DAWN PARADE

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 179, 26 April 1941, Page 13

DAWN PARADE

Largest Gathering Held So Far MEN OF THREE WARS The dawn parade at -the Citizens’ War Memorial drew the largest attendance yet. A like muster of returned soldiers at this particular commemoration has not previously been witnessed in Wellington. Further, there was at record public gathering. Returned men came from all parts of the Wellington district, from as far as Kaitoke and Paekakariki. Much as when they were comrades in arms in 1914-18, expectant and awaiting the signal for an attack at dawn, they mustered 45 minutes before the rising sun first broke through the dark clouds of the early morning. It was a unique occasion, in that there were among them a few of the new generation of returned soldiers; men recently returned from England and the Middle East. In all, three groups! of men who had answered their country’s call were represented; South African and Great War veterans ana those who went overseas for the conflict which has yet to be given a name. From the conversation of the men it was obvious that their thoughts at dawn were with the generation ot Anzacs now gaining new battle-honours for their countries.

The assembly began at 5 a.m., but many had been on the road to it at least an hour before. The march to the memorial for the ceremony of remembrance began at 5.15 a.m. At 5.45 a.m. the firing of a gun heralded the dawn. Then came the roll of drums by drummers from Fort Dorset, followed by the hymn, “O God Our Help in Ages Past.” Prayers were offered by the Bishop of Wellington, the Rt. Rev. H. St. Barbe Holland, after which came the hymn, “Lead Kindly Light.”

This Anzac dedication was then spoken by Major James Shelley: “At this hour, upon this day, Anzac received its baptism of fire, and became one of the immortal names in history. We who are gathered here, think of the comrades who went out with us to the battlefields of the Great War—but did not return. We feel them still near us in spirit. We wish to be worthy of their great sacrifice. Let us therefore once more dedicate ourselves to the service of the ideals for which they died. As the dawn is even now about to pierce the night, so let their memory inspire us to work for the coming of the new light into the dark places of the world. In these tragic days we think of those who at this moment are bearing so valiantly the torch of duty and sacrifice fired by the spirit of those whom we here remember.”

Colonel R. B. Ashe, on behalf of the A.I.F. Association, and ; Colonel A. Cowles, for the Wellington R.S.A., laid wreaths on the memorial base. Thousands of voices were then uplifted in the first verse of “For the Fallen,” by Laurence Binyon, beginning “They Shall Not Grow Ol'd.” and concluding "And in the morning we will remember them.”

Bishop Holland offered further prayers, and the hymn, “Eternal Father, Strong to Save,” followed. Mb. C. W. Batten, of the Dominion executive of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, read this message to the fighting forces

* “And now, to the men of the fighting forces, today we send our .message of faith in the future an'd confidence in those who hold the future in their hands. On your strength and on your courage the future must be built, and we are content it should be so. What men can do, you will do, and come what may, New Zealand’s sons will be worthy members of the British family. “This is the 27th Anzac Day, and once again those who sent their sons, their husbands or their brothers—and who were their comrades —are gathered here to do honour to the men of the past. Through the years we have paid our humble tribute to those great men we knew. We have renewed each year our pledge that their memory and the ideals for which they fought will not be forgot ten, “Today we know they did not die in vain—for you have kept faith and strong young hands take up the task. ,In you they live again, and through you and generations yet unborn, their spirit is immortal.

“Anzac fights again. The way is hard —the night may be long—bu't so surely as the sun now rises in the east, so surely will dawn the day of victory. And in the years to come, you and yours will join with us here, and we will build together a nation with the spirit of Anzac.” Bishop Holland pronounced the Benediction and the assembly sang “Abide With Me.” roll of drums followed with the sounding of reveille by trumpeters of the Boys’ Institute Band. This sounding was a symbol of the belief of those assembled that the landing at Anzac heralded the dawn of a brilliant era in the march to nationhood of Australia and New Zealand.

All joined in singing the National Anthem and the ceremony closed. The returned soldiers marched past the War Memorial to the Railway Station where refreshments were served.

Members of the Cabinet, representatives of the Navy, Army and Air Force, consular corps, and other official visitors were represented at the ceremony. There were Great War nurses iu the parade of returned soldiers.