The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-09-06 00:00:00

THE WELCOME HOME TO COLONEL
BULLER.

On Tuesday afternoon Lieutenant-Colonel Buller,
V.C., C. 8., paid a visit, for the first time since his
return from Seuth Africa, to his seat at Downes,
Crediton, and the inhabitants of the district assem-
bled in thousands to take part in and witness the wel-
come home. Arriving by the train which reached
Crediton shortly after four o'clock, Colonel Bailer
was met at the railway station by the Reception
Committee with the Rev. Prebendary Smith, vicar
of the parish, at their head, and was then driNen to
Downes in a carriage drawn by four grays with postil-
lions, escorted by a troop of Yeomanry Cavalry, under
the command of Sir John Shelley, about 150 local
Volunteers, and a great gathering of tenantry, trades-
men, members of friendly societies, &G. The road-
way leading from the station was profusely decorated
with flags and evergreens suspended in clusters and
festoons from rows of masts, and just after leaving the
station the procession passed under a handsome
triumphal arch, at the summit of which was a beauti-
ful crown of flowers, while on either side were ex-
hibited the words, " Welcome " and "Uiuudi."
Underneath the latter word was a large representation
of the Victoria Cross. At the head of the procession
was carried a large banner inscribed, "Wel-
come, hero of Ulundi "—a sentiment which VVrte
repeated in various forms along the route. As the
cevelcede passed on towards Downes, solutes were
fired and the cheering was continuous. When near
his destination a large body of school children, stand-
ing in fields adjoining the roadway, greeted Colonel
Buller by singing " Home, Sweet Home !" and he
seemed as mirth affected by this as by any incident of
the day. At the lodge-gate the carriage was drawn
up close to a temporary platform, from which the
vicar of Crediton read an address of welcome.
Colonel Boller, in reply, said, Reverend Sir,
Ladies end Gentlemen, Friends and Neighboure,—l
thenk you from my heart for the welcome you have
given me this dey. LI is pleasant to return home at
any time, but it is cxceedingly pleasant to return
home and to be met with kind words and amid mani-
festations of kind feelings and appreciation on the
pert of thoie among whom you have been brought up
arid whom you have known hone your childhood. What
you said so kindly about myself I hardly dare deal
with in a speech now, but I have to thank you for many
reasons for your reception to-day. I can never forget
what you have been 8,) kind as to say about my family,
and if it shall please God to allow me to settle here, it
would be my earliest ambition to walk in the footsteps
of my father. The reception which you have given me
now is more than the reception of an individual, for
I am sure that you are also thanking thee° men among
whom I have been and who have participated in the
honoure of tlie ci ay. I have seen in the papers complaints
of the conduct of men of the Seuth Africa, but I myself
have been living among them for eighteen months,
and have found then to be men, yeomen like
eoueseives, who have simply shown thernselvea
ready, as you would be, to fight for hearths arid
homes. I assure you that a more gallant and deveted
lot of men than those I had the honour to command, it
would be impossible for any one to have to deal with.
There were some young men who were volunteers fi:oin
England, but the bulk of them were genuine celon'ests,
and I know that in receiving me this day you; are
thanking those whese services placed me where L am.
I thank you all very much for your great kind') ea to
me, (Loud chime.)

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