OLD COMRADES' GREETINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 96, 24 April 1928, Page 10

OLD COMRADES' GREETINGS.

U ESS AGE FROM SIR WM

BIRDWOOD.

fßy Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, this dav

The General Officer Commanding the New Zealand Military Forces, Major<leneral I>. doling, lias received the following cablegram from Field-Marshal Sir William Birdwood, Commander-in-Chief in India: —

"I shall be glad if you will once more convey to my oid comrades of the N.Z.E.F. my greetings and remembrance for Anzac Day. It hardly seems possible or necessary to use more words than these: As the years go on my memory in no way dims regarding those events; my affcction for my old comrades can never be less, while my feelings for those who gave their lives for all they held'dear can never alter. Will you please also convey my respectful greetings to the families of those wiio fell, and to the people of New Zealand."

The following message was received from the military headquarters of the Commonwealth of Australia:—"Kindest greetings to the New Zealand Forces from their Australian comrades on the anniversary of Anzac Day." Messages have been sent to Field-Marshal Birdwood. General Sir Alexander Godley, and tho Commonwealth military headquarters.

"LEST WE FORGET." Lest \vc forget Oh. drive away those tea rs And vain regret. It needs no tolling of the passing years. Lest we forget ! Can we forget those men. all unafraid — Who paid the price? Those nicn who faced all odds, and bravely made The sacrifice?

Lest we forget! Lift up the weary huart. No longer fret. This is our heritage—our daily part— Lest we forget. Can we forget that scarred and fire-swept hillThat dauntless band?

Thrown buck by countless fiery foe, and still They took their stand !

Lest we forget! Ah, can our humble pride Repay the debt? We glory in their deeds —in foe defied— In Death well-met. See how they leap—Dear God, so high of hope!— Upon the shore! See how they storm the deep-embattled ■lope— And rise no more!

Lest we forget! Ob, what an epic thrill Could pen beget? That dauntless band —at bay on crag and hillAll round beset! See what a piercing rain of shot and shell Upon them falls ! Oh, what a seething, raging, ruthless Hell! — But Duty calls! Lett we forget! Dear God, that cannot be 1 The seal Is set. Their name will stand through all eternity— Lest we forget! And so we come, with bowed and rev'rent head. Nor vainly fret. These are our living and our dauntless dead— We'll ne'er forget! —ELLA HASTEN.