WHERE THE FALLEN REST

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 118, 14 November 1929, Page 18

WHERE THE FALLEN REST

BEAUTIFUL MEMORIALS

Six delegates of the British Empire Service League, representing England, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Rhodesia, recently made a tour of inspection, of cemeteries and memorials in France and Belgium. < The largo number of Australasian families who have relatives sleeping in these quiet corners of France will be interested to hear that all delegates expressed unstinted appreciation of the manner in which the graves are being looked after. Tho following passages are taken from the report of the : Commission, which is in the possession of the Defence Department:— "It is necessary to visit the cemeteries to appreciate the magnificent T°j ' the artis. tie conception and the tender care which have been bestowed on each of them." ' •

An outstanding impression is the reeling of pride-^pride in the fact that the whole of our mighty 'Empire's resources have been utilised to leave nothing wanting in the erection of fitting and appropriate surroundings for those who gave all that they had in defence or that same Empire. "The graves are tended with the same devotion as would bo the case if the relatives of our dead comrades were enabled to visit the cemetery day by

It was evident the Commission had been meticulously careful in' regard to the identification of remains, and in some of the cemeteries there are vacant plots where there is still a doubt When all avenues have been explored, and there is not sufficient evidence to' identify, then, and only then, is there plac•«m P°sition tt»o pathetic headstone with the inscription, 'Unknown Soldier but below are engraved 'the three words, 'Known unto God.'"

Anyone who has not seen these cemeteries could not have any idea as ■to the marvellous organisation which enables any individual soldier's grave to be ascertained with the greatest possible ease. The various Dominion memorials, and particularly those to the missing, are very beautiful and impressive." ■ l '