Orders, Decorations & Medals - Aust Singles

Lot 5103    SESSION 18 (2.30PM FRIDAY 20TH APRIL)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Aust Singles

Estimate $4,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au

QUEEN'S SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL 1899, (type 2 reverse with very faint ghost date), - clasp - Relief of Kimberley. 725. Tpr. G.Cummings. N.S.W.Lcrs: Engraved. A few edge nicks and contact marks, otherwise good very fine.

Ex Spink Noble Sale 44 (lot 1034).

George Richmond Cummings, Casino, Richmond River, NSW; Trooper Cummings was one of those selected from the Casino-Lismore Half-Squadrons sent to England for six months training with the Imperial Cavalry at Aldershott before going to South Africa; Invalided to Australia due to enteric fever, along with another Lancer, Trooper Charles Edward Webster; Arrived 28May1900 when the steamer Moravian berthed at Dalgety's wharf, Miller's Point. There were 17 invalids from the war on board and they were met by the Royal Australian Artillery and members of the Third Contingent drawn up as a guard of honour while the RAA Band played. The Governor Lord Beauchamp arrived and accompanied by his Excellency Admiral Pearson and Sir W.J.Lyne, the Premier, he spoke to each man. The two Lancers upon arrival at barracks in Sydney were issued with uniforms and accoutrements and regimentally invited to stay at a city hotel for a week to recuperate before returning to their homes in the Richmond River area. They were also entertained at Parramatta at the Lancers' supper and smoking concert at headquarters and an invitation was issued to the men to attend Miss Elsie Hall's recital at the YMCA Hall.

On 6Jun1900 Trooper Cummings of Casino and Trooper Webster of Ballina arrived at Ballina aboard the SS Electra. When the steamer was sighted off the entrance to the Richmond River, the paddle steamer Protector, having on board a large number of friends of the returning troopers, steamed out and accompanied her to the public wharf at Ballina. As she came alongside the Ballina Band struck up 'Home Sweet Home' and 'Soldiers of the Queen'. The Mayor welcomed the troopers and they were then driven in a four-horse drag (private coach with seats on its top) to the Australian Hotel in a procession consisting of the Cadets and a detachment of the New South Wales Lancers leading the way. At the hotel both men were carried shoulder high from the drag to the hotel between lines formed by the Cadets. Then the Mayor, accompanied by the two returning Lancers, appeared on the hotel balcony and speeches were made.

After this welcome, Trooper Cummings and his parents left Ballina for Coraki en route to Casino. A short distance out of Casino a considerable number of townspeople met the party and a torchlight procession was formed, led by members of the Oddfellows Lodge of which Trooper Cummings was a member. Once reaching town a Mayoral reception similar to that held at Ballina was staged. On the next Saturday night a complimentary smoke concert was held to welcome him home again.

With research.