ANZAC DAY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17198, 19 June 1916, Page 8

ANZAC DAY.

LONDON’S WELCOME AND TRIBUTE. THE ABBEY SERVICE. AN ABIDING MEMORY. [From Our Correspondent.] LONDON, May 4. Ansae Day has come and gone, but with us in London, at any rate, it null lie an abiding memory. It would, indeed, be difficult to forget the day if it had contained'nothing beyond London s welcome to the gallants of Gallipoli, and the heart-stirring commemoration service in Westminster Abbey. Apart from these things, however, many things happened which will live in the memory. The clerk of the weather, tlio Germans and the Sinn Feiners conspired together to render Ansae Day ever memorable. The clerk of the weather provided a day of absolutely glorious sunshine, the Germans raided us by air and sea, and the Sinn Feiners broke out into open rebellion. Also, to further mark the day, Parliament commenced the much debated secret session. It was indeed “a great day ”--a day, too, of great happenings, lint no other events could mar the success and impressiveness of Anzac Day as wo lived it through in London, and its incidents are as little likely to be forgotten by Londoners as they are likely to fade from the memories of the men of Anzac who found themselves the heroes of the hour. And Londoners rejoiced at the opportunity of showing their pride in their kinsmen from the Antipodes, Of that there can be no question'. Probably never has the heart of the Empire’s capital been more deeply stirred than when it welcomed the heroes of Anzac, and at the same time gave vent at last to the long-pent feelings which have been accumulating during, these dark and troublous times. The city’s millions had been waiting for. some opportunity to indulge their high emotions together, and Anzac Day gave them a golden opportunity to do so, and at the some time prove to the heroes of the day that their memorial is already inscribed' in men’s hearts. THE UNSEEN PRESENCE. Londoners eagerly seized the longed for chance to relieve their stifled feelings, but the vast crowds which mobilised to assist- in the celebration of Anzac Day showed no disposition to “ maffick.” Of really light-hearted gaiety there was little or none.. Everybody seemed to realise most, completely that they were, gathered together not only to welcome living heroes, but to do honour to the dead'. So there was an undercurrent of sadness mingled with the pride and gladness of London’s welcome to the glorious fighting men from the soul hern seas. If seemed as though the crowds felt the presence of those who had given their lives in so nearly achieving the impossible in far-off Gallipoli. Possibly many of them recalled the memorable verses written in the trenches by Lance-Corporal Joseph Lee

AYlwsp t lk* bells shall rock ana rir.j. When tils shrill flutter frsc. And the choirs shall sing “God Save the’King!” THEY SHALL BE THERE TO SEE. "When the* brazen bands shall play. And the silver trumpets blow, Ann .the soldiers coma To the luck of drum— THEY SHALL BE THERE ALSO. “They’ - ’ —the vanished comrades of the men London welcomed' on Tuesday, April 25 - were certainly present, in'tlie minds of the crowd, and completely banished .anything "like hank holiday merriment-. Yet, as the Australian and New Zealand contingents, every man of whom had been wounded or-invalid-ed, marched to and from the Ala'wych rendezvous, through lanes of spectators standing in serried patience, the pride of Empire found its many voices, f lags were waved, thero were fusillades of cheering, men stood bare-headed, flowers were cast down from windows and' balconies. No warmer greeting, indeed, could have been given to the Anzacs whose march from the Strand to the Abbey was a triumphal progress, the. memory of which must remain •with them to their last hours on earth, as will those of tho service at the Abbey. This was by far the most moving and impressive ceremony that lias taken place in that aucicnt lane within the memory of living man. if. indeed, it was not. the most impressive that even the historic Abbey with its records of a thousand years has ever known. As a writer in the ‘‘Post” declared: '‘No nobler requiem have soldiers ever known; and the comrades of the fallen, who filled the shrine of England’s highest and most historic memories, cannot bitt have felt that henceforward West minster Abbey is theirs even as it was never before. Anzac Day has written an inscription on the Abbey rolls which will endure as long as the rails themselves.”

