THE LATE EARL HAIG.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 30, 6 February 1928, Page 8

THE LATE EARL HAIG.

GREATEST OF BRITISH SOLDIERS. MEMORIAL SERVICE HELD EX-SERVICEMEN GATHER.

A special memorial service to the late Field-Marshal Earl Haig was held yesterday morning in St. Mary's Cathedral, Parnell. Among the congregation were Commodore G. T. C. P. Swabey and the senior officers of the ships of the New Zealand division of the Royal Navy, Lieutenant-Colonel Andrews, of the Defence Department, the DeputyMayor, Mr. A. J. Entrican, members of the City Council, members of the Officers' Club, and a large number of exservice men Canon Percival E. James, in the course of his sermon, said that the late fieldmarshal was great where greatness was needed in him—in character. The character of the man had been and would still be of inestimable value to the Empire. He emerged from the terrific! ordeal of the war the greatest of British soldiers. He was a man greatly beloved and honoured, not only by the troops under his command in the field, not only by the British people generally, but also by their allies. When called to be Commander-in-Chief he bore the stupendous weight of responsibility with a calm mind, a steadfast purpose and dignity, which kept silence in the face of criticism, both during the war and afterwards. In the darkest hours he never faltered. When peace came he sacrificed the rest he so sorely needed to devote himself to the welfare of returned soldiers.

Special prayers were offered in the course of the service by the Primate, Archbishop Averill. The "Last Post" was sounded, and the organist played the '"Dead March" in "'Saul."

A tribute to the memory of Earl Haig was also paid by the Rev. W. Lawson Marsh in the Devonport Presbyterian Church. The congregation stood" while the organist played ''The Flowers of the Forest," and afterwards joined in the singing of '"Onward, Christian Soldiers."