ANZAC DAY

Franklin Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 48, 29 April 1942, Page 2

ANZAC DAY

OBSERVANCE IN PUKEKOHE AN IMPRESSIVE SERVICE CEREMONY AT MEMORIAL GATES Pukekohe commemorated the 27th anniversary of the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps at Gallipoli with a combined service in the Strand Theatre on Saturday afternoon. Prior to the service a procession, commanded by Captain W. W. Jlorwell, M.M., E.D., led by a military band, marched from Edinburgh Street to the theatre. Those taking part were: Tiie military band, returned soldiers, a military detachment, Technical High School cadets, Municipal Band, Home Guard, Pukekohe Fire Brigade, Auxiliary Fire Brigade, and the military section of the Women’s War Service Auxiliary. Service in the Theatre The indoor proceedings began with the singing of the National Anthem followed by a reading of the 52nd chapter of Isaiah -by the Rev. W. G. Slade, M.A. (Methodist), prayer by Captain I. Simpson (Salvation Army), address by the chairman, the Mayor of Pukekohe, Mr M. R. Grierson, the singing of the hymn. “0 God Our Help in Ages Past,” an address by Mr W. E. Cook, of Glevedon, representing the Franklin Returned Soldiers’ Association, the singing of the hymn, ‘‘Lord of All Being, Throned Afar,” address by Pastor C. Barton (Baptist), the singing of the hymn, ‘‘Abide With Me,’ concluding with the pronouncement of the Benediction by the Rev. F. E. H. Paton (Presbyterian). A retiring collection in aid of the Returned Soldiers’ distress fund was taken up. The parade re-formed in Massey Avenue and marched to the memorial gates at the corner of East Street and Franklin road where it was drawn up in military style for the ceremonial laying of wreaths, while the bands played “Garland of Flowers.” The sounding of the “Last Post” and “Reveille” by a section of trumpeters, concluded a ceremony, which for its impressiveness and simplicity, will always remain most vividly in the memory of those hundreds who attended. It was one of the most touching services in the last 25 years —as touching perhaps as those held in the first year or so after the signing of the Armistice. “Their Sacrifices Were Not in Vain” “This day 27 years ago,” said the Mayor, in addressing those who were able to obtain a seat in the. theatre,

“a great many of New Zealand’s young manhood were put to what proved an insuperable task. But. that day they succeeded in something greater—in inscribing indelibly in the hearts of men a great memory and sacrifice. Today is a day of remembrance and it is doubtful if any home in New Zealand is not touched by the memory of Anzac. The letters A N Z A C symbolises the fusion, through fire, of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps—a fusion that can never be destroyed. Today, 27 years after, it may be thought that their sacrifices were in vain, but that is not so. They were not in vain and it is up to us to see that they were not in vain. Today we are engaged in a titanic struggle to prevent our National extermination. This is a cold, hard fact. Let the spirit and sacrifices of the Anzaes buoy us up and carry us along so that we shall not fail where they succeeded. One year ago today another generation of New Zealand’s manhood was fighting in Greece an epic battle which will go down with Anzac —an indelible memory. Twenty-six years after Gallipoli, and a year ago came Greece, and we hope that one year hence we will emerge from gloom victorious into light.”

Mr Grierson concluded by saying: tlial the spirit of Anzac was as green today as ever it was.and that if the nation upheld the tradition of Anzac and did what the Anzaes did it would not fail in the tasks that confronted it. Pukekohe Remembers “Anzaes, wherever you may he . . . wherever you are . . . Pukekohe greets and salutes you . . . ‘and at the going down of the sun’ . . . rcme’mbers you. ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend’ . . . The young Anzaes. The old Anzaes greet you. God bless you. God keep you and bring you hack safely,” was how Mr Gook opened an inspiring address. “Today.” he proceeded. “is the dawn of a new Anzac. Today is a day of remembrance and sacrifice.” Mr Cook asked his audience to recall what happened on Calvary, when Pontius Pilate gave Christ to his Gestapo. He described Hitler as the Pontius Pilate of today who was trying to place democracy and everything it stood for in the hands of his Gestapo. But like Pontius Pilate Hitler

