ROLL OF HONOUR

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 67, Issue 182, 16 May 1947, Page 2

ROLL OF HONOUR

UNVEILING AT HINDS HOMAGE PAID TO SERVICEMEN A milestone in the history of the districts of Hinds and Lynni’ord was passed yesterday when a roll of honour on which was inscribed the names of 80 servicemen and one servicewoman who left the districts to serve overseas was officially unveiled by Mrs W. T. Lowe, wife of a South African veteran and mother of three servicemen and one servicewoman. The roll contained the names of five men who made the supreme sacrifice. In spite of the inclement weather the Hinds Hall was filled to capacity for the simple but impressive ceremony. The chairman of the Hinds Social Committee, Mr J. Davidson, presided and welcomed all present, including representatives of the various organisations. After the unveiling of the hoard, silence was observed during the playing of the Last Post by Mr R. Milligan. During the ceremony Mr C. E. Hopwood sang “There Is No Death” and Mrs K. G. Fowke sang “Land of Hope and Glory.” The accompanists were Mesdames J. C. Whyte and Lush. Ex-Sergeant J. Bishop, son of a soldier, placed a wreath on the roll of honour of men of World War I and Mr W. Henderson, a member of the committee, and an old soldier, honoured the men of World War II by placing a wreath on the new honours board, the doors of which were opened by Mr Davidson. The wood for the handsome carved headpiece of the board originally came from the old Courthouse in Ashburton and was donated by Mr R. Tilson. The very artistic carving was done by Mr A. Elms, of Hinds, and the board itself was made by Mr A. Ramage, of Ashburton. In thanking all who had contributed to the success of the function, Mr Davidson mentioned that the men whose efforts had resulted in the handsome honors board bad charged only a nominal fee for their painstaking work. “Bear Ye One Another’s Burdens” “We owe a debt which we can never repay to the men and women we are honouring to-day. They offered —and some gave—their all for the four freedoms, ‘Freedom from want, freedom from fear, freedom of worship, and freedom of speech,’ ” said Mr Davidson. He urged everyone to give the assistance which the returned ' men wanted in the way of companionship and friendliness, and thus live the text “Bear ye one another’s burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ.” “We are here to-day to honour those who returned and pay homage to those who did not. World War I, we said, would be a war to end wars, and the second one was in the cause of freedom,” said Mr R. G. Gerard, M.P. “We must do moi’e than honour our servicemen. We must determine that never again must we fight another war. After the first World War we had an uneasy peace, drift, indecision, and then another Avar. Everyone of us should determine not to let it happen again,” continued the speaker. Mr Gerard spoke of the need for tolerance and understanding among the people of New Zealand and the nations, as peace depended on the ability of the nations to live happily together. “We marched together in war, so why not in peace? Let us determine to set an example so that .the sacrifice of those Ave honour today Avill not be in vain,” he concluded. On behalf of the county, Mr M. S. Turton (county chairman) thanked the residents of the districts for their war efforts. He referred to the sterling effots of Mr Davidson and Mr H. C. B. Withell and Mr W. G. Gallagher, representatives of the Rangitata. riding on the Council. Sympathy to those Avho had lost loved ones Avas extended by Mr Turton, who spoke of the hard days during the Battle of Britain, when one in every 12 pilots Avas a NeAV Zealander. By his cool judgment and keen mind, a NeAV Zealander, Sir Keith Park, of Oamaru, had done a wonderful service. Among the names of the county servicemen he mentioned Brigadier lan Bonifant. Mr Turton appealed to all to help the returned men to rehabilitate themselves and show the pioneering spirit which Avas required to Avin the peace. Representing the toAvn, the Mayer (Mr E. C. Bathurst) said that not all of the flower of the country’s manhood had been lost during the Avar, as Avas evidenced at a welcome home social held recently at Hinds, which he had attended. Many had answered the call of duty and it was fitting that honour should be paid to them. Peace As Far Away As Ever For the Ashburton branch of the Returned Services’ Association, Mr W. V. Joyce (the president) extended sympathy to the bereaved ones and thanked the district for the care it had taken of its boys Avhile they tvere overseas. “Peace is as far atvay today as it has ever been. We have to be as big in life as the men who died for their country Avere in death, or Ave Avill have yet another Avar,” said Mr Joyce, In referring to the inscription “Because yon would not think, I had to die” on the tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey, the speaker said that Ave must build firmly and strongly and forget pettiness. The district did wonderful work during the Avar, but its greatest glory Avas that of sending such a fine type of man overseas to fight for their country, said Mr Withell, representing the Rangitata riding. All over New Zealand rolls Avere being unveiled with the names of men "written .in gold letters as a token of gratitude. “Those avlio did not return seem very near to us on an occasion such as this,” said Mr Withell, tvlio urged the children to remember “Lest We Forget.” Tn spite of tAvo world wars, fear seemed to he creeping into our lives, said Mr Withell, and he spoke of Britain’s need for our loyal support. On behalf of the returned men Mr T. Parsons thanked the committee and Mr Davidson and residents for all they had done. Successful Dance A most successful dance Avas held in the hall at night, when a large croAvd attended. Music Avas provided by Mr Prattley’s orchestra, and Mr S. Lowe was master of ceremonies. An official welcome home Avas extended by Mr Davidson to L.A.C. D. Noble, who has returned from service in Japan. During the afternoon cere-

niony a scroll was presented to FlightLieutenant L. Noble, the last of the district’s serA'icemen to return from overseas. In appreciation of their valuable service during the war years, presentations were made to Mr W. Davidson, who had been doorkeeper at the committee’s functions, and Mr Stan Loavc, who had missed officiating as master of ceremonies only once in eight years. Novelty dances were Avon by Miss L. Davidson and Mr lan McConnell, Mr and Mrs Lithgow (Auckland) and Mr and Mrs C. Bevan.