Silver presentation tray : Sergeant Major M Tuite, New South Wales Sudan Contingent

Large oval, silver plated tray with a raised handle at each end. The handles and rim are decorated with an elaborate raised floral pattern that includes roses, daisies, iris, lily-of-the-valley and fern leaves. The flat body of the tray is engraved with floral and geometric designs, including a diagonal band of ten finely engraved lines that extends across the tray. The tray is also chisel engraved (with the engraving being placed upside down to the direction of the flowers) 'Presented by HIS WORSHIP THE MAYOR OF SYDNEY Thomas Playfair Esq. TO SEGT. MAJOR MICHAEL TUITE FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE RENDERED AT THE SOUDAN ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF COLONEL RICHARDSON COMMANDANT N.S.W. CONTINGENT, 1885'. The underside of the tray is impressed on the rim '2835', '24' and 'M'FD & PLATED BY REED & BARTON...' (rest of details too worn from polishing to be legible).

This tray, part of a complete tea and coffee service, was presented to 1 Sergeant Major Michael Tuite at a banquet given at the Sydney Town Hall by the Mayor of Sydney, Thomas Playfair, on 28 July 1885, to welcome home the men who had served in the NSW Contingent to the Sudan. Before the Contingent sailed in February 1885 Playfair had offered 25 pounds for the man who most distinguished himself in battle, and on the recommendation of the commanding officer, Colonel Richardson, he announced at the banquet that Tuite was the winner, the tea and coffee service being substituted for the offer of a cash prize. The award was given a mixed reception by the men at the banquet as many felt that Tuite should be honoured for his efficient administration but not for any purely military distinction. Michael Tuite was a British soldier who had served in the Maori and Afghan wars before settling in Australia. He was also mentioned in despatches for his service in the Sudan.