ANZAC DAY

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 181, 26 April 1924, Page 5

ANZAC DAY

IMPRESSIVE SERVICES NOTABLE GATHERING AT CENOTAPH SPEECHES BY GOVERNOR AND ADMIRAL FIELD

Favoured by perfect weather and honoured by the presence of a thousand British sailors, the Anzac Day services of 1924 will stand out in the memory as the most impressive and deeply stirring that have ever been held in Wellington. None, who witnessed the scene round the simple white cenotaph in Manners Street yesterday morning are likely to forget it for the rest of their lives. The crowd must have numbered about ten thousand. Everything had been carefully thought out, and under the guidance of Captain Blythe (secretary of the Returned Soldiers’ Association), Mr. A. Duncan (vice-president), Mr. W. L. Foster (who organised' the delegations from the various schools and colleges), and, Lieut.-Commandor Buckley (who was the senior officer in command of the Naval Parade), there was never a hitch, and from first to last the great assemblage was held in silent reverence by the solemnity of the occasion. Every year sees the floral tributes to the honoured dead grow in number and beauty. In front of the cenotaph was a wreath of gilded bay leaves from the Returned! Soldiers’ Association; then there were gorgeous offerings from the Navy League, the Wai Relief Association, and an immense wreath from the Vice-Admiral and officers of the Hood and Repulse. Wellington College, the Girls’ College, Scots’ College, and all the state schools »en ( t jbheir offering)*, whilst there was a mountain of wreaths sent privately in memory of fathers, brothers, husbands, or cousins who gave their lives on the shores of Gallipoli. Among those present were the Prime Minister (Mr. Mhssiey), V-he Hems. Sir Heaton Rhodes. G. J. Anderson, and Sir Francis Bell; the Mayor (Mr. R. A. Wright), and many members of the City Council, Mr. J. P. Firth (chairman of the War Memorial Committee), Major-General Melville, G.0.C.. Colonel E. L. Burgess (chief of staff), and Colonel H. E. Pilkington. The first of the naval contingents to arrive were those from the Chatham and the Australian ship Adelaide, who sent 100 men each. Commodore Beale, R.N., was present as representing the New Zealand unit of the Navy, and the Adelaide’s men came in charge of Lieutenant Proctor. A little later the main body of the naval contingent —4OO from each of the battleships—arrived, the combined bands of the ships playing them through the city streets. On arrival at the cenotaph the sailors were disposed in the form of a huge triangle, at the centre of which were the cenotaph and the rostrum from whence the speeches were delivered. The massed bands of the battleships were placed on one side of tho monument, and the Artillery band, under Lieutenant T. Herd, on tho other. Tho service, which was conducted by the Rev. T. Feilden Taylor, was commenced bv singing the hymn “For All the Saints who from their Labours Rest.” A reading from the Scriptures by the Rev. E. T. Olds followed. Governor-General’s Oration. “Once again on this memorable anniversary,” said His Excellency the Governor-General, “the people of New Zealand think with pride and gratitude of the heroic deeds of those who, during the Great War, went forth to do battle for the safety of the Empire, the protection of the weak, and the upholding of our civilisation. Their thoughts turn specially to the hallowed memory of those who 'sacrificed all so that their fellow countrymen might live in freedom, safety and security.

°lt is very fitting that the people should gather in their thousands throughout the Dominion so that, in the words of the Anzao Day Act, they may do honour to the memory of the fallen, and. commemorate the part taken by New Zealand troops in the Great War. The men who fought will be the first to acknowledge, realise and appreciate the devoted services of those thousands of noble women, to whose tender nursing, sympathetic help they owed so much. Their wonk is honoured to-day equally with that of the men.

