TRIBUTE TO THE FULLER

Evening Star, Issue 19711, 11 November 1927, Page 5

TRIBUTE TO THE FULLER

DAY OF REMEMBRANCE

ARMISTICE OBSERVANCE When, on November 11, 1918, Marshal Foch ordered the Allied troops to cease advancing, and when the echo of the last shot in the various sectors died away, a silence almost stunning in its significance descended upon the troops who at that' period were in the lino. Written all over their faces was the question: “Is it really true that peace has come?” So deep was their emotion and so weary were their whole beings that for the most part hardly a cheer was raised. It is safe to say that two simple words wore uppermost in their minds. They wore “Thank God.” Almost at the same time came memories of those of their comrades who as a result of the conflagration had crossed the Great Divide. On receipt of the news London for a few wild hours gave itself over to expressions of unrestrained joy. Soldiers and also civilians of both sexes sang and danced in the streets, in the public places, in the restaurants. And in practically every town of the Allied nations the news was received with expressions of relief, which knew no bounds. Subsequently, however (and it is fitting that it should be so), all ceremonies on Armistice Day have annually been of a devotional nature rather than that of jubilation. In Great Britain Armistice Day is one which is observed in a more striking manner than in Australia and New Zealand, for hero wo have Anzac Day, a day which by means of its strict recognition is definitely accepted as an acknowledgment of the debt wo owe to fallen soldiers, and of the partnership which exists among the many countries of the Empire. In London the King and many hundreds of others with lav wreaths at the Cenotaph, and nil through Great Britain remembrance services and festivals will be held. In order to bo represented at the Cenotaph, the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association has forwarded a large wreath, comprising the best New Zealand flora obtainable. Some time ago the flowers were fiozen, packed in ice, and sent on to their destination. OBSERVANCE IN DUNEDIN As is the ease all through New Zealand, observance of Armistice Day in Dunedin is not of a prolonged nature, but what it lacks in this respect it seems to make up for by reason of the impressive ceremony which takes place impressive ceremony which takes place each year at the Town Hall and St. Paul’s Cathedral. There could bo no surer proof of the sincerity of Dunedin s tribute to the dead than the fact that, on such a bitterly cold morning as this, quite a large crovyd assembled in the Octagon to be present at the official ceremony. It is the first time that a really disagreeable day has attended the function, but in spite of the adverse conditions the demands*of the period were met with steadfast fe Shortly before 11 a.m. 30 buglers and drummers, led by Sergeant-major Napier, marched from the neighborhood of the Stock Exchange along Princes street to the Cathedral, and ascended the steps preparatory to playing the ‘Last lost and the ‘ Reveille.’ On any other occasion their playing would have earned rounds of applause. A few minutes before ii o’clock the Town Hall hell began tolling gently, and all motion on the part of street vehicles and pedestrians came to a stop. Men iolks bared their heads. At the expiration of that period of significant silence the bell rang bnskly and the bugle band played the Last Post,’ followed by the ‘Reveille. Among those on the steps with the buglers were His Worship the Mayor Mr W. B. Taverner), Mr G. A. Low in (town clerk), the Rev. Bryan King, and the president of the Dunedin Betnrned Soldiers’ Association (Mr A. C. Laing), the secretary (Mr J. M. White), and members of the Executive Committee. Throughout the city flags wore flowni at the mast-hood until 10.30 a.m., at which time they w r cro lowered to half-mast until noon. From then on thev flew again from the truck. this evening, at 7.30, a special service will be conducted in St. Paul s Cathedral hv the Rev. Canon Button, when there will be special music by the First Battalion Band, the Cathedral Choir, and Sergeant-major Napier. The mayor, councillors, officers, and noncommissioned officers of the Dunedin military district, the Returned Soldiers Executive and members, trained nurses, the St. John Ambulance division, 100 Girl Guides, 100 Boy Scouts, and other representatives of local bodies will be present officially. A collection is to bo taken up for the purpose of raising funds to supply memorial stones for the graves of soldiers for whom the Government does not supply stones in the _ cemeteries about Dunedin. This evening’s service will be’ broadcasted between 7.30 and 8.15.