FALLEN HONOURED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 67, Issue 220, 30 June 1947, Page 4

FALLEN HONOURED

MEMORIAL TO TECHNICAL OLD PUPILS ROLL OF HONOUR UNVEILED Dedicated to 34 old pupils of the Ashburton Technical High School who made the supreme sacrifice in World War II a roll of honour presented to the school by the Old Students’ Association was unveiled by Mrs W. Crawford (wife of the principal) at a function in the school Assembly Hall yesterday afternoon.

The function, which was largely attended, opened with the singing of “God Defend New Zealand” and a ‘Scripture reading by the Rev. ,T. Browning, who presided. It was just over 12 months since liis association had decided it waif their duty and privilege to give this memorial to the school, said Mr Alan Rattray (president of the Old Students’ ‘Association). The collection of names had entailed a considerable amount of work and he expressed thanks to those who had assisted by sending these names in.

Mr Rattray specially thanked Mr A. Ramage (woodwork instructor at the school) for making the board and Mr A. Elms (Hinds) for doing the carving at the top. “I have pleasure in handing it over to the school and Board of Managers as a bond cf friendship between the school and our organisation,” said the speaker.

Tragedy of War “There is probably no more poignant occasion in a headmaster’s life than when attending a service of this nature to do honour to the names of old students who have given their lives in the Empire’s cause,” said Mr Crawford (principal of the school). “During the war years it was tragic to me to think that so many of our students should find along their pathway the holocaust of war, and it was move tragic that for some this pathway should lead to journey’s end.” In World War I New Zealand had lost 16,000 of the flower of her manhood and in tlie recent war another 9000, Mr Crawford recalled. To the latter number, this old students’ association had contributed no fewer than 34. .

“When we reflect on these numbers we should do all in our power to preserve our manhood and not lose it every generation or so,” he said. It was not right that there should be so great a loss of young people with potentialities for good. Mr Crawford suggested to his listeners that they who were living must justify the sacrifice of the dead by securing the peace.

So long as Anzac Day continued as a national day of remembrance, honour would lie done to the courage, steadfastness and self-sacrifice of the fallen, he assured the 1 assembly.

School’s Excellent Record

The record of the school in the war had been one of which they might well be proud, said Mr H. Watts (chairman of the Board of Managers). “We on the hoard are proud to do honour to these young people,” he continued. In accepting with gratitude the board,'Mr Watts assured the association that as far as it was in the power of his body the memory of the persons whose names were on the roil would bo honoured and perpetuated. “May their names never be forgotten,” he concluded.

Mr W. V. Joyce (president of the Ashburton Returned Services’ Association) recalled that, somewhere about 25 years ago a similar function to this had been held. Through apathy, intolerance and misunderstanding another Avar had come along in 1939. “This cannot go on,” remarked the speaker. “We have got to see to it that Avar, the greatest creator of decadence, is stamped out with all the zest Ave possess and is not allowed to be repeated every few years. Example of their Sacrifice “I sincerely hope that all who come within the precincts of this board Avili be as great, in living for their country as they Avere avlio died for it. Only then will Ave get that peace,” concluded the speaker. Following the singing of the hymn, “Fight the Good Fight,” Mrs W. Crawford performed the unveiling, the New Zealand Ensign falling aside to reveal a handsome hoard made in kauri with oaken panels. Mrs Crawford also placed a Avreatli at the base of the memorial. Bandsmen B. Frew and J. I bell, of the Ashburton Silver Band, sounded the Last Post and then Mr Browning said a -short prayer of dedication.’ The singing of the hymn “O God Our Help in Ages Past” follOAved. The service closed with the Benediction and the National Anthem.

Among those on the official platform was Mr A. A. McDonald representing the Mayor (Mr E. C. Bathurst), who is absent from Ashburton.

Afternoon tea Avas dispensed after the eeremny.