HEROES OF ANZAC

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 27 April 1925, Page 5

HEROES OF ANZAC

EMPIRE PAYS TRIBUTE

SERVICE IN LONDON

SCENES' AT THE! CENOTAPH

BY CABGE-PKE.SS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT LONDON, April 25.

Sir William Bird wood, presided at a dinner attended by forty Anzaas at the Hotel Victoria, to commemorate Anzac Day. The toast, “Absent Comrades,’’ was honoured in silence. The chairman read a telegram from Sir Lam Hamilton, conveying affectionate greetings, also greetings from Anzacts in the Indian Army, Sir William Birdwootl said lie would be delighted to convey greetings to the 'Twenty-ninth Division at the latter s dinner to-morrow. It was that division which first showed the Anzac® what the British .soldier really was. He was surprised that one Australian State (Western Australia) had tabooed the Anzao Day observance “because it maintained the spirit of militarism.’ “I send Ainzac greetings to that State the same as to the rest, of Australia,” said Sir William, “hut I would point out that nobody need fear it is fostering the spirit of militarism. Rather they should feel grateful that their comrades proved themselves the men they did. It is in that spirit we wish to see Anzac Day observed. it is the biggest day in Australian history. Australia remembers the anniversary of Captain Cook’s landing, but Ajiaao Bay .signalised Australia’s .stepping into nationhood.'’ 'Speakers pointed out the paradox that Sir William Bird wood was fieldmarfshal in the British. Army list, but was only a. general in the Australian list.

Sir William Hirdwood, in a message to New Zealand, said: “I send heartiest greetings to the Government and people. I know to-day the memory of fallen comrades is very vividly with us. They will never be forgotten by us who by God’s grace returned to our homelands. My sympathies and sincere thoughts go out to. the people of New Zealand in their anxiety concerning the health of their great Prime Minister.” ■ Sir Alexander Godloy requested Sir James Allen (High Commissioner for New Zealand) to transmit- Anzac greetings to the New Zealand Expeditionary force; also his concern at Mr. Mia&sey's illness. [ There were remarkable scenes at the cenotaph in Whitehall, where the High Commissioners had to struggle through a vast crowd in order to place wreaths on the occasion of Anzac Day. •Thousands of men and women from Yorkshire and Wales, who had arrived ip London to attend the Cup final, wearing football colours, ranged on both sides of the road, all reverent and quiet, contrasting with the previous hilarity and excitement while journeying through the streets'in char-a-bancs and op foot. They doffed their weirdly coloured hats, there was sudden silence, and they ceased the fire of rattles. The hushing of clamorous voices was mo> o impressive than an organised demonstration, of respect. The crowd waited all the morning with, bunches ol flowers, including scores of buttonholes plucked impulsively from coat lapels, the wearers laving them at the foot of the cenotaph. , ' The Anzac service at St. Clement Danes, in the Strand, was -attended by a large number of ex-members of the Australian and New Zealand forces. Sir Joseph Cook and Sir .James Allen were present. The ex-soldiers paraded in front of the war shrine, where wreaths were laid' on behalf of Australia. and New Zealand. During the •singing of “Jesu, Lover of My Soul, ex-service men placed wreaths on. the war shrine, after which the Anzac hymn “Father, King Immortal” was sung, followed by the solo “Abide with Me” and “The Last Post.” The ceremony concluded with the playing cl Chopin’s Funeral March by the organist.

Ait a procession through the Anzac graves at Watton-on-Thames, Sir James Allen, who was accompanied, by the New Zealand commanders. Generals Russell and Chaytor, thanked the people of Walton, for their care of the graves and. the kindness shown to New Zealand boys in England, which wa,s remembered with great thankfulness by their mothers and the people of New Zealand.

SERVICE! AT SHANGHAI. PEKING, April 2f>. In, the presence of forty Australians this morning Surgeon-Captain, W. E. O'Hara and Captain A. \V. Cook, who were on Gallipoli, laid an Anzac wreath on the war memorial monument at Shanghai. IN AUSTRALIA. DAY OF SOLEMN REMEMBR ANCE. SYDNEY. April 20. Anzac Day was celebrated throughout the Commonwealth as a day of solemn remembrance. Sports meetings in all States were postponed. The weather in Sydney was fine and dull. The city was very quiet, it being more like Sunday than a public holidav. All races and most sports meetings were postponed to, enable the day to be observed with due solemnity. All the public buildings displayed flags at half-mast.

Special services were held in all suburbs .and the day was marked in, the city bv >a, procession o,f the remnants of regiments which |>artioi patted in the Great War fhrough the streets to the Town Hall, where a, memorial service wa.s held.