'“lt is particularly desirable and appropriate that the children of New Zealand should be taught the significance of the Anzao Day commemorations, so that, they may fully realise the sacrifices that have been made for them by a united Empire, and may bo imbued with the determination to keep that Empire as united, as great, and as strong as their fathers made. it. For in very truth it was the unity of the Empire in 1914 which gave eventual victory to tho Allies. Tne war found Great Britain entirely unprepared for the immense struggle to be fought on land, and nothing but the spirit of tho British race permeating the hearts of all in the Empire, enabled, us, under Providence, to hold, out whilst armies were armed and trained and tho equipment of war produced. The spirit indeed was that of Anzac. “I am sure that I am voicing tho feelings of Wellington, indeed of New Zealand, when I sav how. greatly they appreciate the presence in our midst of Vice-Admiral Sir Frederick Field, with the officers and men of the British Squadron and of the Royal Australian Navy.. The former represented th© navy which worked and fought with the men of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force on Gallipoli, and in that close comradeship were. imbued with great admiration for their qualities ; and the latter stand for the other and larger part of that Anzac force, which, with the 29th Division, achieved the impossible nine years ago. “New Zealand’s men commenced on that dav to build up a glorious record in the Great War. a record on which such names as Gallipoli. Palestine, the Somme, Messines, Passchendali-. Beaumont-Hammel, Bapaume, and Les Quesnoy, stand out in bold relief for ever in history. . A record., too. not onlv for a magnificent fighting spirit, but for discipline and chivalry, qualities which brought to them equal At th© conclusion of the GovernorGeneral’s speech, Alajor Bladin, of the Salvation Army, offered up prayer. Vice-Admiral's Address. Vice-Admiral Sir Frederick Field “We, officers and men of the special service squadron, esteem it a high privilege that we have been invited to take part in to-day’s ceremony to celebrate tho landing in Gallipoli nine yeara ago of the Australian and Now Zealand Army Corps which has rendered immortal the name of Anzac In that great enterprise the Royal Navy was associated with tin Anzac Corps, and we count it a ureat honour that that association should be renewed to-day. That wonderful feat of arms and the karoic services of all who took part in it will never be forgotten so long H 3 tbe Empire enYares. They

gave their all, and it is our duty to see that their sacrifice was not made in vain. The fame of this exploit will remain for all time a shining example of what human courage and endurance can accomplish. “A memorial to those brave men who there gave their lives for the Empire is being raised in Gallipoli, soil that will be for ever sacred to all British Pearts, but the best and worthiest memorial we can offer them is to seek inspiration from their noble deeds, to endeavour to learn the lessons they teach us of fortitude, patience, and devotion, and to consecrate ourselves afresh to those great objects for which they gave their lives. “Therefore, I would beg you to regard this day, not as one of mourning, but rather of thanksgiving that we are of the same flesh and blood as the heroes we now honour, and also as a day of earnest resolve to emulate their great example. Let us accordingly endeavour to live more worthily of those who made the supreme sacrifice for us, and to do the utmost that lies within us to maintain and hand down to the children who come after us those traditions of loyalty, courage, and devotion to duty, on which the welfare of the Empire depends.” After the Vice-Admiral’s address the Artillery Band played "The Garland of Flovyers,” as one by one the school delegations came forward to place theil wreaths at the foot of the Cenotaph. That done, tho massed ships’ bands played the Dead March in “Saul” most impressively As the strains of the solemn march died away the note of a single burie rang out. It was “The Last Post.” All heads were bared, and other than the vibrant strain nothing could be heard save the muffled sobbing of women whose emotions had been overcome by the moving solemnity of the occasion. The National Anthem wae tbeta played by the Artillery Band, at the close of which the Rev. T. E. Taylor pronounced the Benediction. “WE WILL REMEMBER THEM” IMPRESSIVE SERVICE AT TOWN HALL Equally solemn was the memorial _ service held in the Town Hall in the afternoon, when many hundreds of ticket-holders were unable to gain admission. The service was opened with “The Garland of Flowers” (Boyer) played by