MALVERN WAR MEMORIAL.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18367, 28 April 1925, Page 5

MALVERN WAR MEMORIAL.

UNVEILED AT DARFIELD. In tlic presence oF a rory large and representative assembla?;.? of residents of the town and surrounding districts, a memorial to tho fallen soldiers from the Malvern County was unveiled «•» Aiimc Bay. The weather was dull and prey but fitting for the solemn occasion. The memorial consists of Bluff granite, erected in .1 column form of five tiers resting on. a square "block of tho same material. This structure stands on a concrete foundation of three tiers. The base is surrounded by a concrete kcrbing. The appearance of tho column i« grand but solemn, and it is a conspicuous landmark visible, for miles around. Tho site is partioulTtrly well chosen, close to the school, and at the junction of tho public roads to Christclmreh, Spriiurficklj Ooalgato and Kororata, Kimberley, Greeitdale and Charing Cross. The f-.rdor of tlic ceremony wa& of a combined character. Tho A tin at .String Tiand accompanied the hvnins. Short addresses were delivered bv tho Rev. 0. L. farrow (S!i»-ii>.(-!.I';. Hev. AV. H. A. Vickerr i' f "n:i-:mhie'!, and Rev. 0. Burnet 1 (Grrendule). The Uev. T. Paterson. (Kinvee) delivered an eloquent address, eulogis■iiitr tho deeds of valour of tho fallen soldiers. His sympathy went out to tho relatives; he exhorted his hearers to strive to emulate the spirit of chivalry that characterised the soldiers.

' The Hon. I>. Buddo, M.l'., expressed his pleasure at seeing such a large gathering present to do honour to the men who had mack the supreme sacrifice in tlvs Great War. He congratulated the committee on choosing an imperishable memorial that would perpetuate tho memory of the fallen for all time. The sterling qualities of the pioneers were handed down to thoir sons, and these qualities stood to them and characterised their deeds and achievements on tho battlefields. Although they met in sorrow and their sympathy was extended to their relatives, their sadness was mingled with pride in the fact that these men laid down their lives in a righteous and honourable oause. He dedicated and conseeratelt the memorial to the-memory of the men of the Malvern Comity who fell in the Great War. Mr Geo. Witty, M.P.. said that there, was no tear of these men ' beinc; forgotten by their relatives and friends of the present -generation, and the memorial would immortalise them for the generations to come. He was pleased the memorial was erected near the fchool, as it would serve to remind the rising generation wliat they owed to the men who laid down their lives for peace and 'freedom. He sympathised with the relatives and mends of the men whose names were inscribed on the memorial, but he was sure that the relatives were proud of their kith and. kin who had given the supreme sacrifice. Mr H. A. Knight, president of the Memorial Committee, in giving a, brief outline of the history of the work of erecting the memorial, said, that the tender was accepted on April 21st, 1921), but owing to the contractor experiencing some difficulty in securing the granite at the Bluff, work was not commenced until 1921, and it was completed in December the same year. Then the harvest work intervened and finally it was decided to fix on Anzaa Day 'for the ceremony. The work of tracing a,nd checking the names of the men who belonged to the county formed a very difficult task, and he was indebted to Mr Robert Eeid for the ■valuable assistance lie gave to this work. If any names had inadvertently been omitted lie regretted the omission and would be pleased .to rectify it. He said the first thought on this occasion was about the relatives of the fallen. To them he desired to extend his heartfelt sympathy and trusted that time would help to soften their grief. At the request of the president the memorial was then unveiled by Major G. F. Hutton, D.5.0., and the "juast Post" was sounded by Mr P. Johnston, of Kowai Bußh. The inscription reads? "In* grateful memory of the men from Malvern County, who fell in the cause of freedom in tlie Great War, 1914-19. At the going down of the sun and inl tho mdrning we will remember them." „ Floral tributes from the following were laid at the foot of the memorial bv:—Mr and Mrs Syme, Mr and Mrs Robert R>eid, Greendale Methodist Church, Mrs W. Clinton and family, Mrs Sleeman, Mr Mulholland; and familv, Jim Shirley and Keith Jarman, Mrs J. H. Jarman. Mr and Mrs Ked•J'ern, W. and E. "Watson, A. R.-Mee, A. E. Gunn, Mrs C. Poison, Mr and Mrs C. G. Jarman, and Mr D. Gillanders and family.