LONDON OBSERVANCES.

Evening Star, Issue 18925, 27 April 1925, Page 9

LONDON OBSERVANCES.

AT THE CENOTAPH. GENERAL BIBDWOOD’S MESSAGE. Press Association--By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, April 25. There was a remarkable stillness at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, where the High Commissioners had to struggle through a vast crowd in order to place wreaths on the occasion of Anzac Day, General Sir William Birdwood presided at a dinner attended by forty Anzacs at the Hotel Victoria to commemorate Anzac Day. The toast “ Absent Comrades ” was honored in silence. The chairman read a telegram from Sir lan Hamilton conveying affectionate greetings, also greetings from the Anzacs in the Indian army.

Sir William Birdwood said he would j be delighted to convoy greetings to the | *29th Division at the latter’s dinner tomorrow, It was that division which first showed the Anzacs what the British soldier really was. He was surprised that one Australian State tabooed Anzac observance because it maintained a spirit of militarism. “ I will send Anzac greetings to that State the same as to the rest of Australia, but I would point out that nobody need fear that the observance is fostering the spirit of militarism. Rather, they should feel grateful that their comrades proved themselves the men (hoy did. It is in that spirit we wish to see Anzac Day observed. It is the biggest day in Australia’s history. Australia reraem- | bored the anniversary of Cook’s landing, but Anzac Day signified Australia’s stepping into nationhood.” Other speakers pointed out the paradox that Sir William Birdwood was a FieldMarshal in tiie British Army List, but only a general in the Australian list. Sir William Birdwood, in a message to New Zealand, sends “ heartiest greetings to the Government and people. I know today that the memory of fallen comrades is very vividly with us. They will never be forgotten by ns, who, by God’s grace returned to onr home lands. My sympathies and sincere thoughts go out to the | people of New Zealand in their anxiety concerning the health of their great Prime Minister.” General Sir Alexander Godley requested Sir James Allen to transmit Anzac greetings to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, and also concern at Mr Massey’s illness.—A. and N.Z. Cable. LONDON, April 26. The Anzac Day service at St. Clement Danes, in the Strand, was attended by a large number of ex-members of the Australian and New Zealand Forces. Sir Joseph Cook and Sir James Allen were present. The ex-soldiers paraded in front of the war shrine, where wreaths wore, laid on behalf of Australia and New Zealand.—A, and N.Z. Cable. IMPRESSIVE SCENES, LONDON, April 25. (Received April 27, at 1.5 a.m.) Thousands of men and women from Yorkshire and Wales, who had arrived in London to attend the Cup Final, wearing football colors, ranged on both sides _ of j the road. All were reverent and quiet. | contrasting with the previous hilarity and , excitement. While journeying through the j streets in char-a-bancs and on foot they ! doffed weirdly-colored hats, but the sudden silence, the cease fire, of rattles, and the hushing of the clamorous voices were more impressive than any organised demonstration of respect. Tho crowd waited all the morning with bunches of flowers, including scores of buttonholes plucked impulsively from tho coal lapels of the wearers, and laying thorn at the foot of tho Cenotaph. At the service in &t. Clement Danes, during the singing of “Jesu, lover of my soul,” ox-servicemen placed wreaths on tho war shrine, niter which tho Anzac hymn, ‘ Father, King Immortal,’ was sung, followed by a solo, ‘Abide Vv i‘h Me, and the ‘Last Post.’ Tho ceremony concluded with the playing of Chonin's Funeral March by tho organist.—Renter. AT WA LTON-ON-TJTA MF,S. LONDON, April 26. - (Received April 27, at 1 a.m.) There was a procession through tho Anzac graves at Walton-on-Thamcs. Sir James Allen, who was accompanied by Generals Sir Andrew Russell and Sir ; Edward Cbaytor, thanked tho people of : Walton-on-Thames for their care of the | graves and the kindness shown to New : Zealand boys in England, which was re- ! inembcred with great thankfulness by tho j mothers and people of New Zealand.—A. and N.Z. Cable. CEREMONY AT SHANGHAI. PEKING, April 25. (Received April 27, at 1 a.m.) In tho presence of forty Australians this morning Surgeon-Captain W. E. O’Hara and Captain A. W. Conk, who were on Gallipoli, laid an Anzac wreath on tho war memorial monument in tho Bund, at Shanghai. The scene was as picturesque as a mixed river traffic, and a queer medley of rushing vehicles passing closely alongside, slowed down while the little band paid homage to the dead.—A. and N.Z. Cable,

OBSERVANCE IN AUSTRALIA. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright i Australian and N.Z. Press Association. SYDNEY, April 26. Anzac Day was celebrated throughout the Commonwealth as a day of solemn remembrance. Sports meetings in all States were postponed. The weather in Sydney was fine but dull, and the city was very quiet, it being more like a Sunday than a public holiday. All* races and most of the sports meetings were postponed to enable the day to bo observed with dno solemnity. All public buildings displayed flags at half-mast. Special services were held in all the suburbs, and the day was marked in the : city by a procession of the remnants of the regiments which participated in the Great War through the streets to the Town Hall, where a memorial service was field.