ANZAC DAY

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXII, Issue 12537, 26 April 1935, Page 5

ANZAC DAY

OBSERVANCE IN GISBORNE' CEREMONY '4t wa# Memorial. STIRRING ADDRESS BY REV. DANIEL. THE FUTILITY OF AVAR. IMPERISHABLE; MEMORIES. A stirring address by the Rev. H. Daniel, Abo paid tribute to the imperishable memory of the Anzacs and graphically illustrated the utter futil•jgtjty of" war; with special reference to the horrors of. future warfare, was a feature of the Anzac Day observance. in Gisborne yesterday. The weather proved favorable and! the ceremony was held out of doors. This wn.-s the 20th anniversary of Anzac and the proceedings therefore, had added significance which produced a very large attendance. Proceedings ffere on the same lines as in previous years. A parade’, including a large number of returned men South African veterans, nursing sisters, Legion of Frontiersmen, AV.E.C M.E., cadets and other voluntary forces, High School cadets, members of the Gisborne Fire Brigade and St John Ambulance, Boy Scouts, Woif Cubs and Girl Guides, formed up by the Y.M.C.A. and, with the military and Salvation Army bands, marched via Peel street and l Gladstone road to the war memorial on Kaiti esplanade There th e ceremony opened with the National Anthem and Kipling’s ‘Recessional,’ after which Canon A. F. Hall led the gathering in prayer. The Rev. E. TV. Batts read a passage from th© Scriptures, floral were placed on the memorial an* then the Anzac Anthem iwa s sung. The Rev. Daniel followed with his address and, after the hymn, ‘ O God, Our Help in Ages Past,” Sergeant H. Murphy sounded the Last Post and Reveille. The pronouncing of the Benediction by the Rev. J. H. Boyd, concluded the ceremony, after which thq parade marched! bacß to Fi.tzherbert street for dismissal. Loud speakers were in use during the proceedings . An innovation this -year was the placing of four members of the Legion of Frontiersmen the corners of tho Memorial. They were in full uniform and stood thorei throughout with reversed arms and bowed heads Jit added an impressive not c which evoked much favorabl P comment, especially in regard to the remarkable steadiness of the four sentinels during their long stand At the annual meeting of the Gisborne R S.A later, several speakers highly praised The innovation, it being mentioned that their steadiness was tho admiration of all and was a real credit to, tho service. The Legion deserved hearty thank;) for the suggestion, a comment which was warmly acclaimed’. WONDERFUL FLORAL EMBLEMS Not for many years lias there been Such a beautiful eouection of floral emblems ns were placed on the Memorial yesterday. Many of these wore outstanding examples of tho florists’ - prt, notably those placed, on behalf of the R.S.A, Legibh of Frontiersmen Eir 0 Brigade and Kaiti. School staff a.nd( pupils. Besides a very large number of private tributes, and in addition to those mentioned above, floral emblems wore placed on the memorial on behalf of the following local bodies and other organisations:— South African Veterans’ Association ; Gisborne Borough Council; Cook County Council; AVajkohu County Council; Harbor Board; Power Board; Women’s National Reserve, C.D.C.;..Victoria League; P.B. .Woolbrokers’’ Association; P.B. Turf Chi"'; Gisborne Women’s Club; Manchester Unity; U.A.O.D. (Turanganui Lodge' I. (Star of Gisborne and Mangapapa, Lodges) ; Ormondl Gardening Circle; staff of Messrs D. J. Barry, Ltd; Gisborne Boy Scouts; Wolf Cubs; Rangers; Girl Guides and Brownie Pack'. REV. DANIEL’S ADDRESS. "We are here today in memory of Anzac,” stated the Eev. Daniel, in opening hie, address, “andl never will wo it—we would not if we could and: we could not if wc would. As long as there is British reverence of bravery, Anzac will remain in imperishable memory. TVhat surging thoughts must lie within u s today, over 20 years after the stirring, opening days of the Great TVar. Tithe dulls memory in many ways, hut we cen never forget Anzac.” QUIET—THEN TURMOIL. Air Daniel went on to recall that it was on a morning that they read the simple announcement that Britain wag at war. Thereafter was tho end of quietness and there were tho stirring bustling days of recruiting, camps and farewells. They would recall the experiences at Trentham th© rush overseas, the first engagements in Egypt and the thrilling, heroic episodes on Gallipoli which brought into being; the tradition of Anzac. ' Heroic deeds were performed everywhere and memories created! which would be everlasting. . They would remember Gallipoli, 20 years a, go to the day—how the New Zealand forces had: their baptism of fire, liow the packed transports steamed out of Mudros, how, those on the warships had teiise hours of waiting through a misty night. Those a nxi-. ous lisentcrs heard sounds of miisktery, cheers and cries. WHEN THE MISTS CLEARED. When th© mists cleared, continued ? Air Daniel, an astounding, almost unbelievable heroic deed was revealed to . th© eyes of watchers. During tho hours of .darkness the Anzacs. hadl scaled almost perpendicular cliffs’, 50Cft in height, in the face of stern hand-to-hand resistance. It wag ono of. the greatest deeds in history. .For seven month’s, they °c- ' cupied the position and . never did they hold more than a few hundred

