19th BATTALION MEMORIAL

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27054, 1 June 1953, Page 10

19th BATTALION MEMORIAL

TREES DEDICATED IN VICTORIA PARK

The memorial trees planted at Victoria Park by South Island members of the' 19th Battalion and Armoured Regiment in memory of those of the unit who fell in the last war were dedicated during a service conducted by the Rev. J. S. Somerville, M.C., of Wellington, a chaplain with the unit, yesterday afternoon, and a stone plaque was unveiled. The memorial is set in a square of four plats of trees. Wreaths were laid by the Mayor (Mr R. M. Macfarlane. M.P.) on behalf of the citizens of Christchurch, by Mr G. D. Hattaway for the Returned Services' Association, and by Mr L M. Inglis and Mr A. M. Everest for the men of the New Zealand Division. Brigadier J. T. Burrows, commander of the Southern Military District, and staff officers who served with the battalion, represented the New Zealand Regular Force and K Force men and next-of-kin from all parts of New Zealand attended in good numbers. It is estimated that more than 400 attended the ceremony. The annual meeting and reunion of the battalion were held on Saturday night and delegates attended a service in St. Andrew’s Church, conducted by Mr Somerville, yesterday morning.