The Welding of Democracy had made *an irretrievable mistake. “Instead of breaking us he has welded us by bonds of steel from Calvary to you. He has steeled Lhe British Empire, the United States of America, the United States of Soviet Russia, the Republic of China and those numerous other states he lias tried to smash. . . . Instead of breaking democracy he is making democracy stronger than ever. Democracy is going to break autocracy as its ring of steel is growing stronger and stronger,” added Mr Cook. Addressing the younger folk particularly, Mr Cook asked them to remember the spirit of self sacrifice of the glorious Anzaes. He asked them to remember that they would be the future custodians of democracy, and in conclusion appealed to them to get ready to carry out the duty that was before them. “To the old Anzaes have been added new Anzaes. To old wounds and scars fresh wounds have been joined. The pangs of griefs suffered in bygone days are renewed in younger hearts. To former deeds of glory new laurels are today being added,” said Pastor Barton. “As 27 years ago. so again today we wait with bated breath for news from the fields of battle, and as then, be the news good or bad, we know that our lads are bearing themselves bravely and we too are determined to be brave. We are gathered in remembrance. Particularly do we remember the landing at the Dardanelles described by an eye witness as ‘the bravest thing in the world’.” German General’s Tribute Pastor Barton then quoted extracts from dispatches which referred to the daring, dash and dauntless courage of these gallant lads, and supported these by German General Von Boon's tribute to the Anzaes in which he said, “ . . . we never had anything in the line that could be compared, man for man, with the same number of Anzaes. They w r ere man for man. superior to our best troops,” and today is set apart to their honour and memory,” added the Pastor. “I agree .with His Worship the Mayor that their sacrifices were not in vain . . .” continued Pastor Barton. “We are the better when we are constantly reminded that freedom is a precious thing and very costly. The spirit of sacrifice that the Anzaes have poured out to purchase that freedom has passed into the very fife and character of the British people. By it we are immeasurably enriched. If we forget them, their deeds, and sacrifice, the price and the value of freedom then we are a decadent people and unworthy. The gallant Anzaes of the last war have worthy successors in bravery and heroic fortitude in the second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Fresh laurels have been added to the Dominion’s fighting traditions at Mount Olympus, Thermopylae Pass, Corinth Canal, Crete, Libya and Cyrenaica. “I have ventured to epitomise this thought of worthily living in tlie great heritage bought for us at so great a price in the form of an acrostic on the undying word of Anzac —a new r zeal for active Christianity . . . Let us then make history for ourselves and our Nation by dedicating our lives to the service of God and man in Jesus Christ. Thus today and all our days shall we worthily remember and honour our Anzaes.” concluded Pastor Barton.

SERVICES ELSEWHERE The Anzac service held at Bombay recreation ground was most impressive. A parade of returned soldiers, Home Guard, and a detachment of territorials, led by a pipe and drum hand, was under the command of Captain W. A. Peterson, commander of the Bombay Home Guard. There was a record attendance. Addresses were given by the chairman, Mr W. A. Peterson. and the Rev. R. Coombridge, prayers were said by the Rev. A. A. Armstrong, and a passage of scripture was read by the Rev. Small. The service concluded with the playing of a Scottish Lament by Piper Tan McLean. The largest attendance for -years was present at the Buckland service. After wreaths had been placed on the memorial a parade under the command of Captain P. G. Osmond, comprising returned soldiers. Home Guard and school children, marched to the hall. Air A. Potter presided. Addresses were given by Pastor Barton and Captain White. M.C. The Last Post and Reveille were sounded by a bugler from a military unit. A special Anzac service was held in St. Andrew’s Anglican Church on Sunday morning. A number of Territorials attended, and the preacher was the vicar, the Rev. A. E. Prebble.