PARADE AND SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 178, 26 April 1938, Page 13

PARADE AND SERVICE

Procession Through City

MAIN ANZAC DAY CEREMONY Marching with bands playing and medals clinking, some 2000 returned soldiers passed through the streets of Wellington yesterday from the Town Hall to the War Memorial for the main Anzac Day service. The roll taken when they fell in showed them only 1000 strong at most, but it was estimated that as many again had joined the march before the procession had entered Lambton Quay. Throughout their progress through the city, the returned men passed between closely-packed crowds. The marchers were led by 50 members of the Australian Imperial Forces, .who were followed by two dozen survivors of the “Old Contemptibles,” more than 100 South African War veterans, then ex-Koyal Naval men, and former members of the Mounted Rifles, Royal Artillery, Engineers, Auckland, Canterbury and Otago regiments, Rifle Brigade, Machine-gun Corps, Medical Corps, Royal Army Service Corps, and Legion of Frontiersmen. With them, spaced at intervals along the column, marched' six bands, the Port Nicholson, Institute, Tramways and Salvation Army, and the Police and Caledonian Pipe Bands. The Police Band created a fine impression by its smart uniforms, plumed Scots bonnets and the stalwart bearing of its members. At the War Memorial the procession found the military forces and cadets and Girl Guides already formed up. The regular forces and territorials had arrived from the direction of the railway station, and had drawn up across Lambton Quay, facing the memorial. They were commanded by Colonel I. T. Standish, C.M.G., D. 5.0., A.D.C. to the King. With him were LieutenantColonel R. A. Row, D. 5.0., and Major F. L. Hunt. Captain L. W. Andrew, V.C., acted as assembly officer. There were about 650 cadets on parade, from Wellington College, Scots College and Rongotai College; cadet bands, with the Artillery Band and the military,, pipes and drums, brought the number of bands up to ten. There were altogether four pipe bands on parade. Scene at the Memorial. Beyond the ropes which kept back the crowds from the actual scene of the service, the streets were packed with onlookers. It was a bigger gathering than has watched any Anzac Day ceremony in recent years. Not only the footpaths, but the green grass slopes leading up to Parliament Buildings were black with people. The low stone wall'and the massive gateposts formed a popular stand. The windows of shops and offices, the balcony and , tower of the south wing of Parliament Buildings, and even the roof of the buildings, the facade and fence of the Government Building opposite, and in fact every conceivable vantage point, were occupied fully. Tho uniformed figures of police constables moved to and fro checking the crowd from pushing forward, while here and there throughout the. moving masses could be distinguished the bright scarlet splashes of Flanders poppies. In the midst of the sea of faces which filled the open space was a small island of emptiness, immediately in front of the memorial. Round Ils edges the flowers of memorial wreaths fluttered in the southerly wind. At one side were the bathchairs of several invalids, and the chairs reserved for those who shared the significance of the occasion without taking part m the parade. Among those grouped at the foot of the steps were conspicuous the khaki and sky-blue urflforms of military and air force officers, and the black frockcoats of the Ministers of the Crown. Official Wreaths Laid. Before the service commenced, the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, advanced up the steps bareheaded, and laid at the foot of the shrine a wreath on behalf of the Government. He was wollowed by the mayor, Mr. T. O. A. Hislop, on behalf of the city corporation. Other official wreaths were from the New Zealand Military Forces (laid by Colonel E. Puttlck, D. 5.0.), the Air Force (Squadron Leader A. Neville), the Australian Government (Mr. C. E. Crltchley, M.8.E.), Sir lan Hamilton

(Mr S. G. Harrison, secretary of the New Zealand R.S.A.), the Wellington Returned Soldiers’ Association (Lieut.Colonel A. Cowles), the New Zealand R.S.A. (Mr. C. Batten and Mr. J. D. Harper), the Australian Imperial Forces (Mr. J. H. Ashton), theex-Royal Naval Men’s Association, the South. African War Veterans’ Association (Col. F. Burton Mavin), the Wellington War Funds Association (Mr. F. Bailey), the Navy League (Mr. L. O. H. Tripp), the Returned Nurses’ Association, the Women’s National Reserve, the St. John Ambulance Brigade and the Legion of Frontiersmen (Trooper M. McAlister). Other wreaths ere laid by the Acting-Consul for Greece, Mr. J. Garland, and the president of the Old Contemptibles’ Association, Mr. S. McDonald. Naval representatives were Capt. A. R. Oliver, D.S.C., R.N., Captain E; G. Morris, R.N. (retired), and Lieut.-Comm. T. Ellis, R.N. Service Of Remembrance. After the laying of the wreaths', the Port Nicholson Silver Band, conducted by Mr. J. J. Drew, played “Onward Christian Soldiers.’’ Then Archdeacon Bullock spoke, emphasising the significance of Anzae Day as a day of remembrance. While the archdeacon was speaking, the crowd stood tense. The only sound was that of the wind and the distant and faint playing of the carillon. The speaker ■ was interrupted, however, and had to stand silent for a moment, when, with roaring engines, the Auckland air liner soared low overhead on its way to Rongotai. After the address and a brief prayer the band struck up the slow, stirring notes of “The Last Post.” Then, from the lofty southern facade of Parliament Building, rang out the “Reveille” sounded by a single bugle, that of Trumpet-Major F. C. Chegwin. Finally, after the Benediction, the playing by the band Of the National Anthem concluded the short, impressive service. The parade marched past and dispersed and the crowds scattered, gathering again in lesser numbers an hour later for the military marching and music of the Retreat, carried out by the military forces under Colonel Standish, with the assistance of. the military bands.