the Salvation 'Army Band, after which the congregation joined in singing “For All the Saints.” Chaplain Lloyd, of H.M.S. Hood, led in prayer- His Excellency the Governor-General. Viscount Jeliicoe, read a portion of Scripture. A beautiful rendering of Elgar’s impressive “For the Fallen” was given by the Royal Wellington Choral Union and Wellington Harmonic Society. Mrs. J. F. Woodward was the soloist. Mr. Bernard F. Page presided at the organ, and Mr. H. Temple White conducted. There was a ring of solemnity about the lines: “They shall crow not old. As we are left grow old>: Age shall not weary them. Ifor the years condemn. At tlhe soine down of the sun in the morning. We will remember them, we will remember them.” Mendelssohn’s “O Rest in the Lord” was delightfully rendered by Mrs. Wilfred Andrews, and the congiregation joined in singing “Lead, Kindly Light!” The Rev. T. Fielden Taylor, addressing the assemblage, said it was meet that we should remember what we owed to those through whose pain, suffering and death we were still able to enjoy the blessing of an undivided Empire. We had inherited the Empire at a great price. History reminded us of great soldiers, sailors, statesmen, foreign and colonial servants who spent their best years in the interests of Empire. bnr soldiers had sacrificed their lives, health, sight, limbs and reason for our safety. As we remembered the dead we should not forget their still living comrades in arms; the mentally infirm, the T-B. men, the blind, who, through the years since the war. had patiently and ungrudgingly borne their infirmities. We gained our freedom at the cost of their infirmities and with that realisation we should be prepared to sacrifice as much for the Empire as those brave men- ,r We need to possess their spirit,” said Air. Taylor, “the spirit which gives up life. itself for country and liberty, the spirit which was above the strife of class or creed; the spirit which makes its contribution to society regardless of reward or even the consequences. Abler all, it is not the act of courage that we honour, but the spirit tliat produces it. The highest qualities are essentially pf the realm of spirit. . . If we realise the debt we owe, we should do all we can to cultivate the spirit which produces noble actions and so makes noble Eves; so how can the Empire be preserved in its integrity and right? . By handing on to another generation a record unblemished and made more noble still by the beauty of our spirit.” The Salvation Army band played the “Dead March” in “Saul,” Bugler R. Aldrich sounded “The Last Post,” and the service closed with the Benediction and the National Anthem. AT THE OPERA HOUSE An impressive service, held at the Opera House, which was filled, commenced with “The Garland of Flowers,” played with full expression by the Wellington Battalion Band. The Rev. C. Eaton led in prayer, and a Scripture reading was given by StaffCaptain T. Bladin. Handel’s “1 Know That My Redeemer Live th” was sung with rich feeling by Airs. R. J. Wildish. An address was given by the chaplain of H.AI.S. Repulse, who stressed the need for remembering, at all memorial services, the great cause for which the brave fell. The principles for which they strove, he said, should bo held sacred by those who came after, who should make some attempt to carry out their ideals. At the close of the address, the Rev. R. Catherwood led in prayer. The impressiveness of tho service gained by the whole-hearted nature of the singing of the hymns “O God, Our Help” and “Lead, Kindly Light,” be ing rendered with fervour by the large congregation. A beautiful floral tribute was “In Memory.” by the Har monic Quartet. The “Dead March” in “Saul,” by the Wellington Battalion Band was followed by “Tho Last Post.” Tho Benediction was pronounced bv the chaplain of the Repulse, and the National Anthem closed a memorable service. OTHER SERVICES There were about 500 persons present at the memorial service held at the Basin Reserve yesterday afternoon by tho New Zealand Artillery, Colonel Falla, 0.M.G., D. 5.0., commanding the Artillery Brigade, had charge of the parade,'which consisted of 400 members of the N.Z.A., sth, 15th, and 19th Batteries, under Major Lyon, Captain Abel, and Major Horton respectively, Captains W. G. Steevens and F. Farr being also present. With the Artillery Band, under Lieut. T. Herd, at the head, the artillery marched from the Buckle Street barracks down Cuba Street, halting at the Cenotaph to allow Colonel Falla to lay a wreath at its foot inscribed “To our fallen comrades, from tho sth, 15th, and 19th batteries, N.Z.A.” Each battery saluted while passing the Cenotaph. The march was continued along Kent Terrace to the Basin Reserve, where

