SOIL THEY WON

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 February 1937, Page 13

SOIL THEY WON

GIFT TO AUSTRALIANS. In memory of the services of the 2nd Australian Division at Mont St. Quentin, a French flag, a small packet of soil, and a number of ears of wheat have been sent to Australia, and it is hoped that this wheat will flourish in Australian soil, mixed with the earth from the battlefield, says the “Sydney Morning Herald.” “The finest single feat of arms in the war” was the description given by the late Field-Marshal Earl Haig, Commander-in-Chief of the British troops on the Western Front, to the capture from the German forces of Mont St. Quentin by the 2nd Australian Division on August 31 and September 1, 1918. The position was strongly fortified, and was the key to Peronne. The 2nd Division erected on the hillside its memorial to comrades who fell on the Western Front, and every year on the first Sunday in Septembei’ the Commune celebrates its deliverance. On each occasion a representative from the 2nd Division has attended the ceremony.

Some years ago, the Mayor (M. Marlin), who was a soldier in the Great War, asked that an Australian flag might be presented to his Commune by the 2nd Division, to hang beside the French flag. Major-General Sir Charles Rosenthal, who commanded the division in France, forwarded a flag, and suggested that it would be much appreciated if, in return, a French flag might be forwarded to him.

The Mayor replied that the French tricolour had been obtained. On September 6, the flag was handed over to Brigadier-General S. C. Herring, of Sydney, who represented the division at the annual ceremony. To the flag were attached a small packet of soil, taken from the actual ground ovei’ which the victorious Australian troops advanced to battle, and a number of ears of wheat, which had been grown in the same soil by the Mayor. .

MAYOR’S PRAISE. In a letter to General Rosenthal, the Mayor said: — “Prompted by a pious thought, I have joined to this flag a little bag containing earth, and some ears of wheat, which I cut myself on the north-west part of Mont St. Quentin, on the place where the 2nd Division prepared its attack on August 30, 1918, and from which point after a difficult attack our Commune was delivered. “These memories and relics, which you will keep sacredly, will remind your comrades of those among them who fell as heroes on our French soil. Unfortunately, the thousands of miles which separate us have prevented you from coming across. “My General, be the interpreter for all the old combatants of Mont. St. Quentin, to convey to o<ir comrades of the 2nd Australian Division the expression of our sincere friendship, as well as to the parents of the heroes who sleep their last sleep on the soil of Picardy in France. They can be assured that the survivors of the Great always think of their brothers in arms.

“Every year on November 11, and on the first Sunday in September, we make our way, accompanied by the population, to the foot of the beautiful monument, which reminds us of the years 1914-1918, when so many fell for a just cause. “My General, when you unfurl the tricolour beside the Australian flag, think of those of youi’ comrades, old French combatants, who will never forget you. Say to all the officers, noncommissioned officers, and men of the fine division that you had the honour to command that our feelings of friendship are sent to them. “And you, my General, in my name personally) and in the name of all my comrades, former combatants of the Commune. “I cordially salute you, “(Sgd.) D. MARLIN, “Mayor, Officer of the Reserve, Chevalier of the Legion of Honour, President of the Section of the Veterans of Mt. St. Quentin.” Seeds of scarlet poppies and blue cornflowers, from theh same battlefield, will be planted in New South Wales with the wheat.