ANZAC DAY

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 April 1935, Page 5

ANZAC DAY

GREYMOUTH COMMEMORATION SERVICE AT TOWN HALL With other parts of New Zealand, and Australia, Greymouth commemorated, yesterday, the anniversary of the Anzacs’ landing on Gallipoli. The various services were well attended, and the passing of the years is obviously having no dimming effect on the memory of those in whose honour Anzac Day is observed. The weather at Greymouth was fine, and conditions were thus favourable for outdoor ceremonies.

The customary service at the Town Hall was preceded by a parade of returned soldiers, led by Brigadier-Gen-eral XV. Meldrum. The returned men, numbering 60, assembled in Boundary Street, and marched along Mawhera Quay. Tainui and Mackay Streets to the Town Hall. They were led by the Greymouth Municipal, and Greymouth Civic Bands, and followed by territorials, High School cadets. Seating accommodation in the Town Hall was insufficient, and the passages of exit were occupied by more than 100 persons.

The stage was occupied by Archdeacon J. A. Jermyn (Chairman), Revs. H. R. Fell, A. 0. Harris, W. Marks,, and the Municipal Band. The Band rendered an overture, “The Royal Trophy” a march, and followed with ■the hymn “Abide With Me.” The gathering sang the hymn “Rock of Ages,” and the Band played the “Dead March” in Saul. Mr Harris led the service in prayer, after which he read the Lesson, from portion of the 22nd Chapter of the Book of Revelations. Then followed the hymn “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus.” Apologies for absence were read by the Chairman, from Pastor W. S. Lowe, of the Church of Chrjst, who is absent at congress, in Christchurch, and Majors Wheeler and Marshall of the Salvation Army, who were absent at conference in Wellington. The address was delivered by Rev. H. R. Fell, who stated that there was no need for him to dwell upon the reason why all had collected together. They had meet to hold the annual commemoration service of Anzac Day. ■ He would point out that the service had no political significance. It was a service of commemoration. It was difficult to realise that for 16 years similar services had been held. The people would believe that after that lapse of time, nothing new could be said by him that had not been said, and better’ said, before. One of the objects of the service was to reopen the gates of memory and revive mem-1 ories once so real and vivid. April 25 was commemorated >as the date of the landing at Gallipoli. On April 23, 1915, the expedition left Mudros, and on April 25, the landing took place. John Masefield, in one of his “purple patches” of English literature, thus described that great expedition: “Ship after ship, crammed with soldiers moved slowly out of harbour in the lovely day and felt again the heave of > the sea. No such gathering of fine I ships has ever been seen upon this. earth, and the beauty of the exaltation of the youth upon them made them ; like sacred things as they moved away, i All the thousands of men on board I them gathered on deck to see ‘ till each rail was thronged. These t men had come from all parts of the British world—Africa, Australia, Canada. India, the Mother Country, New, Zealand, and remote islands in the; sea. They had said good-bye to home I that they might offer their lives in i the cause they stood for. In a few hours at most, as they well knew, per-, haps a tenth of them would have look-1 ed their last on the sun, and be parti of foreign earth —dumb things that i the tide part. Many of them would have disappeared for ever from the knowledge of men, blotted out from the book of life—none would know how. But as they moved out, these things were but the end they asked, the reward they had come for. the unseen cross upon the heart. All that they felt was a gladness of exaltation that their young courage was to be used. They went like kings in a page-1 ant to the imminent death.” j I i MEMORIES REVIVED. j # Those words, added Mr. Fell, would i revive memories to many present. The people commemorated not only the landing at Gallipoli, but read into the word “Anzac,” the deeds and sacrifices of Australians and New Zealanders in Gallipoli, Egypt, Palestine, Mesopotamia, France and Belgium. He would like to stress the need for such services being always held. The human mind and nature were very fickle; men and women passed through most profound experiences, which it would be thought would have an'influence on their lives for all time, and which they would never forget. Yet, in a year or so of common life, they drifted back to the old channel, and flowed on in the same old ways. In reality their extraordinary experiences were still there, but thej’ were so overladen with other things, that they passed out ot | the other life. If a stimulant was; given them, the past came back as vivid as ever. That was one of the, reasons for holding the services to, brush away other things, and live, again on the grave days gone. Anoth- ■ er reason for the observance of Anzac j Day, was that at least a generation [ had grown up since 1915. To the young men and women the war was only al, tradition, and Anzac was realised by them only as a name, which conveyed no great meaning to them. Young men and women, now 21 years, were only four-year-olds when the war ended, and those now 28 years were only children when the war began. The older people wanted boys and girls, young men and women, to know, and to remember Anzac Day, and that the best side —and to forget, and blot out memory of the worst side. People were wanted to forget the beastliness ( . that characterised war. War stripped, man of civilisation and sent him back' to primeval creation, and beastliness ■ came to the surface. They wanted to 1 forget the shocking exhibition of selfishness, shown by men of all class, s. in those war years. While hundieds of thousands of men were laying down their lives, others were making great fortunes through them. For sheer downright selfishness that was hard to brat. The people wanted to forget racial passion, aroused by war. It was only the action of birth that madej a man. a Turk, a Frenchman, a Ger-, man, or a British subject. Mr Fell quoted an impressive story, of two* men who had stalked each other in ai cemetery during the war, a Britisher i and a German. Finally the German 1 was shot, and on the Britisher going j up to the body, lie saw that of a fair-J haired lad. A revulsion of feeling overcame him as he looked down on the lad, and realised that “Christ died for that young man, as much as t

