ARMISTICE DAY

Evening Star, Issue 23421, 11 November 1939, Page 10

ARMISTICE DAY

SIMPLE CEREMONY AT THE CENOTAPH WREATHS LAID IN COMMEMORATION Twenty-one years ago to-day, at 11 a.m., the big gnus ceased to roar in Europe, after more than four years of fierce activity. Eever since, that hour has been commemorated throughout the Empire by the holding of two minutes’ silence and brief parades. To-day the parade was held, as it has been since the Cenotaph was unveiled, in the Queen’s Gardens, and was attended by exservicemen and members of the general public paying homage to those who died in the great struggle.

Returned men, including representatives of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces, the Australian, Canadian, and Imperial Forces, the Royal Navy, and Air Force lined the approach to the memorial, while before it stood the president of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association (Mr J. M. White), members of the association, and the president of the Imperial Ex-service-men’s Association (Mr John M'Knight). There were also the town clerk (Mr R. A. Johnston), city councillors, representatives of public bodies, and others. A few minutes before the hour of 11 a detachment of the Drum, Trumpet, and Bugle Band, under Sergeant-major AV. J. C. Gwyune, sounded the ‘ Last Post,’ then Mr White and Mr M‘Knight stepped forward to lay the laurel and poppy wreath of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, “In remembrance of fallen comrades,” on the Cenotaph. The hour of 11 o’clock struck, and the two minutes’ silence fell; even the westerly breeze stilled its motion for those two minutes, while further beyond the peace of the gardens stillness descended upon the city streets as all paid their two minutes’ homage. It was an impressive moment, made, perhaps, even more impressive by the thought that could not , be, expelled from the mind that to-day, 21 years after the armistice which was so being commemorated, the nations woro again at war. With the passing of the silence, the Rev. A. B. Pywell , offered a brief prayer, at the conclusion of which the band sounded the ‘ Reveille.’ The Benediction was pronounced by the Rev. Mr Pywell, and this was followed by the singing of the National Anthem, after which the parade dispersed. Many lingered, however,, to inspect the wreaths and two others which were subsequently laid—one from the South African Veterans’ Association and the other a small bunch of lily of the vallev bearing the inscription: “In memoriam. Our three beloved sons and every other mothers’ sons, in love, pride, and never-ceasing gratitude.” OBSERVATION AT AUCKLAND [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND. November 11. Auckland reverently observed the two minutes* silence for Armistice Day, industry and traffic stopping on the stroke of 11 in response to' the thunder of the first signal gun. '■ In the,pity streets the ..traffic, officers threw white 7 clad hands ' above their heads .and< the officials .: stood’ at the salute. Thousands of, citizens with bowed heads paid tribute to the fallen. •There arose the. haunting strains of the ‘ Last Post ’; then the second gun, and the city awakened once more, dissolving into hurrying crowds; In the front of the Cenotaph on the domain hillcrest a silent crowd paid tribute to the lives surrendered to the Empire, wreaths being laid at the base of the Cenotaph, by the three defence services, local bodies, and school children. Captain Judson, V.C., was jn charge of the brief ceremony.