Anzac Day commemorated

Press, 26 April 1984, Page 2

Anzac Day commemorated

About 750 returned servicemen and women marched in relatively warm autumn weather yesterday morning in the annual Anzac Day dawn parade in Christchurch. The numbers of the crowd swelled to about 2000 for the dawn service of remembrance, held at the war memorial when the parade ended. The Anzac dedication was read by Mr F. E. Uhr, the president of the Australian Imperial Forces Association. The president of the Christchurch R.S.A., Mr G. E. Munro, performed the dedication of the wreaths.

After the parade about 50 or 60 people attended a short communion

service in the Christchurch Cathedral. Later in the morning, about 800 people attended the Citizens’ Anzac Day commemoration service in the Cathedral.

The first lesson was read by Mr M. R. Carter, the a Mayor of Christ- , and the Minister of Defence, Mr D. S. Thompson, read the second lesson. The remembrance was read by Mr Munro, music throughout the service was provided by the band of the Second Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, and Mr Charles Upham, holder of the Victoria Cross and Bar, delivered the address.

Mr Upham said that New Zealand was lucky to have forged ties with Australia, its stalwart and nearest ally.

“If we have any sense whatsoever, that is our destiny.” The blessing was then given by the Bishop of Christchurch, the Right Rev. M. J. Goodall.

Sixty-eight returned servicemen and women took part in a march organised by the Papanui R.S.A. and about 200 people attended a service at the R.S.A. hall in Langdons Road afterwards. Between 200 and 300 returned servicemen and women marched to the R.S.A. clubrooms in Sumner to lay a wreath at the

memorial gates. The Hollywood Theatre was full for the service after the march.

In Greymouth, the dawn parade was the best attended for at least four years, said the parade marshal, Mr R. M. Tinnelly.

More than 100 returned service personnel from the Rangiora district marched in the parade to the Rangiora Town Hall for a service and then to the war memorial for the laying of wreaths.

The biggest crowds in recent years attended the commemoration services in Ashburton. The biggest attendance was for the wreath-laying ceremony at the war memorial in the mid-morning.