i'for me.’’ Every man who served in ■ 'the war had certain vivid memories. • i The most vivid to the speaker, hap- , ipened in France on a cold and bleak ■ night. There had been some mix-up .' in the early part of the night. When i day dawned there was a mist over all ■ in front of them, but they could see several dead German soldiers out there. I Contrary to orders, the speaker, with others, went out to the bodies in the hope of getting a souvenir, such as a German helmet and other things. The first man he came to, he took papers from the pockets, intending that they be sent for identification purpose. Out fell a “snap,” similar to others which hundreds of thousands of other soldiers carried. The photograph was one of two bonny “kiddies,” one each side of a dog. Written in German -were the words, “we all send love to Dad.” COST OF WAR. Alive once and a happy father, he was then a thing of clay, and those bonny “kiddies” would never see him again. 'There were thousands and millions of ' similar happenings, yet the mass of the people did not have any conception of what started the whole trouble. That was the thing that hurt, and the people wanted to make it impossible, in future, for war. They wanted to remember the sacrifices —a sacrifice was something that cost something. Seventeen thousand New Zealanders made the supreme sacrifice, of whom 2431 were buried on Gallipoli. Such figures meant a great deal to a young country such as New Zealand, but they paled into insignificance beside the total estimated in the years of the war. Military forces alone, of all the nations that took part, lost 11,000,000 men, 8,000,000 dying in action, or later of wmunds, and 3.000,000 dying of disease. To those figures had to be added the naval losses and the losses due to disease in Europe and India. The disease ravaged half the world before it could be checked, and 14,000,000 people died from it, there being 7,000,000 deaths in India alone. He was speaking of hard and realistic facts, which the people must never forget. It had to be remembered too, that whatever else the war did, it put New Zealand upon the map. In future years, 1914-18 would be marked in history in big lines, and New Zealand would be a portion in the British Commonwealth of Nations. Old tribal customs demanded that before a young man be, admitted to the tribe, he had to play an initiation part, by the shedding of blood. New Zealand’s youth had been initiated into the Empire’s history, by the shedding of blood, and that carried with it privileges and responsibilities. A great many troubles to-day were due to people grasping at privileges, and shirking responsibilities. As a people they had seen the country’s baptism through blood, but what was the use of it all unless they undertook the responsibilities that follow. He believed that the time had full come for a new kind of patriotism. He yielded to no man ; in honouring his King and couritry, but militarism as it was known, had dug its own grave. Another war such as the last, would finish Western civ-; ilisation for ever, and plunge the world back to the middle ages. Patriotic men expressing jingoistic talk were not wanted. The love for patriotism should be as one’s love for an old school, a love of fellowmen. and love of God. Patriotism should win victory in times of peace, as well as in times of war. As part of the people of the British Empire, it fell as an obligation to New Zealanders to uphold "the ideals of righteousness, truth purity and justice. Looking back on the years, people realised the trials they had been through, trials never thought possible a few years ago. cruel torturing years. Patriotism as the love of country, home, fellowmen and God, put in the full, deep sense of the word, meant working for the - welfare of the whole community. In : concluding, Mr. Fell said he would, quote the poetry written by Luis Kins- ; berg, entitled “The Cry of the War ; Dead,” as follows:—

