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The Orange Volunteers of the
Soudan Contingent
(Names)
Soldiers - Your prompt and spirited response to the
appeal made to you, some few months since, to join the Con-
tingent, which New South Wales generously offered Eng-
land for active service in the Soudan War, entitles you to the
warm approval and hearty congratulations of your fellow citizens.
In taking this bold and patriotic step, you made great personal sacrifices,
all of you having relinquished occupations of a far more remunerative
nature than that of a soldier even under the most fortunate circum-
stances. Whether the sad and tragic fate of the heroic General Gor-
don, the desire to take an active part in real warfare, or an intense
sympathy with the mother country, in times of trouble or threat-
ened danger, influenced you, you are equally deserving of public
recognition.
The unexpected termination of the campaign in Egypt, de-
prived you of the wished for opportunity of signally dis-
tinguishing yourselves on the field of battle, yet you did
all that could be done, or could be expected from true soldiers.,
whilst the instant that you knew that war with Russia
was imminent, you again volunteered to fight for the Empire in In-
dia. Your good conduct, discipline, and read performance of
the duties entrusted to you, and to your comrades, were noted and
approved of by the highest military authorities of the Realm and
admitted by all competent observers. Though you knew that in
volunteering for the Soudan, you were imperiling your lives, you did
not hesitate to answer the first call to arms made in Australia.
You have behaved so well that the people of Orange would be guilty
of inexcusable indifference if they failed to present you with some memento
of your important services to New South Wales, to Australia and to the
great country of which you are loyal and free subjects.
Congratulating you on your return to your homes and
to your friends. I have much pleasure in presenting you
with this Address on behalf of Orange.
J.M. Paul
Mayor of Orange
New South Wales
1885 |