acres. Yet in that small area there . were 7) miles ofj trenches and 311 aeroplane observer who flew above them, stated that the position was like the lines on a man’s hand. Turks three deep were ranged against them and the Turks were then the best trained troops in Europe. Despite the terrific- odds the Anzacs held out gallantly to the end and that end came noj. because they were beaten far from it, but through a change of tactics which, necessitated evacuation. GREAT PATRIOTS. Mr Daniel went on to recall the many other engagements in which the New Zealander s took part, Mesopotamia and the many engagements in France. They would recall with him, too, the bleak march, of 1918 when the Allies had to retreat, in places as much as’ 50 or 60 miles. It seemed then they were faced by ruin and the darkest dawn. But the men hung on magnificently and the tide tur.’ied. TYliat great lovers of their country these men were and one can well think of the Master saying: 'Greater love hath no man than this—that he lay down his life for his friend.’ The speaker had vivid memories of the men then, in camps, h' trains, in tho trenches, shivering in water, slush’ arid hitter cold with tho inevitable cigarette, awaiting the °rder to go! over the top. He especially remembered their everlasting cheeri--ness', tlieif smiles and their laughter. Was it n.ny wonder the peasants term ed them: ‘The big brawn men with the kincl! smile and softer hearts.’ Truly the Alaster would say to them: ‘Well done.’ They went into action with a smile and they fell with their faces to the foe. Their memory will not grow old. ‘WHO WON THE TVAR?’ “Here is another thought I wish to leave with you,” proceeded Mr Daniel. “We were told it was a war to end war, hut who won it? Do you think; Great Britain won the' war? Pause and think a. moment. A million of her sons lie dead. Trillions of others drag themselves through life broken,or maimed. Think of the myriads of sorrowing hearts', broken hearts, even today, despite th© healing influence of passing time. Think on tiles© things and—did Britain win the war? Did America win the war? She certainly suffered physically far less than the other nations and she built ut> colossal debts which are still owing her—and I doubt- whether she will ever h© paid many of them. Did Germany win the war? Did France? Ask yourselves and think about it. ‘TVAR SETTLES NOTHING.’ '‘War ip beastly and war is Hell”, sairll Air Daniel. ‘‘and one of the worst features that it settles nothing. It leaves simply a- harvest of misery and. hate. T think the Great War taught us little. We talk °1 peace- today, hut do wo mean it? lii 1914, when war broke out. armament expenditure was £800,000,090 annually, yet? today it- has risen to .62,500,000,000. Does that look like peace? There is unrest and distrust everywhere—the nations are not pulling together. Can yon snv then, Hint they learned anything from the Great War?”

Th© speaker went- on to refer to the terrible possibilities of aerial warfare, quoting freely from an anthorafive book on tho subject, of Britain’s position in this respect. A few amateur fliers, swinging over London, coutcl drop bombs accurate!v on tli© nerve centres °f the great metropolis. W ore such bombs filled with a certain explosive, it would mean the death °f over 2,000,000 of the inhabitants. YdT in France there were 4000 planes, which could ho assembled by wireles® in a few hours. They could fly over the Channel and drop 1000 toils of bombs in a- matter' of a tow more hours. In the Great War th© dropp ing of 12 tons of bombs in a month was regarded as a great feat, hut a mere bagatelle compared with th e possibilities today. A warship eost £7,000,000 to construct, hut an aeraplone, costing £IOOO, could destroy it; easily.

