ARMISTICE REMEMBRANCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 November 1933, Page 5

ARMISTICE REMEMBRANCE

SERVICE AT WHITEHALL

KING UNABLE TO ATTEND

[OFFICIAL WIRELESS.]

RUGBY, November 11. Th,e fifteenth anniversary of the Armistice was commemorated to-day, throughout the country, by the observance of two minutes’ silence at the Armistice hour, and by the wearing of Flanders poppies, made by exservice men. The chief ceremony took place at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, but in Cathedrals and churches, in the war memorials of cities and villages, and wherever there is a British colony throughout the world, a similar tribute was paid. The King was represented by the Prince of Wales, with whom were the Duke of Gloucester and Prince George. Prince Arthur of Connaught, attended by the Duke of York, represented the King at the Armistice service in Edinburgh. The King’s wreath was laid at the base of the Whitehall Cenotaph by the Prince of Wales, who also laid a wreath on his' own behalf, and wreaths were placed in position by other members of the Royal Family, and by representatives of the Governments in the United Kingdom, the Dominions, India, the Colonies and Protectorates, and on behalf of the Defence services, the merchant navy, and the fishing fleets. Representative detachments of the Army, Navy, Air Force, ex-service men and women, led by the bands of the Brigade of Guards, marched to the Cenotaph, round which they formed a hollow square. A brief service was conducted by the Bishop of London, and ended by the sbunding of the “Reveille,” and the singing of the National Anthem. •

The Queen occupied a window in the nome Office, which overlooks the Cenotaph.

PRINCE AT ALBERT HALL

[BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.]

LONDON, November 11.

Armistice Day was celebrated at the Cenotaph and at Westminster Abbey with customary stately impressive ceremony. Streets were thronged with silent, reverent crowds. The King, though perfectly well, did not attend owing to foggy, cold weather, his advisers recalling his illness in 1927 which began with a chill caught at the Cenotaph. The Prince of Wales deputised for him. Mr S. Bruce laid a wreath on the Cenotaph on behalf of Australia, and Colonel Lascelles on behalf of New Zealand. The Agents-General attended the ceremony.

From the “darkened” stage at the Albert Hall, during the’ British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance, the Prince of Wales, for the first time, declaimed Binyon’s lines to the fallen. When he impressively reached the final words, the thousands filling the jjall answered with one voice “We will remember them.” After which they sang “O Valiant Hearts,” w-hile a million poppy petals fell from the roof. . . , Representatives of the British overseas forces, including Australians and New Zealanders attended. Capt. Eden (Under Foreign Sec-

retary) speaking at Birmingham condemned the isolationists as impractical, adding: The only way to keep out of the next war, is to prevent it.. Mr Winston Churchill, at a reunion of the Royal Naval Division said: — History will unquestionably proclaim that if you had been supported at the Dardanelles, as God knows I did my best to secure, the world would be much happier. The war would have been shortened and millions of men would be alive to-day, who passed untimely from the world.

“WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.”

Solemn the drums thrill: death august and royal . , , Sings sorrow up into immorta There is music in the midst of

desolation, And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, ■they were young, Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow. They w r ere staunch to the end, against odds uncounted, They fell with their faces to the toe.

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them. —Laurence Binyon.

FASCISTS AND COMMUNISTS.

LONDON, November 12.

A Union Jack, belonging to a party of British Fascists, was seized and torn to pieces by Fascist Communists, in a clash in Trafalgar Square.

The Communists were returning from the German Embassy, where the police prevented them presenting, a petition against the Reichstag trial. They held a meeting in Trafalgar Square, when a lorry-load of Black Shirts hurled leaflets amongst them, provoking a free fight. Mounted police restored order. CAMBRIDGE PACIFISTS. LONDON, November 12. The police drew their truncheons yesterday, to deal with Armistice Day disorders at Cambridge, where the male and the female adherents of the Anti-War Movement, despite a majority showing resentment at the choice of such occasion, involved themselves in conflicts. They were pelted with eggs, flour, tomatoes and fish. Banners were displayed which were inscribed. “Stop This Poppy Day Business!’’ A group who laid a wreath on the War Memorial were afterwards pelted.

SCENES IN DUBLIN.

DUBLIN, November 11.

Serious trouble was expected in connection with Armistice Day. The leaders of the Irish Republican Army, speaking at College Green on Friday night, protested against the display of Imperialism, and ordered their followers to tear down every poppy in

Dublin, and to burn every Union Jack. At the end of the meeting, two large Union Jacks were burnt amid wild cheers from the crowd. The Labour bodies and the I.R.A. are also holding a procession in Dublin, carrying banners inscribed “Resist the British Bully!” and “Release the Prisoners!” The latter matter has reference to the Republicans, whom Mr De Valera has gaoled. Later advices state that there was a parade only at Dublin for Armistice Day. Despite last night’s disturbances, each section held its procession. Ten thousand ex-service-men carried Regimental colours. Union Jacks were not displayed. Men singing “The Soldiers’ Song inteirupted the silence outside the Bank of Ireland. The police suppressed consequent scuffles.

IN OTHER CENTRES.

SYDNEY, November 11.

The usual Armistice Day commemoration service was held at the Cenotaph. The Air Force and naval men, including a detachment from the French warship “Aldebaran,” formed the guard. SUVA, November 11.

Armistice Day was celebrated here this morning, being the first place in the British Empire to observe the two minutes’ silence. The Governor, troops and populace were present in Albert Park. NEW YORK, November 11.

America observed Armistice Day today with the two minutes’ silence at eleven in the morning, and customary services at various war shrines. President Roosevelt journeyed to the Unknown Soldiers’ grave at Arlington and placed a wreath there. OTTAWA, November 11.

Canada’s war-time Premier failed to attend the Armistice ceremony for the first time, Sir R. Borden being ill with asthma. His wife deposited a wreath. Larger crowds than usual attended the ceremonies in all cities throughout the Dominion.