VISIT TO VEVEY

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 126, 24 November 1925, Page 7

VISIT TO VEVEY

BRITISH MILITARY CEMETERY

NEW ZEALAND GRAVES,

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

LONDON, 7th October. The first thing that Sir James Allen did on arrival at Geneva was to motor, with Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Gray, to Vevey, one of the beautiful resorts, on the shores of Lac Leman. The High Commissioner's purpose was to visit the British military cemetery where are the graves of three New Zealand soldiers. This plot is in the churchyard behind the Church of St. Martin, situated on hilly ground at the back of the town. Sir James Allen knows practically all the military cemeteries in the United Kingdom and on the Continent, but he thinks the one at Vevey is the brightest and most beautiful of them all, set as it is in such perfectly peaceful surroundings. Here eighty-two British soldiers lie at rest —men who died in various parts of Switzerland, and whose bodies were subsequently brought together to this one sane-, tuary.

For the British military plot the" site was selected some distance up the hill above the church, and it is reached by devious paths, passing graves everywhere gay with unusual flowers —zinnias of huge dimensions in colours of flame, orange, and magenta; handsome begonias_ equally rich in diversity and colourings; roses growing in profusion. The brilliance of all those beautiful flowers is tempered by shady yews, tall cypresses, weeping ash, and evergreen shrubs.

The military section is carefullytended. The plot is bound on two sides by a thick 'border of ■ clipped evergreens. The approach to the graceful Cross of Sacrifice is by steps leading to a flagged path. Behind the Cross stand as sentinels three cypress trees of intense green and of imposing height, and in the intervening spaces have been planted young' cypress, the whole to form a perfect arc with the Cross in the forefront. On either side of the stono pathway is a wide flower border, ablaze in September with begonias of coral pink shading to deep red, with foliage of autumn crimson. Behind each border is a flat, grass plot, and here, to right, and left, we the orthodox tombstones bearing the names and regimental badges i of those who lie at rest beneath the turf. There is a double row on either side —twen-ty-one gravestones in the back row and twenty in the front. The New Zealanders here interred are: 26/1107 Bifleman J. W. B Watson, N.Z.R.8.; 28816 Private A. Stanaway, Auckland Regiment; 25453 Private E. Bunn, Auckland Regiment.

Detail work on the gravestones varies, but when one sees the differing details one comes to the conclusion that the arrangement selected for the New Zealand headstones is perhaps the moßt effective and the moat appealing. Here the cross carved'is deep ana large, occupying nearly the whole of the upright stone slab; in the centre, stretching across and extending to the arms, is a circle which has the fern leaf at the top and the name "New Zealand" neneath. The name, number, and regiment of the soldier aie carved at the top of the alab. There is dignity in the effective simplicity. In some other instances, with the regimental badge and name at the top, small cross slightly indicated on the central portion, and text or other lettering at the bottom, tlio general effect is apt to look crowded, and cerainly the New Zealand design stands out boldly and is easier of identification than in some other designs. MOUNTAIN AND LAKE. No cemetery surely can be set in more lovely surroundings. There are mountain chains on all sides. Looking out exactly across the Lake there is nothing in range of the eye but the four-pinnacled tower of St. Martin's and giant cypresses in the foreground; the French Alps opposite —including the well known peaks Dents dcs Morcles, the Aiguille Vert, and the Dent dv Jaman; with glimpses of sunlight sparkling on the still turquoise waters of the clear lako. To the left, guarding one boundary of Leman, is tho snow-topped range known as the Dent dv Midi, and close by is the Eochers dv Naye, towering sharply up behind Montreux, Tcrritet, and Caux. There is T.ot a soundjust complete stillness, brilliant sunshine, a perfect view, and no one to disturb one's thoughts. Those who selected the site could have chosen nothing more ide.nl or beautiful. It is ordered by the Imperial War Graves Commission that nothing may )>e planted in any part of this plut. If any floral offerings arc brought they must be laid at the foot of the Cross of Sacrifice. On the Continent one sees so many "immortelles," made of beads on wire, but these ars' not permitted at Vevoy, since they mat sliifl cause damn go and discolouration of the atone. 85, Fleet Street.