Aust. Historical Medals

Lot 4130    Session 14 (4.30pm Thursday 20th November)    Aust. Historical Medals

Estimate $15,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au

PENRITH VOLUNTEER RIFLES TRIBUTE MEDAL, 1861, in 18ct gold (30.4g; 40.6mm) with suspension bar and pin brooch suspender, maker's mark partially missing but reads, 'C/WS', medal has machine turned edge, obverse, chisel-cut engraved with the Royal Coat-of-Arms, reverse with thirteen line inscription, the first three lines are very finely chisel-cut engraved in gothic style and the remaining lines are engraved in a freehand copperplate style, 'Presented to/William McCook/of Penrith/By his Comrades in arms/for his gallant and zealous/conduct in raising and/organizing the Penrith Volun-/-teer Rifles for the defence of/our Queen and Country/thereby setting an exam/-ple to the rest of the/Colony of N.S.W./1861'. With original ribbon which is split horizontally at base so is no longer attached to suspender, the medal with hairlines and edge nick on reverse, otherwise very fine and being unique it is of utmost rarity and a significant part of NSW colonial police and military history and Penrith's local history.

Together with an original cutting from the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper at the time describing the presentation to Mr M'Cook (sic, note M'Cook not McCook as is on medal). The article reads,

'Presentation to Mr. M'Cook of Penrith. - Just previous to the departure of the Penrith volunteers for Sydney, to take part in the review before his Excellency Sir W. Denison, on the 22nd of last month, the members of the corps presented a handsome gold medal to Mr. William M'Cook, chief constable of Penrith, as a tribute of respect and admiration for his unceasing exertions in organizing the volunteer corps of that town. The medal bore the following inscription:- "Presented to Mr. William M'Cook, of Penrith, by his comrades in arms, for his gallant and zealous conduct in raising and organizing the Penrith Volunteer Rifles for the defence our Queen and country, thereby setting an example to the rest of the colony of New South Wales, 1861" (note there are slight variances between the actual inscription and that published in the newspaper - journalistic licence excuses this).

Many of our readers may remember that Mr. M'Cook was, some years ago, Inspector of police in Sydney, and took a lively interest in establishing the volunteer corps that was formed in this city at that time. He was so convinced of the value and necessity of the volunteer movement that, since he accepted the office of chief constable of Penrith, he has been indefatigable in his endeavour to raise a corps in that locality. All who were present at the review must have remarked the steadiness and solidity with which the gallant little band from Penrith, who marched in front in their grey uniforms, went through the manoeuvres of the day; and, without making any invidious distinction we may safely say that they did not attract the least share of public attention on that occasion. If the Penrith men have made such progress in the art of war as may well entitle them to the admiration of their fellow townsmen, it is to Mr. William M'Cook they are indebted for their efficiency.'