IX THE ABBEY. Out of the crowded streets, bright with warm sunshine, into the still shadows of the Abbey, with its memories and associations of a thousand years of English history, came a great company that tilled the nave and the transepts—a company wearing the King's khaki; men of British blood, but not of English birth; men of lands undiscovered when the fane in which they assembled was reared: men of Australia and Now Zealand who have answered the call of the Motherland, and who met to “ unite in praise and thanksgiving for those our brothers who died in Gallipoli for their King and Empire in the high cause of Freedom and Honour.” Most, of them stood within the sacred walls for the first, time, but they were truly “at Home," for all around them were memorials of the great men who built up the Empire for which these khaki-clad stalwarts have shown themselves willing to make the supreme sacrifice. who have written indelibly on tho Abbey’s scroll of fame tho word “Anzae,” and have raised a monument as noble and enduring as any there. Here were the men—what is left of them—who have written that name. Hundreds came from the hospitals—some wheeled in on stretchers, or borne in on the arms of comrades; others with heavy white bandages on their heads. These, with their uniformed nurses, filled tho foremost places in either transept. n.Ad tho blue overalls and scarlet ties of the hospital uniform made a significant break in tho prevailing note of khaki-brown. Another note of colour was struck by a magnificent wreath of arum lilies and roses hanging on the chancel rail, and bearing the inscription: “To the honour and immortal memory of the heroic dead of the 29 vh Division, from their New Zealand comrades in arms. Gallipoli, 1816.” For the rest there was nothing but the chancel lights' to break the grey shadows of tho aisles, except where here and there a shaft of sunlight struck like a golden sword through the windows. THE SERVICE. Whilst the congregation assembled the Australian Band, conducted by Sir Frederick Bridge, played Handel’s “ Largo." As tho strains died away the organ broke forth into the strains of the National Anthem, and the great v*ost. doors were opened to admit the procession of clergy and choir and the King and Queen—the King in the khaki uniform of a field-marshal, and the Queen in black. As soon ns. the royal couple had taken their soats in the sacrarium, the appointed service began. It opened with Dr Walsbant How’s hymn. “ For All the Saints Who From Their Labours Rest,” sung to Sir Joseph Barnby’s music. This was followed by the Lord’s Prayer and the collects and

Wesley’s anthem, “Ascribe unto the Lord,” after winch tile Lean, facing the congregation, spoke as follows:

“ Let us now unite in praise and thanksgiving for those our brothers who died at Gallipoli for their "King and Empire, in the high cause of Freedom and Honour. More especially do we commemorate the names of the following troops who took part- iu the land- N i»g

Australian lst-Bth Brigades •of Infantry, lst-16tb Regiments of Light Horse; lst-.'ird Brigades of Artillery; with Engineers, Army Service, Medical, Veterinary, Ordnance, Naval Bridging Corps. t Now Zealand—Divisional' and Infantry Brigades Headquarters; the Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, Ot.'.gj Battalions; with Field Artillery, Engineers, Medical and Army Service Corps. All these fought most valiantly. Their deeds will be remembered evermore. Their memorial is already inscribed in men's hearts. In. future ages the sons of our Empire will seek to emulato the imperishable renown of their daring and bravery. Wo arc resolved that, by God's gracious favour, our brothers shall not have laid down their lives in vain. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a mail lay down his life for his friends.” “ The eternal God is thy dwellingplace, and underneath ,aro the everlasting arms.’’ “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed in Thee, because he trusteth in Thee,” The Doxology having been sung by the congregation, the Dean offered the following special prayers: “0 Eternal Father, draw nigh to Thee amid the memorials of (.'Teat. Britain’s most illustrious dead, and in this church where our Kings and Queens are crowned, we dedicate to Thy great glory the memory of our clear brothers departed. We praise Thy lioly Name for the gift of their matchless courage; crown, we beseech Thee, with Thy loving mercy the offering of tbeir brave lives; grant unto them Thy ccental peace, and the blessing of Thy perfect comfort unto all that mourn. We ask it in the name of Him who died and rose again for us all, Thy Son and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. “Grant, 0 Lord, that wo, being strengthened by Thy grace for the work of completing that which remaius over of our dear brothers’ task, may ever' servo Thee truly in the Faith of Him who is our Resurrection and our Life, and may fight manfully unto our lives’ end in the defence of the heritage of our.liberty, and for the .triumph of a righteous cause, through the same, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. “ Almighty God. our heavenly? Father, as we. pray unto Thee for future mercies, so we now render unto Thee our thanksgiving for those wo have, already receivedfor the unity of the Empire, the free-will offering of her sons and daughters, .the courage and loyalty of our soldiers and sailors, the affection and devotion between tho dominions overseas and the Mother Country; the patient and ’ self-denying earnestness of our people. And wo beseech Thee that we and oil Thy servants who are united with us in comradeship and alliance may with thankful hearts serve Thee in holiness.and pureness of living; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.’ • i Then came as n hymn, sung to the familiar tune of “'Eternal Father, Strong to Save, ’ Kipling s Recessional, with its haunting “ Lest we forget, lest we forget.” The Dean then pronounced the Benediction, and as his voice diod away came a sharp roll of drums, and then three thousand voices joined in singing with fervour the National Anthem. Then—for tho space perhaps of ten second:; a deep hush fell upon tho Abbey. Then from out the stillness rose the plaintive, thrilling note of bugles sounding the soldiers’ requiem, the “Last Post." end an unforgettable ceremony came to its appointed close NEW ZEALAND REVIEW-

