ANZAC DAY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 165, 26 April 1935, Page 3

ANZAC DAY

ASHBUKTON SERVICES.

THE WAR DEAD HONOURED.

WREATHS LAID AT MEMORIALS. DEEDS OF EMPIRE REMEMBERED COMMEMORATION AT THEATRE. Though 20 years have passed since the epic feat of the arms that stirred the imagination of the world and thrilled New Zealand—the landing of the New Zealand troops on the barren shores of Gallipoli, on April 25, 1915,-*-Ashburton people still keep evergreen the memory of the men who perished in the landing and later on the peninsula and in other theatres of war, and services of commemoration were held in the morning and in the afternoon. The weather conditions were unpleasant in the morning, train falling at intervals, while the conditions were not clear enough for the service scheduled to be held on the Domain Oval. This service, the main one for the day was held in the Majestic Theatre, which had been placed at the disposal of the Returned Soldiers' Association by the management. There were good attendances at all the services, and that in the afternoon was such that the theatre could not accommodate them. . Though the military parade was not nearly so large a-s in former years, the turn-out of the men was commendably smart, the marching being a feature. This applied particularly to the firing party supplied by the "C" Company, Ist Battalion Canterbury Regiment.

A number of beautifully fashioned wreaths were placed on the memorials in Baring Square and at the Soldiers' Plot in the cemetery, and at each of these places appropriate services were held. The arrangements for the day were in the hands of the Ashburton Returned Soldiers' Association, The Military Parade.

Units which took part in the military parade in the afternoon assembled at the Drill Hall. The uniform section was smaller than usual, but there was a large muster of returned men, in mufti and wearing medals. Promptly at 2.30 o'clock the parade 7 moved off, marching via Burnett, East and Wills Streets to the Majestic Theatre. There was a large number of people on the line of route to watch the parade. The order of marching was as fol-, lows:— The firing party, in charge of Ser-geant-Major IV. Edmonds (W.O.I); the Ashburton Silver Band, in charge of Lieutenant 'AY. R. Tucker; returned men, under Major E. C. D. Withell; the retired list, represented by Lieutenant A.. J, Tyrrell-Baxter; "B" Squadron, C.Y.C. (dismounted), in charge of Major A. J. Nicoll; the Ashburton County Pipe Band, under Pipe-Major Alan ISmith; "C" Company, Ist Battalion, Canterbury Regiment, in charge of Lieutenants J. S. Quinn and A. I. Garriock; and' the Technical School Cadet Company, under Captain W, Crawford. Seats had been reserved at the theatre for the men on parade, and as soon as these were taken up the public were admitted. Many were unable to take part in the service. Captain N. E. Bicknell, of the Salvation Army, presided over the service on behalf of. the Ashburton Ministers Association, and he had with him on the platform Lieutenant-Colonel J. Hargest, D. 5.0., M.C. V.D . M.P.of Invercargill, Messrs J. Connolly, M. 1., W H Woods (Mayor of Ashburton), Pastor J. A. Tyrrell-Baxter, the Ven. Archdeacon A. J. Petrie, Colonel John Findlay, C. 8., Messrs E. H. Orr E. M Gabites, and F. A. Hickman (secretary of the Returned Soldiers Association). . . ; The service opened with the singing of the hymn, "AH People That on Earth Do Dwell," and this was followed by a Scripture reading by Pastor J A Tyrrell-Baxter. Then the hymn, "Our God Our Help in Ages Past, was sung. The Ven. Archdeacon Petrie led in a prayer, and this was followed by the hymn, "Fight the Good Fight."

Significance of the Day. Before introducing the chief speaker, the Mayor referred to the fact that it'was 20 years since the landing at Gallipoli, and said that a noticeable feature of the services that had been held that morning was the number of youno- people who bad attended, people who had no real recollection of the landing and who knew nothing of the great feats of arms performed that day and in the ensuing months except what they had been taught. The day was not far distant when there would not be a student even in the colleges, who would have any real recollection of the first Anzac Day. The day set aside for the observance of the anniversary of the New Zealanders' baptism of fire was a lesson to future generations. It passed on to the younger citizens those Anzac ideals of which the Dominion was so proud and it served to inculcate, so jFar as could be done, the significance of the day not only as the anniversary of the great landing but also as a eommemoration of the part our troops played in the Great War, as well as being a time when we could remember, with gratitude, those who gave their lives for us and for the Empire. The Mayor then introduced Colonel Hargest anil thanked him for haying consented to come to Ashburton for the service. The speaker added that Colonel Hargest was a real soldier during the war, one who would not ask his men to do anything he was nob himself prepared to do. (Applause). . Colonel Hargest then delivered his address, and his remarks will be found in another column. After the singing of the hymn,

"God of Our Fathers," tho service was concluded with the playing of the Last Post, the Benediction and the National anthem.

After the service the returned men and officials who had taken part were the guests of the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs W. H. Woods) at afternoon tea, which was served at the Soldiers' Club.

SERVICES AT THE MEMORIALS.

MANY FLORAL TRIBUTES LAID. Despite the misty rain which fell during the morning, there was a good attendance of the public at a short service held at the Great War Memorial in Baring Square West. Many beautiful floral tributes were placed at the foot of the column by relatives and friends of fallen soldiers and public organisations. The Ashburton Borough Council was represented by the Mayor (Mr W. H. Woods), Messrs J. T. Pratley, and J. Thompson, and the Town Clerk (Mr W. Patterson), and Messrs D. J. Morrow (chairman), W. G. Gallagher, and G. Kelly (clerk) represented the Ashburton County Council. Members of the Ashburton branch.of the Returned Soldiers' Association, of the Ashburton Soldiers' Club, and of the Ashburton County War Relief Fund Society, and representatives from schools and from the Girl Guides and Boy Scouts were present, and Mr J. Connolly, M.P., and Colonel J. Hargest, M.P., also attended the service.