a square was formed and a service-.waX held, Chaplain-Captain Watson officiating. The hymps, “Lead, Kmd.y Light.” and “6 God, Our Help in Age*. Past” wero played by the band, xn® Last Post” was played by the bpgl® r » and the ceremony concluded with tn« National Anthem. A memorial service held in StMark’s Church yesterday, was .attended by some 800 pupils of the Wellington Boys’ College, The Iter. H E K. Fry, vicar cf St. Marks, officiated, with him being the Rev. T. Fielden Taylor, and the Rev.J, Baird, of the Kent Terraco Presbyterian Church. Air. R- Cresswell, headmaster of the College, read, bn®, lesson, taken from the 11th. and 12th chapters of St Paul’s epistle to the Hebrews. The Rev. T. Fielden Taylor, addressed the congregation, fl nd urged the boys to realise that their first duty was to fit themselves to make some decent contribution to tho world. It was no? for them to worry as to the nature or the extent of their contribution. Some of them must just be content to go on missing their desires and go Vest. They must be content to play the game of life. ’The greatest honour tliev could pay the honoured dead was to live the biggest, fullest life they could. If they did that. then. when death came they, like the men of Anzao, might meet it without flinching. The service concluded with the sounding of “the Last Post,” and the singing of the National Anthem.' Yesterday afternoon Colonel J- G. Hughes gave an address to the boys of the Star of the Sea Preparatory College, Seatoun. . He -told them how they could cultivate the qualities which upheld tho soldiers during the years of warfare. In the morning a special mass was celebrated for the souls of the. soldiers who had given up their lives for their countiy. At St. Mary of the Angels’ Church, Boulcott Street, yesterday morning. Solemn Requiem Alass was celebrated for those who had given up their lives for King and country in th© Gallipoli campaign. The celebrant was the Rev. Father McGrath, and the Alass (plain Gregorian chant), was sung by a choir of priests led by the Rev. Father Ryan. At the conclusion of the service the Dead March in “Saul” was played by the organist (Mr. W. McLoughlin). There was a crowded attendance st the Anzac Memorial Servica held at the Peton© Recreation Ground yesterday afternoon. Amongst those present were the Mayor (Air. J. V.. McEwan), and Mr. T. Al. Wilford, AI.P., who delivered an address on tho spirit of Anzao. Massed bands led tne singing, and “The Last Post was sounded by buglers at the conclusion of the service. . The Anzac memorial service at Wellesley College was conducted by the Ven. Archdeacon Johnson, AI.A., ana Colonel Powlos, 0.A1.G., D.S.O. Archdeacon Johnson briefly outlined the significance of the commemoration, and illustrated his remarks by the story of tho exploit of the River Clyde at the landing on Gallipoli.. Colonel .Powlos emphasised the spirit of service to others, and urged the boys to maintain their school friendships. AT THE SCHOOLS Afemorial services were conducted during ■ the morning at State schools throughout the district. At twelve of the schools addresses were given by officers of the fleet, who in each instance read the message which Admiral Field delivered at the Cenotaph ceremony m tho city. These services were arranged by the Navy League in conjunction with the Returned Soldiers’ Association and the Education Board as follow t —Kelburn, Lieut.-Commander Boyd; Karori, Engineer-Commander Stan; Northland, Paymaster-Commander Boucher; Seatoun, Surgeon-Commander Breton; Terrace, Commander Sandford; Island Bay, Commander Gooldin; Berhampore, Paymaster-Captain Swan;, To Aro, Engineer-Captain Goodwin; Alirimar South, Engineer-Captain Rundle; Newtown, Surgeon-Commander Dudding: Mount Cook, Commander Vivian,; Lyall Bay, Alajor of Marines Hickson. Afemorial services were held at most of the city schools yesterday. The Governor-General attended the service at the Teachers’ Training College, and read tbe King’s message to the peo - pie of New Zealand. Eleven officers from the Special Service Squadron .attended different schools, and read the address delivered by Vice-Admiral Sir Frederick iiold, at the Cenotaph. MESSAGE FROM H.M. THE KING TO THE PEOPLE OF NEW ZEALAND The Governor-General has been com. manded to communicate to the people of New Zealand on the occasion of Anzac Day, the following message from Uh Afajesty the King:— The thoughts cf the Queen , and myself, i/ie with my peo- • pie of New Zealand on this solemn day, when they commorate the glorious achievements of their beloved dead.’ MESSAGE FROM ANZAC COVE The following cablegram dated April 23,' has been received by the Prime Minister from, the Imperial Var Graves Commission, Dardanelles:— “Commemoration Service being held at Anzac Cove April 25, representatives N.Z.E.F. attending, wreaths being laid.” Air. Alassev has replied as follow: “New Zealand on this anniriersa.Ty mourns her glorious dead, but her sorrow is mingled with pride at their deeds of valour and the cause for which they gave their lives.” GENERAL GODLEY’S GREETINGS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Hastings, April 24-j, Th© following cablegram was re-f coined in Hastings for General Sir Andrew Russell, who is now en route to England;—“To General Russell, Anzac. —Greetings to you and the the New Zealand Division. Signed. General Godloy, Rhine.” OBSERVANCE IN AUSTRALIA (Rec. April 26. 0.40 a.m.) Sydney, April 25. Anzac Day was observed as a public holiday throughout the Commonwealth, and generally was spent quietly and reverently. Special commemorative services in the Town Halls ana various churches were largely attended in tho capitals. Detachments of different defence forces marched to tho official services. Flowers were lavishly placed on monuments and honours rolls and on soldiers’ graves. Business, excepting in Melbourne, where many shops remained open, was practically suspended. In Melbourne and Hobart the weather was cold and wet. Elsewhere it was fine. —Press Assn. Anzac Day was celebrated generally throughout the Dominion- Press Association messages record, its observance in various towns with customary memorial services and military parades. The Dunedin programme also included the laying of the foundation stone of the local war memorial, the oeremonv being performed by the Mayor before a large attendance.