After the parade and service at tile Abbey the New Zealand contingent returned to their depot at Hornchurch, in Essex—a place which Zeppelins have often approached during their raids on the Eastern counties, but have thus far failed to locate with their bombs. There the men were renewed by their old friend General Birdwood, who also presented Distinguished Conduct Medals to fifteen New Zealanders who had won that distinction in Gallipoli. The gallant General, who is wonderfully popular with all “ Anzncs,” received a grtat welcome, both from the troops, and from the thousands of civilians who turned up to seo the review. After filie review and presentation the High Commissioner addressed the troops. In the course of his remarks Sir Thomas Mackenzie said people considered that, as the Anzac soldiers were not successful in their enterprise, only loss had resulted. That was a profound delusion. They could not discuss the propriety or otherwise of the lino of action taken by the Imperial Government, but tfcey did know that the bringing together of so many men representing the Mother Country and the Dominions in a great enterprise of war had developed a mutual friendliness and cemented a bond which nothing could sunder either now or in years to come. In one respect New Zealand seemed to have discovered the cloud of sinister events earlier than the Home Government. During 1!>09-1(), .while those guiding affairs in the centre of the Empire thought that eventiling made fo: the maintenance of peace, New Zealand, on the other hand, was quite sure that the time had not arrived for beating swords into ploughshares. So New Zealand, in common with Australia, set about the passing of an Act to compel people to train for defence. "We were rather amazed.” the High Commissioner continued, "to find afterwards that while we —13,000. miles away—perceived what was threatening, those entrusted with the destinies of the Empire—only SCO miles awinvfrom the seat of danger—did not appear to think that anything could go wrong. Wo are to bo consulted with regard to terms of peace. We hope to be consulted also—and that very soon—regarding questions which are of common ‘ interest within the' Empire. We, for our part, are intensely in earnest on the point that there shall be adequate defence for the British Empire, and this can only be dope with land and sea forces commensurate with pur enormous responsibilities. The larger questions of trade will no doubt engage the attention of our ablest,men, and wo, for our part, keenly desire to increase our trading relationships within the Empire. All they require is to lie told what is necessary to win the war. and they will respond to the uttermost limits of their power and abilities. We in New Zealand hold' that the first duty of citizenship is to defend our country and maintain it for those who will come after us.” The High Commissioner then called for cheers for General Birdwood. The General objected, but Sir Thomas, who informed the spectators that lie was not uuder Sir William’s orders, easily prevailed, because the troopers and the public alike were only too anxious to show what they thought of tlie “Soul of Anzac.” And their effort was. entirely creditable to their enthusiasm and their vocal powers. Of course, this meant a speech from the General—a speech meant simply to be a little plain talk to the men in khaki whom Sir William affectionately called “boys” and

“my lads.” It resolrcd itself into a cheery little sermon on duty ami discipline, graced with many little tributes to the lighting prowess of the Anzacs, and' spiced with sundry soldiers’ tales concerning Gallipoli heroes and others. The burden of the latter part of tho gallant General’s speech was that the New Zealanders should take every hoed against the allurement of the cup that

inebriates, and honour the vronenkind and protect the “ kids ” of other land* as they would their own people. Then, having issued his caution, the General, in effect, withdrew it, for ho intimated that ho was perfectly certain that no Anzac would do otherwise than he should do if he found himself in a village from which tho natural protectors of the women and children had gone to do their duty to their country.

Pride in his Anzacs was, however, the keynote of General Birdwood’s address. He is immensely proud of them, and they in turn idolise the General. Pride in tlio Anzacs does net, however, blind General Birdwood £0 the merits and virtues of other troops who shared with them the privations and horrors of Gallipoli. He paid tribute also in the warmest terms to the 29th and 4‘2nd Divisions, and to the Nava] Brigade. And that liis sentiments regarding these units were fully shared by the New Zealanders present was amply probed by the burst of hearty cheering which greeted his reference to ihem. i

TRIBUTE TO .THE 29'>h DIVISION. Reference to the 29th reminds me that from the depot there had r?ono forth earlier in the day a telegraphic message signed by Major Dawson and addressed to all units of the 29th Divisou which took part in the great'and gallant struggle of a year ago. It was framed in these words: “On this, the anniversary of our great adventure, may ivc , the New Zealanders, tender cur tribute to tho immortal and glorious valour of you,, whom we arc proud to claim as cur comrades in arms?’’ The New Zealanders sent also a bouquet of roses to their King’s daughter, Princess Mary, on tho occasion of hor birthday. MESSAGE FROM NEW ZEALAND. Tho Prime Minister of New Zealand addressed the following message to Sir Thomas Mackenzie, which he communicated to the parade:— “Convey to all our brave New Zem land soldiers at to-day’s gathering hearty good wishes. Their friends and comrades of tho Dominion are proud of their gallant deeds, and a hearty welcome awaits them on their return.* Express New Zealand’s warmest congratulations to those who afe to bo presented with medals.—Massey.”