Tokens of Honour, Returned & Other Soliders - World W

Lot 4386    SESSION 16 (4.30PM THURSDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER)    Tokens of Honour, Returned & Other Soliders - World War

Estimate $2,200
Bid at live.noble.com.au

FAIRTON, Family Group to Brothers: Pair: British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19. 47049 Pte.J.A.Bremner. N.Z.E.F. Single: British War Medal 1914-18. 47050 Pte.W.R.Bremner. N.Z.E.F. All medals impressed.; also, F.R.A. (presumed attribution: Fairton Residents Association), fob medal, handcrafted in voided gold (9ct, 3.4g, 25mm), no maker, inscribed around rim 'Private J.A.Bremner From Fairton Friends 4.1.19' [illustrated]; another, as last, in gold (9ct, 2.8g, 26mm), no maker, inscribed around rim 'Private W.R.Breniner [sic] From Fairton Friends 1.10.20' [illustrated]; another, similar to last but F.S. & A., in gold (9ct, 3.0g, 27mm), inscribed around rim 'Pte.R.Breminer [sic] From Fairton S & A 1920' (see note below - Papers Past) [illustrated]; also, A.C.R.U. (Ashburton County Rugby Union) stock medal, uniface, struck in silver (26mm), no maker, reverse inscribed '3rd Grade 7 A-Side/Won By/Old Boys/11-8-10/R.Bremner'; another, as last, reverse inscribed '3rd Grade 7 A-Side/Won By/Old Boys/1-9-10/R.Bremner. Very fine - extremely fine, the last five with ring top suspensions. (8)

Together with original cardboard medal boxes.

47049 Pte James Arthur Bremner, 25th Reinforcements, F Company, NZEF, embarked from New Zealand 26 April 1917, DOW, France, 29 December 1917.

47050 Pte William Roderick Bremner, 25th Reinforcements, F Company, NZEF, embarked from New Zealand 26 April 1917.

From "Ashburton Guardian" 10th May 1920 - Courtesy National Library of New Zealand - Papers Past:

"WELCOME TO SOLDIERS - WORKERS FROM FAIRFIELD
A welcome home was accorded to a number of returned soldiers by the butchers and assistants of the Fairfield Freezing works on Saturday evening in the Theatre Royal. Mr W.Phelan, foreman of works, presided.

In proposing the toast of the "Returned Soldiers" Mr Phelen paid a tribute to those who had served in the war. Mr J.Johnson responded. The toast of "Our Guests" was proposed by the chairman, who said that the slaughtering department was extremely proud of the part its men had taken in the great war, 25 in all having enlisted from that branch of the Works.

Some had, unfortunately, "gone west," but those assembled were pleased to extend a hearty welcome to their comrades, who had come through safe and sound.

The chairman explained that this function was similar to several others that had been held to welcome home members who had returned earlier.

On these occasions medals had been presented to the men, and on behalf of those present he asked the "Guests" to accept a gold medal bearing the monogram F.S.A. (Fairfield slaughtermen and assistants).

Mr Phelan presented the medals to Messrs J.F.Hume, D.M.McKay, N.S.Hume, T.R.S. Scott, R.Macklan, W.Quinn, J.Murray, H.Hill, R.Harris and R.Bremner.

The recipients suitably responded. Several other toasts were honoured and in the course of the evening instrumental and vocal items were contributed by Messrs S.Scott, R.Harrison, C.Campbell, J.Thomas, W.Drennen and T.Minogue."

The tribute fob to R.Breminer [sic] from the Fairton/Fairfield Slaughtermen & Assistants, is being attributed to W.R.Bremner. It would appear that in 1920 there was a large meat freezing works at Fairton, which adjoined Fairfield, 4 miles to the north-east.

With research.