Silence the hateful mortal’s lying mutter, Silence the drums’ loud perjury; the quick Falsehood of bullets, the machineguns’ stutter, And all the bellowing cannons’ rhetoric. Out of the forum of our hush we dead Cry out above the cannon and the drum, It ever from any slaying, any dread, Will spring to flower the milennium. Begin rebuilding Eden once more; start Healing all broken-hearted peoples whole. There is no other nation but the heart; There is no other country but the soul. Mr Fell expressed thanks for the opportunity afforded him of speaking once again from the platform on the occasion of Anzac Day. He asked for pardon if he had spoken with feeling, but the subject was one of the things that touched the hearts of Christian men and women, that on such a day felt the weight and sorrow of u heavy heart. “I wish you well.” concluded the speaker, who was immediately applauded by the large congregation. The hymn. “Oh. Clod. Our Help in Ages Past." was followed by Archdeacon Jenny offering up a thanksgiving prayer, after which Bandmaster Kerr sounded "The Last Post." and the singing of the National Anthem concluded the service. AT THE CENOTAPH

After the main service in the Town 'Hall. the procession of returned mon. 1 volunteers and school cadets, head- ; ed by the Municipal and Civic Rands, inarched to the Cenotaph in iainui ; Street, where there was again a large gathering of townspeople. “A Garland i of Flowers” was rendered by the I Civic Band, and Cornetist R. Rudhall 'sounded the Last Post, the National Anthem concluding the ceremony. ' Wreaths placed on the Cenotaph bore the following inscriptions: In

Remembrance of the Canterbury Battalion killed in action, August 7, 1915, Gallipoli; In Loving Memory of Frank and Harry Weenink (2); From the Greymouth R.S.A.; In Remembrance from United Football Club; From the Citizens of Greymouth; In Memory of Trooper A. Good; In Memory of my brother, Lance-Corporal W. A. Edwards (sent by his sister, Ada Leach); In Memory of Captain T. Wyville, Rutherford, M.C., Main Body; “Lest We Forget”; Ferguson Family; In Loving Memory ( of Our Boys; From the Italian Club; In Loving Memory of Fred and Lou Coumbe and all fallen comrades.

RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ASSN. ' The Executive fo the Returned Soldiers’ Association proceeded to the Grey Hospital and the Karoro Cemetery following the Cenotaph service. At the Hospital a wreath was laid on the Jamieson tablet, erected to the memory of Sister Jamieson, and at the cemetery, crosses were laid on the graves of deceased returned soldiers, soldiers. AT ST. PATRICK’S, 7 ri Requiem Mass was celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church at 9 a.m., for the repose of the souls of departed soldiers, by Rev. Father Holohan. There was a Miss M. McSherry presided at the organ, rendering the Dead March in Saul. GREY MAIN SCHOOL. A brief memorial service was held at the Grey Main School at 10.15 a.m., there being an attendance of children, teachers and parents, to the number of about two hundred. In the absence of the Chairman of the School Committee, Mr. J. Tennent presided, and with him on the platform were: Messrs. R. J. Williams, A. E. Morgan; A. J. Fairmaid, O. McLean, W. E. Bring (Returned Soldiers’ Association), J. Ring and Ven. Archdeacon J. A. Jermyn. The hymn “Rock of Ages,” by the Municipal Band, under Mr. L. Francis, opened the service, and Archdeacon Jermyn then led the gathering in prayer.

Mr. Tennent explained to the assemblage the significance of the great day they were commemorating. It was the twentieth anniversary, he said, of the famous landing of the Anzacs at Gallipoli, and it was a day of remembrance that al! should reverence and keep sacred, as the greatest day of honour in New Zealand. He urged the children to recall the splendid courage and manliness of the Anzacs, and to endeavour to develop in themselves similar courage and similar patriotism.