Mr Daniel intimated, that he mentioned tlies© points in order to show the peoplo what they could expect if war cam© again. It would he too horrible to contemplate and they must bend all their energies to preventing it-. “God grant that peace, goodwill a.nd brotherhood may abound miiong the nations of th© earth.' concluded Mr Daniel. IN OTHER. CENTRES. RECORD GATHERING AT HASTINGS. HASTINGS, April 25. : (Press Association). Following record Poppy Day s£l©S th© parade of returned soldiers at the commemoration service at Hastings today was easily the. largest held here since the institution of Anzac Day, and there was riot room in t-h e Municipal Theatre: for all. who can)© to attend th© service. Military units and others 1 , such as Scouts and Guides ©ere present in larger numbers than over before, arid there was . greater dignity and reverence in the whole of th observance of the day. Colonel Holderness, president of the Hastings R.S.'A., gave a stirring address, pointing out that th© day had been set aside to .commemorate not only those who died but those sorters no>v living, especially those in pain, suffering and distress. “If you do oat think and feel that the men who went to the war merit some special thought” .he said, “then, you, do. hot understand the purpose of the service that we ar©. holding here today.” ! KING’S MESSAGE TO N.Z. •• •* (Press Association); l AUCKLAND, April 25. The Governor-General (Lord Galway) has received the following Anzac Day message from th© King:— “In this Jubilee Year the Queen J 1 T 4 ILr T»0,11 /I Fn fl KS(V-«

ciate ourselves with my people W New Zealand in their observance of their day of feniemhfance.— George R. 1,” LOitDi GALWAY AT AUCKLAND (Press Associatoon) ,* AUCKLAND, April 25 Anzac Day was observed in tho customary manner, the principal ceremonies being that at the Cenotaph in fine weather in the afternoon and the Commemoration service in the Town Hall in the morning. Both were impressive and largely attendeLord and Lady Galway attended the ceremonies at th© Town Hall. Lord Galway .delivered the King’s message and read 1 the Lesson. INNOVATION AT WELLINGTON. (JPi esa A s-sc’cV'-'Uoju WELLINGTON, April 25. Tli© largest military parad© for several years wag a feature of th© impressive Anzac. Day commemoration in Wellington today. Th© ceremony a.t the Citizens’ TVar Memorial; wah attended by ah exceptionally largo crowd', the service -being conducted by Canon Pereival James, with th© assistance of ministers of other denominations. An innovation, which created a deep impression, followed tho principal ceremony, when the Full Retreat was carried out by the Wellington Pipe Band in conjunction with th© Wellington Regimental Band, which played the slow march and the counter march.

MELBOURNE’S TRIBUTE (U P. A. by Eleo- Tel. Copyright.) (Rec. Apri] 25, 11 p.m.) MELBOURNE, April 25. At the close of the. sacred Anzac holiday observed in Victoria today, over 3000' ex-servicemen marched past the Cenotaph. A. reverent trihut© to the Fallon wag paid' at the Shrine of Remembrance at dawn and a united commemoration service was held) at the Exhibition Building in the afteimoon. SYDNEY’S CELEBRATIONS. RECORD SPECTACULAR. PARADE (U.P A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright.) (Roc. April 25, 7.35) p.m.) SYDNEY j April 25. Th© 20th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing was celebrated in glorious weather in Sydney by a great parade including over 50,000 -men from all parts of tho State. The city’s boflagged streets were thronged with masses of cheering people. Thousands upon thousands of ageing, battle. scarred ex-servicemen with medals and. decorations bright and impos ing, tramped the city 12 abreast to the martial tunes of over 30 hands. It was the most spectacular Anzac march in the State’s- history. The Occasion also was one for a happy reunion of thousands of city- and country Diggers and old comrades who had not seonono another since the days of demobilisation.

At the head of the procession, Avhicli occupied two hours to pass a given point, there was a- seemingly endless line of taxicabs carrying blind, maimed arid liinhles s ox-soldiers. Then came mounted police, N.Z. ox-servion men, as usual, headed ill© rank and file. The commemoration service on th© Domain was attended by nvc 150,000 people. Several well known nr chaplain's took a prominent part in. the proceedings. The scene at the Cenotaph at dawn wn f; ns impressive as in former years. A wealth of magnificent flowers and wreaths was pled: high round the Cenotaph and included a. wreath land, by .Mr T. J. Schmitt, th© Now Zealand Trade Com missioner, on behalf of th© Dominion Government. Mr Schmitt also represented the New Zealand Government, at tli© Commemoration service arm other official gatherings in honor of the Anzacs.

KING’S MESSAGE TO AUSTRALIA (U.P.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Rec. April 25, 10.20 p.m.) SYDNEY", April 25. Tho King’s Anzac Day message to Australia states:—“ln this- Jubilee Year, the Queen and' I are especially proud to associate ourselves with the people of Australia in tho observance of this day of remembrance.” The Governor-General replied on behalf of tho Government, the Commonwealth and the Australian peoplo offering loyal and affectionate gratitude fo;* the gracious message.