Advertiser January 25 19011
IN MEMORIAM
The late Trooper GW Bolding
On Sunday afternoon last, an In Memoriam Service, to unveil the tablet erected to perpetuate the memory of the late Trooper G. W. Bolding was held in the Mechanics Institute. The day was fine, and, as expected, there was a very large attendance. Visitors from all the surrounding districts were present in large numbers, and although seating accommodation was provided for about 450, every available seat was occupied and many were forced to stand throughout the service, whilst a number who arrived late were compelled to remain outside, and watch the proceedings through the windows.
A military parade was held, and the soldiers occupied seats upon the platform during the service, and there were present Lieut. Horne; Sgt. Bell; Corpl. Kirwin; Privates J. Bolding; J. Nadenbousche; H. Cooke; A. Macmillan; Colley; Lawdhorn and other returned soldiers. The Rev. Smith McBain (Chaplain of the Victorian Bushmen’s Contingent) conducted the service.
The ceremony of unveiling the tablet was performed by Lieutenant J. Hall, V.R., and in doing so he said, “ Reverend Sir, Ladies and Gentlemen, little did I think when a few months ago it was my melancholy duty to unveil a tablet in this hall which has been erected to the memory of the late Private Rose, that we should have been called together so soon to erect another memorial in honour of one who has grown up in this district, and who endeared himself, I may say, to every inhabitant of the community; but the unexpected has happened, and we all sincerely mourn the loss of an affectionate son, and a good citizen, and as true and valiant a soldier as has ever fallen in defence of the grand old Empire we love so dearly. His deeds of daring and valour are written in blood on the veldts of South Africa.”
Upon the tablet unveiled were the words2:
“Erected by his friends and admirers, of Morwell, Hazelwood and Yinnar, to the memory of Trooper George Bolding, who died at Pretoria, S.A., in the service of his Queen and Empire, October 24, 1900. Aged 25 years.”
At the conclusion of Lieut. Hall’s remarks the “Dead March” was played by Private Edgar (organ) and Bugler Bailey (Cornet) – the whole congregation standing in silence.
In a few well-chosen words, Mr Malcolm McDonald, on behalf of the people of Morwell, Hazelwood, and Yinnar, presented Mr and Mrs Bolding with a handsome illuminated address of sympathy. The service concluded with the singing of Kipling’s Recessional Hymn.
Everything connected with the service passed off without the slightest hitch, and the energetic secretary, Mr Hoyle, and committee, deserve very great praise for the excellent manner in which they arranged and carried out every detail.
- Abridged version of published article ↩︎
- Tragically, the Memorial Tablets for Privates Rose and Bolding were lost when fire destroyed the Mechanics’ Institute hall on Thursday, 10th January 1935. ↩︎