Archdeacon Jermyn delivered the occasional address, recounting to the children the story of the landing, and impressing on them the lessons to he learned from the great sacrifice. The Band played the hymn “O God Our Help in Ages Past,” and the service closed with the henediction, pronounced by Archdeacon Jermyn, and a verso of the National Anthem. Two wreaths were laid on the School Memorial Gates, one in memory of Private Percy Bridges, and the other in memory of Private Leslie Ring and all who made the supreme sacrifice. AT UNITED PAVILION.' At the United Pavilion the customary service was held to honour the memory of the Anzacs who paid the supreme sacrifice, especially members of the United Club. Mr A. M. Jamieson presided, and the Mayor (Mr J. W. Greenslade) and the Town Clerk (Mr F. H. Denton), were also present, with a number of citizens, and members of the club. The chairman apologised for the unavoidable absence of the President (Mr T. P. Ryan), the Patron (Mr G. Rear) and Mr Neville. He said they met to commemorate the landing at Gallipoli, and especially to honour those members of the United Club who paid the supreme sacrifice. On the Honour Board there were the names of over 70 members who served in the War and of these some 16 t did no 1 return. ‘The Mayor said they recalled with pride, that day, the gallant deeds of the New Zealand boys in the Great War, and particularly the United Club members who served and paid the supreme sacrifice. They were not assembled to glorify war, but to recall with pardonable pride, the courage arid the manliness of the Anzacs, and it was sincerely hoped that the sacrifice made by so many millions of the manhood of the nation had not been made in vain. Those men fought for ideals which should be kept in the forefront to-day, and it was up to those remaining to reverence the memory of those who did not return, and to give all assistance possible to their dependents, and to those who returned. The gathering stood in silence as Mrs G. Wilson placed three wreaths on the Honours Board, two from the United Football Club, and one from the Ferguson family. The singing of a verse of the National Anthem concluded the service. AT COBDEN. The Anzac service at McKane s Hall, yesterday morning, was, as in former years, well attended. The audience included returned soldiers, Girl Guides, and school children, marshalled by the Headmaster (Mr H. R. Barrett). Rev. E. W. Marks presided, and the stage contained a number of wreaths. The service opened with a verse of the National Anthem, led by the Greymouth Civic Band, followed by the hymn, “0 God, Our Help, ’ prayer by Mr Marks, and reading of Scripture by Mr T. Tarrant. An apology was tendered for the ab-‘ sence of Mr A. H. Mclxane, president of the R.S.A. Mr T. H. Jones (returned soldier) said they had met again to commemorate an event of twenty years ago,/ in connection wfith the Great War, the landing of an untried body of men from New Zealand and Australia on a foreign shore. At dawn on April 25. 1915, they scrambled ashore, making a landing which was considered by experienced soldiers to be impossible. That was a triumph for Anzac, the title meaning the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. That, day they were honouring their memory—-their heroism, suffering, and sacrifice during four years of blood and strife. They gave all for us and cur children, and they hoped their memory would live down to remind them of the futility of war. which was a filthy, horrible thing. As the years go by. there were still the burnt-out men needing assistance, for whom the speaker made an appeal.

‘‘The Garland of Flowers” was then rendered by the Band. Ven. Archdeacon J. A. Jermyn thanked Mr Jones for his address. He gave a reading depicting the work of the hospital shins, which helped them to remember life’s sacrifice made for those at home. They honoured the memory of Anzac anniversary—a clay

better known by comrades in arms'. They must strive against a spirit of disillusionment, that their children may grow up loyal to God and King and country, and take their part in the making of a better world. The hymn “Abide with Me” was sung, and "The Last Post” sounded, Mr Marks closing with prayer.

A procession was formed, and a J visit paid to the State School honours board. At the Memorial Bridge were a number of wreaths, from the Cobden School, relatives and friends. These were dedicated by Mi' Marks, the Civic Band played “The Garland of Flowers,” a bugler sounded ‘‘The Last Post,” and the Band concluded with a verse of the National Anthem. HOKITIKA. Beautiful sunshine prevailed yesterday, and Anzac commemoration services passed off successfully. The ceremonial was similar to that carried out in former years. A parade comprising returned soldiers, Girl Guides, Boy Scouts, a firing party of volunteers, headed by the Hokitika Municipal Band, in charge of Lieut. Hutchison, marched from the Drill Hall in Camp Street to the South African War Memorial (the town clock). Here a salute was fired in honour of the men who fell in the South African. War. “The Last Post” and Reveille was sounded by Bandsman L. L. Ross, the band playing the National Anthenv The parade proceeded to the Cenotaph on Cass Square, where the main ceremony was held. The National Anthem was sung, after which the opening address was delivered by the Mayor (Mr G. A. Perry). ’ Then followed the hymn, “O God Our Help,” scripture reading by Rev. G. A. Naylor, prayer by Rev. 11. J. W. Knights. The hymn, “God of Our Fathers, known of Old” was sung, after which the occasional address was delivered by Rev. W. E. A. Carr. Another hymn, the “Doxology,” was sung, after which the Benediction was pronounced by P°v. H. J. W. Knights. Wreaths were then deposited at the base of the Cenotaph and the firing party' fired a salute, followed by “The Last Post” and Reveille being sounded by Bandsman Ross and the playing of the National Anthem by the Band, which also provided the music for the singing. The parade re-formed and marched to the State School Memorial, where wreaths were deposited, the Band playing the National Anthem.

