THE VALIANT DEAD.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 300, 19 December 1922, Page 5

THE VALIANT DEAD.

GRAMMAR SCHOOL SOLDIERS* THEIR DEEDS COMMEMORATED. INSPIRING MEMORIAL UNVEILED. "To the glory of God and In grateful remembrance of the old boys of the school who gave their lives in the service of the King and the Emire, and in the cause of righteousness in the Great War 1914-1918, this column was raised by their school-fellows, A.D. 1922." This is the inscription on the monument which the old boys of the Grammar School have I raised to their comrades who laid down j their lives for their country's cause, and J which will stand for the future genera- , tions of scholars the most noble of all I the- traditions of the college. The monument, apart from its sacred purpose, is a tribute to the spirit of camaraderie and magnanimous unselfishness of the members of the association, j who have subscribed the total cost of | over £3,000. Situated in the foreground of the school, it is an inspiring spectacle to the teachers, scholars .and all who pass that way. Inspiration is the keynote of the memorial, for it is surmounted, at a height of fifty feet, by the bronze figure of a boy, standing with outstretched arm on a sphere, symbolic of the uplifting of the human soul. The main column is octagonal in shape, and tapers at its apex to form a Greek cross, and at ita base are eight bronze tablets bearing the names of 286 old boys who died in their country's cause. The headmaster of the school in the early days of the war started a roll of the boys who went on service, and when the armistice was signed it was estimated that 1512 of them had donned the King's uniform. The unveiling ceremony this afternoon was performed by His Excellency the Governor-General, in the presence of present and past scholars, their parentß and relations, and the relatives of the fallen soldiers, the large assembly in front of the picturesque school being a striking spectacle. Professor Thomas, chairman of the Board of Governors, welcomed the Memorial Committee, and then Mr. J. Stanton, president of the Old Boys' Association, gave an introductory address, in which he stressed the fine spirit which had permeated members in the raising of the monument and mentioned that they had contributed £3,350, of which sum the boys who had passed through the school since the commencement of the war were responsible for £750. Then followed the unveiling and address by Viscount Jellicoe and the sounding of the "Last Post." A dedicatory hymn was sung and the headmaster, Mr. J. W, Tibbs, acknowledged on behalf of the relatives of those whose deeds were commemorated, a touching service terminating with the hymn, "Oh God, Our Help," and the National Anthem.