Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

'RETURNED SOLDIERS AT HENDON.

SOCIAL AND PRESENTATION.

A social was held at Hendon on Friday evening last (writes a correspondent) to welcome home from South Africa Privates G. Weatherley and A. Riddell, the occasion being also marked by a presentation to the two returned soldiers. The small but patriotic community of Hendon has been represented in almost every contingent that has been sent out by Queensland, and it was early resolved that the Hendon lads, on their return, should be presented with some memento of their services on the battlefield. Watches were selected as the most suitable present, the first recipient being Private S. Washbourne, of the First Contingent.

Mr. Pickering, who occupied the chair on the present occasion, said that they were all proud to claim kindred with England in her days of peace, but when she was engaged in war was the time to show the world that we belonged to her. The colonies had done so, and Hendon had not been behind. He wished to pay a tribute to Lieutenant Davies for turning out such men as he had done. The present war would keep England safe in the future, as no nation would lightly engage with a power such as the British Empire had shown itself to be. The two men they were honouring that evening shared in the glory won by the Australian soldiers. Mr.G. Clark, of Talgai, in making the presentation, said that they had met to give a hearty welcome to two of their number who had been serving under the flag in South Africa, and to present them with a small token to remind them of their campaign and of their welcome home.

The men on active service had not had easy times. They were none of them sorry they went, but most had admitted that they experienced hard lines. But he thought the returned soldiers looked back upon their hard times in South Africa with considerable satisfaction. He hoped the watches he presented to them would serve as a memento of their home-coming and of their friends in the district. Privates Weatherley and Kiddell briefly returned thanks, the first mentioned stating that they had experienced some hardships, but they were nothing to what he was then undergoing in endeavouring to express his thanks for the honour and present they had given him. Mr. Weatherley, sen., also added a few words of thanks for the handsome souvenir given to his son. He was proud of it, but prouder of having sons able to go and fight for the old flag.

Lieutenant Davies, being called upon, said that he had come there to witness an honour done to two comrades, who were well deserving of it. He was pleased to see his men turning out so well. There was a lot in drill. The casualties were greater now than at the beginning of the war, and he thought the reason of it might be in a great measure attributed to the fact that the men of the later contingents were untrained. The Boers fled from the British bayonets; but it was drill that made them so powerful. He encouraged all young fellows to go in for drill, and any under his instruction he would do his best for.

Mr. W. Burge, who rose in response to repeated calls, said that he had known the two lads they were honouring that night since their infancy, and he was proud to meet them again. The district of Allora and Hendon had several lads still at the front, and two who would never return. They were enthusiastic in welcoming the living, and the people of Allora wished to honour the nobly fallen, too. He asked the co-operation of Hendon in the movement, and hoped that a suitable memorial would soon be erected. The more formal part of the evening's business was enlivened by music and song, specially enjoyable items being rendered by Mrs. Pain, Mr. Carter, Mrs. Hunter, and Miss Cameron. An adjournment was made for supper, which was laid out with the hospitality for which the ladies of Hendon are noted, after which an enjoyable dance concluded the proceedings.

The presentation watches are suitably inscribed, and as nearly identical with each other as it was possible to obtain them. With the funds in hand the committee have no anxiety in having the remaining watches ready for presentation as they are required.' from The Brisbane Courier 24 Sep 1901 (nla.gov.au)

'BEREAVEMENT NOTICES.

MR. LEN WEATHERLEY and FAMILY, of Bennett Street. Allora, wish to THANK Dr. In attendance, Rev. A. Hadden, Relatives, Friends, and Neighhours for their telegrams, letters, and messages of sympathy in their recent sad bereavement. Please accept this as our personal and sincere thanks.' fromThe Courier-Mail 31 Aug 1950 (nla.gov.au)