From here the returned soldiers proceeded to the Cemetery, where wreaths were placed on the graves of returned men. A ladies’ committee provided afternoon tea for all who took part in the ceremonial. In the evening there was a capacity house at the Princess Theatre, where the Anzac concert was held. An excellent programme was presented,, the participants being Miss Robinson and orchestra; song, Mrs C. H. Harrison (encored); monologue, Miss B. Evans (encored); solo, Mr T. Stopforth (encored); violin solo, Rev. W. E. A. Carr (encored); solo, Miss Taylor (encored); cornet solo, Master D. Christensen (encored); duet, Masters McMfillan and Robinson (encored); community singing; solo, Miss R. Morgan (encored); quartette, Maori party (encored); instrumental trio, Master, Mrs ami Mr r>. Christensen (encored). Miss M. Giese was the official accompaniste, and Mr Ashley conducted the community singing. Mr J. L. Menzies (chairman) expressed the thanks of the R.S.A. for the generous support given the Association on this and other occasions. REEFTON,. On Anzac Day a special morning service was held at St. Stephen’s Church. At the Church of the Sacred Heart the day was also commemorated by special services. Reefton returned soldiers with Waiuta representatives attended the united service held at the Princess Theatre. Pupils of the Reef ton District High School met at the school and marched to the Soldiers’ memorial. The first company Reefton Girl Guides under Captain 1. Kearns also paraded, and the Brownies. The school cadets were on parade led by the Inangahua Silver Band. The procession, under the command of Major H. Campbell, M.C. and bar, marched to the Theatre. The attendance was better than it has been for many years. Mr W. Pratt. President of the Reefton Branch of the R.S.A. occupied the chair and associated with him were Rev. W. F. Evans, and Rev. W. Beil, and Rev. C. E. Dickens. Mr Roi Don presided at the piano. Proceedings opened with the singing of the National Anthem. Mr W. S. Pratt referred to the purpose of the gathering, and stated that as this was the last occasion on which he would be able to do so, he wished to thank the public of Reefton for their support of any movement which the local .branch of the R.S.A. had made. The gathering sung Kipling’s Recessional Hymn, after which prayer was offered by Rev. C. Dickens. A selection “To the Memory of the Brave” was played by the. Inangahua Silver Band under Conductor W. E. Elliston, and the gathering sang the hymn “The Nameless Graves.” The Lesson was read by Rev. W. Bell and was chosen from the Book of Revelation. Mr A. H. MeKane, Vice-President of the Canterbury Westland District of the R.S.A., stated he was addressing almost two generations, who had no personal knowledge of the war, and of Anzac Day and its memories. ' He traced the historic days of the early stages of the war, and referred to the willing spirit which prompted men to volunteer to light for what they believed to be | right. A collection was taken, and the band played a selection, after which the hymn “O God Our Help in Ages Past” was sung. The gathering reformed outside the hall and moved to the Soldiers’ Memorial, where wreaths were laid on the memorial. A roll call of the fallen was read by Mr W. S. Pratt. The Last Post was sounded by Mr E. Baird. Rev. W. F. Evans pronunced the Benediction, and the National Anthem concluded the service. An evening service was held at St. Stephen’s Church. WESTPORT. WESTPORT, April 25. | Anzac services conducted by the Westport Ministers’ Association were held in the Theatre Royal and at the Gates of Remembrance, Victoria Square, this afternoon, in fine weather, with a large attendance of the public, the R.S.A., Girl Guides, Territorials and Cadets. Mr J. Kilkenny, the Mayor, presided. The main addresses were impressively given by Rev. S. W. Webber (Theatre) and Captain Saunders (Gates).