FALLEN COLONIAL SOLDIERS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 17 June 1915, Page 5

FALLEN COLONIAL SOLDIERS.

SERVICE AT iST

PAUL'S.

£2$ IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY,

ITHE SPIRIT OF GREATER

BRITAIN

LONDON, June 16. The memorial service to the colonials at St. Paul's Cathedral was deeply impressive. There was a crowded congregation, which included relatives of the dead and 400 Australians and New Zealand wounded men from Weymoutb and Harefield Park. Some were on -crutches, some had limbs bandaged, and many were wearing hospital garments. Rows of khaki-clad soldiers filled the space under the dome, and the Australian and New Zealand flags were set above the choir. Lord Kintore represented the King and Colonel Steeathfield represented Alexandra. Those present »-'

eluded: Mr Bonar Law (Secretary/df. State for the Colonies), Sir George .&nd Lady Reid, the Hon. Thomas and Mvb Mackenzie (Agent&-Geaeral), Lord Xincolnshire, Sir E. and Lady Barcton, Admiral Gaunt, Lord Denman, Xady Patey, Lady Birdwpod, Lord and Xady Buckley, Lord Hawor-th Booth,, Lord Islington, Lord Plaraket, Sir James Mills, Lord Nivisoai, Lord and Lady Brassey, Lord Teninyson, La^y Daj*nley, Lady King-Hall, Lady Button, the Marchioness >of Linlithgowj ;Mr Collins, Mr PaJliser, 6ivil servants, "Imperial adxoinistrators, army jtnd naval officers, traslness insn and Lord Mayor ami skeriiEs.

The Dean, of St. Paul's was .assisted by the Bishop ctf London. -Eitfe-eerviee began with the hymn, "Brief life is here ouar ..poriaan," and after Psalms 23 and 130 tfihe -anthem, (Spbhr's) "Blessed Departed" was rendered. The Rev. W. Bede>y, sub-dean, .lately of New. Zealand, read the lesson, "The raising .«f Lazaaras."," St. -TJidhn 11. After the singing of the hymn '?Rock of Ages/ & qpsteiil Litany -<w&& intoned.

The Archbishop ~ihe • sermon, taking as his text the thirteenth verse of £he Siififceanth Chapter ■of St. John: "Greater love hathrao l man than this: that a man lay/down his life for his friend." The Archbishop said they met for the *very sacreid -purpose of thanking God for the .-spleridid > devotion of their 'brethren "from Australia and New Zealand. The feat of April 25 had never !>eeii 'outshone and seldom equalled. The picture of the perils of the landing sand" the: 'dauntless gallantry of the "brave 'men showed them storming the "heights and holding on afterwards. Their deeds became part of ike Umpire* 'heritage for ever and they were deeds more splendid and inspiring -when it was remembered they were mat the achievements of some veteran corps, vbut -of men whoa few months before were'civilians in the townships ©f Australia and "New Zealand.

The Archbishop -continued: Who would have thought -when the young nations were implanted in the southern seas that a imndreQ years: later they would cross the seas., share;in ■ the Empire burden of a world-wide war, be disciplined under tfoe Shadow of the Pyramids and make their 'first onset on the Plains of Troy? These rthings they had done. Fearful would be the cost, but the great roll of drums, and the Dead March to-uigkb \woulii :as€rerberate with the thanks of the Motherland to the farthest limits of the Empire. God give us grace to bear ourselves as a united people, fhatwe may build out of this wdtfcer of pain. and strife a nobler habitation to which the honor and glory of every nation will add something distinctive.

The service closed with the hymn "Now the laborer's task is over," which was sung kneeling. A -military band played the Dead March in Saul, which was answered from the end of the nave by the buglers giving the Last Post, and the National Anthem terminated the service.

The Times, referring to the memorial service, says: "We hold the Australians and New Zealanders :in special pride for the proof given that the spirit of Greater Britain is undiminished. Every advice from the Dardanelles only adds to our admiration for their audacious, constant, and steady valor under conditions of which the danger and difficulties are -only beginning to be realised.