THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27150, 21 September 1953, Page 3

THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN

COMMEMORATION IN CHRISTCHURCH CATHEDRAL SERVICES “But if not’’ (Daniel 3, iii), was the simple text chosen by the chaplain at the Royal New Zealand Air Force station, Wigram (Flight Lieutenant K. Schollar) for his sermon in the Christchurch Cathedral yesterday morning, when a special service was held to commemorate Battle of Britain Day. The quotation is taken from the reply of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to King Nebuchadnezzar when the tyrant ordered them to fall down and worship his image, warning them that if they did not they would be cast into a “burning fiery furnace.’’ “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O King,” replied the three Jews. “But if not, be it know unto thee, O King, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.’’ Like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, said Flight Lieutenant Schollar, the Battle of Britain pilots, hopelessly in the minority, dared the oppressor to do his worst. Supported by their faith, they survived the “burning fiery furnace.” Among the congregation were men and women serving at the Royal New Zealand Air Force stations at Wigram and Weedons. The service was preceded by a parade from Victoria square to the War Memorial, where wreaths were laid by representatives of the Christchurch City Council, the Christchurch Returned Services’ Association, the Christchurch branch, and the women’s branch of the Air Force Association, the Christchurch branch of the Homeservicemen’s Association, the commanding officer and all other ranks at Wigram, the Government Southern Military District, the Ex-Royal Naval Men’s Association, the Australian Returned Soldiers’ League, and the Brevet Club.

A special Mass was celebrated at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament yesterday monring, when the celebrant was Father L. McDonnell. Father G. Kane was deacon and Father J. McHale the sub-deacon. Air Force officers and other ranks also attended this service. CEREMONIES IN WELLINGTON WREATHS LAID ON WAR MEMORIAL (New Zealand. Press Association) WELLINGTON, September 20. The annual pilgrimage to the Wellington Citizens’ War Memorial in memory of New Zealand airmen who were killed in the Battle of Britain was held this afternoon. After the wreath-laying ceremony, a special service was held at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul. There was not a big attendance of the public at the war memorial, but three Air Force squadrons, accom-

panied by the Territorial Air Force Band, made an impressive display. Members of the Brevet Club and the Air Force- Association also paraded. Wreaths were placed on the memorial by the Minister of Health (Mr J. R. Marshall), the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nash), and the Mayor of Wellington (Mr R. L. Macalister), the president of the New Zealand Returned Services’ Association (Sir Howard Kippenberger), the president of the Air Force Associatin (Mr H. A. C. Davy), and members of the diplomatic corps. When the Chief of the Air Staff (Air Vice-Marshal D. V. Carnegie) placed a wreath on the memorial, he was accompanied by the Chief of the Naval Staff (Commodore Sir Charles Madden) and the Adjutant-General (Brigadier J. R. Page).