SOLDIERS’ GRAVES

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25275, 29 August 1947, Page 8

SOLDIERS’ GRAVES

USE OF METAL FOR HEADSTONES MONUMENTAL MASONS DISAPPROVE “That the New Zealand Association of Master Monumental Masons disapproves of the use of metal plaques in place of the accepted granite headstones in soldiers’ cemeteries” was a resolution passed at a meeting of the New Zealand Master Monumental Masons’ Association held in Palmerston North recently. Mr W. Trethewey, president of the local branch of the association, told a representative of “The Press’ yesterday that throughout the British Empire a standard type of headstone had been used for the First World War and the same design was being used by the British War Graves Com- j mission for World War IL for the cemeteries under its jurisdiction. This simple design, with its plain Latin , cross, was accepted as the standard memorial to all Empire men and i women. Mr Trethewey quoted the following extract from a letter received by the New Zealand secretary from thfe National Association of Master Menumental Masons (England):— “I can immediately advise you that in no respect whatsoever is the War Graves Commission in this country using bronze for this purpose. On the contrary, the commission is adamant that stone only shall be used." Mr Trethewey said that in Dunedin the decision to adopt the metal plaque was carried by the Dunedin but after representations had been made by soldiers’ relatives the RJS.A. decided to revert to the standard type of headstone. The secretary of the Dunedin R.S.A had reported that most soldiers’ relatives were in favour of maintaining the present type of headstone, Oamaru, Balclutha and Invercargill had all expressed approval of the retention of the standard type memorial. It is understood that the Christchurch R.S.A. has adopted'the metal plaque design for the soldiers’ seetion being set aside at the Ruru Lawn Cemetery.