Etc. -- Frank L. Coombs' hero's welcome
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The following is a transcription from page 8 of 24 Jan 1901 Waterford Star
[Paragraph breaks inserted by the transcriber]

Simcoe

The enthusiasm of the citizens of Simcoe on Wednesday evening of last week, was unbounded. 

The arrival of the train bearing Frank L. Coombs, Simcoe's representative in the Second Canadian Contingent just returned from South Africa, was announced by the ringing of bells, blowing of whistles and booming of guns and canon crackers.

The 39th Regiment band with two companies of the regiment with officers, were on hand to welcome him home.

A torch light procession was formed, our hero riding in a carriage with Mayor McGill, ex-Mayor Sutton and others.

Houses along the line of march were brightly illuminated and crowds lined the streets.

On the arrival at the opera, Gunner Coombs was borne on the shoulders of the men to the platform, which was decorated for the occasion with flags, guns, etc.

On the platform were Mayor McGill, Wm. Sutton, Geo. Wells Q.C., Col. Coombs, Col. I. E. York and others. Forming a background were the soldier boys.

Mayor McGill, after a few words of welcome and well-wishing to our returned soldier, called on Col. I. E. York, of Waterford, who responded in a short address, full of fire and enthusiasm, which evoked loud applause, as he detailed the work of keeping up the line of communication that the troops had to perform, and praising the work of the Canadian boys, among whom was Gunner Coombs.

He was followed by Mayor Atkinson, who gave a strong address, detailing some events in which Coombs had a part.

Geo. W. Wells, Q.C., then spoke of our pride in being able to welcome home from his dangers and wanderings in South Africa a soldier and the son of a soldier, who had stood bravely on the post of duty.

He also referred to another Simcoe boy who was now doing duty on the field, Duncan Campbell, eulogizing the work of the colonials in the battles of the motherland.

The torrent of eloquence was often checked by cheers, as he described the difficulty of the task before the British army, the mobilization and steady progressive advance toward victory, and crushing of a rebellious colony.

Ex-Mayor Sutton then read an address and presented a handsome gold watch to Gunner Coombs, who was only able to utter a few words of thanks in his reply, so great was his emotion.

The following is the inscription engaged in the watch:
"Presented by the citizens of Simcoe 
to Gunner Frank C. [sic] Coombs, 
of the Second Canadian Contingent, 
on his return from the South Africa war, 
January, 1901."

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