurel leaf and "N Z. Regmt." On the back of each was an inscription "Presented to Lance-Corporal and Trooper Cooling from Woodbury friends on their return from the Boer war, 1902"]. Mr Flatman, in handing the medals to the men hoped they would be long spared to wear the same, and that the Government would liberally provide land for settlement for returned troopers as an inducement to keep them amongst us. There were plenty of big estates that might be profitably broken up to settle thousands of families in the colony.

At the close of Mr Flatman's remarks the company sang "For they are jolly good Fellows',' and gave several hearty cheers for the returned troopers.

Trooper John COOLING responded, thanking his friends for their kindness. He also mentioned that the New Zealanders had a great reputation, and the South Canterbury boys had done their best to keep it up. Lance-Corporal H. COOLING also briefly thanked the company for the kind treatment he and his brother had received at their hands.

Mr McLeod, in extending a welcome to the returned troopers, said they belonged to a Contingent that had done a lot of hard work in South Africa. Woodbury — through a small place — had done a great deal in helping to maintain British prestige by sending troopers to the front, and it was a source of gratification to them to known that their young had behaved like soldiers and men. (Applause).

Mr J. Bennett welcomed the troopers back on behalf of their mates at Orari Gorge Station.

A few verses of "God Save the King" were then sung, and the dancing was continued.
 
 
Temuka Leader, 17th July 1902
 

Reception at Woodbury.

Trooper Len. HAMMOND was given a hearty welcome home at Woodbury on Tuesday, July 8th inst., when the school room was crowded with friends from all parts of the district. Mr Green acted as M.C. for the dance, and music was supplied by Messrs Glanville. During the night songs were contributed by Mrs Glanville, Miss Glanville, Miss Webb, and Mr T. Quaid. At 10 o'clock a break was made in the programme to allow a presentation to be made to Trooper HAMMOND in the shape of a gold Maltese cross from the residents of Woodbury. The presentation was made by Mr T. McLeod, who spoke of the grand work done by "our boys" at the front which had done more good to the colony than might otherwise have been done in 50 years. He also mentioned that Trooper HAMMOND had done bis duty like the rest of the lads, and the enthusiastic welcome home that he had received in the district proved that he was greatly respected. Mr George Hammond responded on behalf of his son, thanking his friends for their kindness, and saying that he was pleased to see the esteem in which he was held after having resided with them so long. Dancing was kept going till the small hours of the morning, and all the young people thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
 
 
 

EMBARKATION DATABASE

Surname: COOLING
Reg No: 3600
Given Names: Herbert
Contingent: Sixth
Rank: Private
Unit: No 19 Company
Joined from: none
County/City: Geraldine
Age: 20 years
Occupation: Farmer
Ship: “Cornwall”, 30 January 1901
Address: Woodbury
Next of Kin: Cooling, Mrs Catherine
Next of Kin Address: Woodbury, Geraldine, South Canterbury
Relationship to Soldier: mother
 
Surname: COOLING
Reg No: 3594
Given Names: John
Contingent: Sixth
Rank: Private
Unit: No 19 Company
Joined from: none
County/City: Geraldine
Age: 25 years
Occupation: Labourer
Ship: “Cornwall”, 30 January 1901
Address: Geraldine, South Canterbury
Next of Kin: Cooling, Mrs Catherine
Next of Kin Address: Woodbury, Geraldine, South Canterbury
Relationship to Soldier: mother
 
Surname: HAMMOND
Reg No: 4411
Given Names: Leonard
Contingent: Seventh
Rank: Private
Unit: No 24 Company (Canterbury Section)
Joined from: South Canterbury Mounted Rifles (Private, 1 year)
County/City: Geraldine
Age: 21 years, 2 months
Occupation: Station Hand
Ship: “Gulf of Taranto”, 6 April 1901
Address: Woodbury, South Canterbury
Next of Kin: Hammond, Mr George
Next of Kin Address: Woodbury, South Canterbury (same)
Relationship to Soldier: father