MARCH THROUGH CITY

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23004, 26 April 1940, Page 12

MARCH THROUGH CITY

IMPRESSIVE SCENE MORE THAN 2000 MEN TAKE PART With Anzac Day assuming a greater significance now that the Empire is again at war, the parade of war veterans and troops through the city streets yesterday afternoon became more impressive both in importance and in numbers than in more recent years. For the years from 1933 to 1937, the parade diminished in strength and yesterday's display by past and present men of the forces indicated that with them die purpose of Anzac is as deep as ever. The many thousands lining the route of the march showed that the profound sacredness of the day—a salute to those who failed to return from the first Great War —is reverently honoured. It was a perfect autumn day—sunny and balmy, with just enough breeze to stir the flags on the many poles on city buildings. From an early hour in the afternoon the crowds began to assemble along the route from Cranmer square to King Edward Barracks, via Kilmore street, Victoria street. Colombo street, and Cashel street, and half an hour before the parade was scheduled to move off every place of vantage was taken. Once again the Bridge of Remembrance held by far the biggest crowd on any part of the long route. There the crowd was standing nine or 10 deep. The scene at Cranmer square, where the parade assembled, was full of life and colour. The organisation was splendid. Without any hitch or fuss, the many units marched on to the parade ground, and in long, serried rows took up their positions alongside the markers. At the head of the units were the Old Contemptibles, with their colours, and then came the Veterans, members of the British Forces, the Australians, and the New Zealand returned soldiers. The ranks of the New Zealanders were divided on this occasion, for many paraded as members of the National Military Service with the serving armed forces. In the aggregate, however, the returned soldiers attended in larger numbers than for several years past. As became a nation at war, the territorial strength was also stronger, and the Air Force was represented by a smart contingent. No units of the 2nd Echelon were on parade; their day will be to-morrow, when the citizens of Christchurch will bid them farewell. As 2 o’clock struck, the parade moved off, bands heading the various contingents. It was such a long parade that the Old Contemptibles were passing through Cathedral square when the last of the Territorials were given the order to march. The display thrilled the immense crowds lining the streets, but, as has become customary on Anzac Day, they watched silently. , _ „ „ ~ Lieutenant-Colonel R. B. Smythe, D.5.0., was in charge of the military section and the National Military Reserve and Colonel H. C. Hurst commanded the first part of the parade. Lieutenant-Colonel Smythe’s staff were Captain F. Mclntosh and Lieutenant A. R. Currie. Sergeant-majors W. L. Glanville, W. Andrew, H. Fretwell, A. L. Emerson, and Sergeant A. R Brady were the parade sergeants. The Parade State Details of the composition of the parade were as follows; — Officers. Men. Former servicemen— Wreath-bearers .. Old Contemptibles .. Former Naval Men’s Association .. Australian I.F. .. Aegean Society- .. N.Z. Artillery ... N.Z. Mounted Rifles ~ N.Z. Infantry .. N.Z. Rifle Brigade .. —• 60 N.Z. Engineers N.Z. Medical Corps - 25 ~ ~970 Territorials — Regular Forces .. H 20 National Reserve .. 16 160 R.N.V.R. .. 2 50 R.N.Z.A.F. -.3 C.iY.C. „ • • 2 26 9th Battery, N.Z. A. .. 3 44 10th Battery, N.Z.A. ... 3 51 16th Battery, N.Z.A. ..3 31 3rd Field Co., N.Z.E. .. 5 110. Southern District Sighallers 2 34 Canterbury Regiment .. 17 188 3rd Composite Co., N.Z.A.S.C. .. 5 7o 3rd Field Ambulance ~5 5b Bands— C.Y.C, •• 1 30 Ist Canty. Regiment ..1 35 R.N.Z.A.F. .. Bugle • • Woolston 1 30 Salvation Army .. 1 30 Caledonian Pipe .. Municipal .. Christchurch Pipe .. 1 24 Highland Pipe .. 82 2075 IN OTHER CENTRES Auckland —A dawn parade was held at the Cenotaph in the Domain at 5 a.m. About .2000 took part in the parade, and there was an attendance of between 10,000 and 15.000. There was also a large attendance at the 11 o’clock service at the Cenotaph. Wellington—The dawn parade in Wellington was held at the Citizens’ War Memorial, where there was an attendance of about 7000, including the Prime Minister (the Hon. P. Fraser). Representatives of nearly every servicemen’s association in the Empire were present. Dunedin The Governor-General (Lord Galway) attended the dawn parade -at Dunedin, and delivered the Anzac dedication. In the afternoon there was a parade attended by 920 officers and men of the naval and military forces and 1200 returned soldiers.