R.A. MEMORIAL.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18551, 28 November 1925, Page 3

R.A. MEMORIAL.

REALISM IN STONE. UNVEILING CEREMONY. WREATH CARRIED ON HISTORIC GUN. (FBOM OtTE OWN COSSBSrOXOSHT.) LONDON, October 20. Sir James Allon attended the unveiling by the Duke of Connaught of the Royal Artillery Memorial at Hyde Park corner on Sunday, and laid a wreath at the foot of the Memorial on behalf of the Regiment of New Zealand Artillerymen, which is allied to the Regiment of Royal Artillerymen. The wreath, a very beautiful one, standing about four feet high, had a place of honour to the right of the Royal Artillery emblem. It had a background of bronze chrysanthemuiM fringed with green. The top centrepiece was a large spray of arum lilies, and on the background were green and gold orchids, and dark yellow roses. Around the wreath was a fringe of New Zealand ferns. The memorial is the work of Mr C S. Jagger, who as a soldier experienced trench warfare, was wounded several times, and won the M.C Typifying the might of the artillery, a 9.2 howitzer, one-quarter size larger than the actual weapon in use, orowns the memorial. The original "mother" of the heavy artillery, it stands alone, massive and threatening, its barrel elevated as for the work of destruction—birfc no crew serves it. Not a piece of scroll work or ornamentation is to be seen on the massive blocks of stone which form the base for the great gun. Those Who Died. An officer of artillery,, a gunner, and a driver, huge figures in bronze, occupy pedestals on three faces of the monument. The pedestal on the north side is filled by another figure. It is the unknown soldier, symbolical of the artillery officers and men who fell. His features are partly visible beneath the greatcoat, which, with his steel helmet, covers him. Beneath this solemn recumbent form ia carved: ''Here was a royal fellowship of death." Still lower is the inscription: "They return nevermore, but their glory will abide for ever."

Beneath this warrior, too, lies the sealed chamber wherein reposes the Roll of Honour of the Royal Artillery, recording 49,076 killed, 129,156 wounded, 6689 missing. Above, in bold relief, are the arms of the Royal Artillery, and below the howitzer itself the words France, Flanders, Mesopotamia, Dardanelles, Arabia, Macedonia, India, Africa, Egypt—testifying to the truth of the challenge of the artillery motto "Übkrae." A Eemindex of War. The grim realities of war in trench and "No Man's Land" stand out with, unescapable vividness action from the frieze which runs round the base of the memorial, well before the public eye. Here, caught in the mesh of barbed wire entanglement, is a stretcherbearer with outstretched arm vainly seeking to rescue the wounded. To left and right of hinij in attitudes of utter collapse, are victims of poison gas. Beneath him, painfully endeavouring, it seems, to struggle over a redoubt, is another casualty. Men are carrying on in spite of wounds and utter exhaustion. Straining horses Idrag forward heavy guns .their camouflage ripped to shreds by shell fire. Behind the guns are bare trees stripped of every branch or leaf. Heavies, howitzers, trench-mortars, Lewis guns —thirty or so of the most destructive types of weapon used in the war—figure in the frieze. One group in the panel shows an anti-aircraft gun in action. General Sir Leslie Rundle, president of the Memorial Committee, asking the Duke to unveil the memorial, said a considerable sum of money was raised, and it was decided to set aside not more than 12 per cent. for. a permanent memorial in London, the remainder to be used for benevolent purposes. Some £90,000 had been expended since July, 1919, on ex-artillerymen, their wires, widows, orphans, and dependents.

Becard of Casaattiesi The Duke of Connaught recalled that during the war over 888,000 of all ranks passed through the regiment. Of this number '49,076 were killed in action or died, 129,156 were wounded, and 6689 were reported missing, making their losses a total of 184,921, or nearly twice the size of the Artillery, Regur lar, Special Reserve, and Territorial, at the beginning of the war, and 25 per cent, of the total number serving. Decorations gained by artillerymen in the late war included: Victoria Cross, 18; D.5.0., 1118; Military Cross, 3187; D.C.M., 2602; and Military Medal, 14,581. "To the glory of God, and in honour ed memory of the officers and men of the Royal Regiment of Artillery, who gave their lives in the Great War, I now unveil this memorial." At the touch of a cord the Union Jack slipped from the memorial, revealing the three bronze figures on the pedestal, an officer of artillery, a gunner, and a driver. On the fourth side was seen the most arresting' figure of all, # a soldier on the ground, covered with greatcoat and helmet—just an ordinary soldier kOled in war.

Historic Gva. After 'The Last Post" had Bounded, a wreath was carried to the memorial on an historic gun-carriage. The badge on the inscription curd attached to the wreath was taken from the remains of an unknown artilleryman found on the battlefield of France, and at the top of the frame was a badge from the tunic of an officer who died fighting, his guns in action. This wreath was brought on the gun-car-riage, No. 3 of E Battery, R.H.A., which fired the first British shell in the world war on. August 22nd, 1914. The two horses which led the team of seven went to France with the original 8.E.F., and served onwounded throughout the war.