The Rev. R. S. Watson, M.C, was the officiating minister, and he read a portion of scripture and offered a prayer. The Last Post was sounded Bandsmen A. Bright and D. Thomas, of the Ashburton Silver Band.

There were wreaths from the Borough and County Councils, Returned Soldiers' Association, County War. Relief Fund Society, Cavendish Club, Women's Christian Temperance Union, St. Stephen's Boy Scouts, First and Second Girl Guide Companies, Borough and Convent Schools, and Mr J. Connolly, M.P. At the conclusion, wreaths were laid at the foot of the South African War Memorial in Baring Square East on behalf of the Borough Council, Returned Soldiers' Association, and Soldiers' Club. At The Cemetery.

A number of people assembled at the soldiers' plot in the Ashburton Cemetery, where wreaths were again placed by representatives of public bodies and soldiers' organisations. The Rev. L. P. Bryan presided at this service, and two hymns were sung, members of the Ashburton Salvation Army Band providing the accompaniment. There was a Scripture reading and a prayer was offered; Bandsmen Bright and Thomas played the Last Post, and a volley was fired by a party from C Company, First Battalion. Canterbury Regiment (Ashburton Volunteers). The ceremony concluded with the Benediction.

Observance at Hampstead. Residents of Hampstead paid their tribute to the fallen men at a short service held at the Hampstead Memorial Gates at 1.30 o'clock in the afternoon, conducted by the Rev. R. S Watson. There was a good attendance of the public, of members of the Hampstead Memorial Society, of representatives of soldiers' organisations, and of children. ■* The hymn "All People that on Earth Do Dwell," was sung, the Ashburton Salvation Army Band leading, and the Rev L. P. Bryan offered a prayer. Mr Watson addressed his remarks to the younger people, and said jt was quite right and proper Jhat girls and boys and young people should ask the "question: "What does Anzac Day mean, and why is it in the Australian and New Zealand calendars?" Those who were older knew that 20 years on April 25 Australian, New Zealand, British and French troops landed oil tho Gallipoli Peninsula , and Anzao Day commemorated the heroism of the Australians and New Zealanders on that occasion. But the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association did not want them to think only of this heroic exploit on Anzac Day but of all tho others carried out by New Zealanders during the War. Events on other fronts, on the high seas, and in the homelands after the war should all be recalled. "I want you to think of several words this afternoon," Mr Watson continued. The first is horrors—war is a nasty business and no picnic. Many of the returned men hate to dwell on the horror of war, but it does exist, and the fact that it is not spoken of makes all the more wonderful the endurance of these men. Then think of heroes and heroines. Remember many of the nurses and women were just as brave as the men, and all of them were just ordinary people like ourselves who left their work to fight for their country. Do not forget, the bravery of those who were injured ami are still in hospitals. The last word is hone. The soldiers knew what it was to have hope. Some of their hopes were not realised, but they handed them on to us, and we are to see them fulfilled. The greatest hope o the soldiers was that there would never be another world war. Let us all hope and work and pray for the fulfilment of this," concluded the sneaker. . . The service ended with the singing of "O God Our Help," and the National Anthem. Wreaths were laid on the Gates by the Borough Council, Returned Soldiers' Association, Hampstead Memorial Society, County War Belief Fund, Women's Christian Temperance Union. Hampstead Women s Institute and the Ashburton East School.

METHVEN OBSERVANCE. Anzac Day celebrations were held at Methven.- Returned soldiers to the number of 40 paraded in the square and, headed by the Methven Pipe Band, marched to the Town Hall,

where a service was held. Following the returned men were the Methyen Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, Cubs and Brownies. The hall was well filled with residents. The Rev. Eric Osmers (Anglican) and R. Morgan (Presbyterian) conducted the service. Mr Morgan read from the 124th Ptealm and from the 12th Chapted of St. Paul s Epistle to the Romans. The address was delivered by Captain M. P. iW. Blathwayt, who spoke on the Significance of Ansae Day." The hymns, "O God our Help in Ages Past, Kipling's Recessional, and "0 Valiant Hearts" were sung. After the service the parade reformed and marched to the War Memorial, where wreaths were deposited and the returned men filed past and placed poppies on the wreaths. Mr W. T. P. 'Lock sounded! the Last Post.

OBSERVANCE AT MOUNT SOMERS A Communion service was held at St Aidant Church, Mount Somers, on Anzac morning. The Rey. Trevor Williams officiated, and Mrs M. L. Goodrich was organist. In the afternoon a combined Anzac service was held in the Soldiers' Memorial Hall, about 70 persons being present. Prayers were offered and a Scripture lesson read by the Rev. Trevor Williams (Anglican), and the address was given by the Rev. A. A. C Lion (Presbyterian). A collection was taken up on behalf of the Returned Soldiers' Association. Prior to the service a number oi floral wreaths were placed at the foot of the memorial tablets. The Rev. Mr Lion, in his address, suggested that a two mirmtes' silence should be observed at each entertainment held in the hall.

ROYAL MESSAGE TO DOMINION. KING AND QUEEN REMEMBER. WELLINGTON, April 25. The Governor-General has been' commanded by the King to communicate to the people of New Zealand, on the occasion of Anzac Day, the following message from his Majesty: "In this jubilee year the Queen and I are especially proud to associate ourselves with my people in New Zealand in their observance or this day of remembrance." GEORGE, R.I. His Excellency has sent the following reply to his Majesty: "Your Majesty's subjects in New Zealand most deeply appreciate the gracious message which, on behalr of your Majesty and the Queen, you have sent to them in connection with their observance of this day of sacred remembrance." GALWAY.