Cromwell Soldiers' Memorial

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume 3536, Issue 3536, 1 May 1923, Page 5

Cromwell Soldiers' Memorial

The ceremonies in connection with the unveiling of the Cromwell Soldiers’ Memorial took place at Cromwell on Auzac Day in the presence of nearly 1000 residents from all parts of the district. The ceremony was esseiv daily memorial in character and the addresses given on the occasion were interspersed with appropriate hymns. The monument is a particularly handsome one. and worthy of the brave men it commemorates. It stands on an eminence at the confluence of the Kawarau and Clutha rivers right alongside the, bridge leading to the town. At whatever angle the monument is viewed from it stands out in bold relief against the grey hillsides or the blue sky. On the day of the unveiling bright sunshine lent additional splendour to this line ■ monument and added lustre to am occasion which should linger in the memories of both young and old for many years to. come. The monument is in the form of a pedestal surmounted by a full-sized marble figure of a soldier, fully equipped. The figure stands on a block of pure Italian carrera marble and is 6ft. high. The total height of the memorial is 26ft. and the dimensions of the base 12ft. Sin. square!. The block or column of marble is approached from the base by three steps and it boars the following inscription: "The Great War 1914-18. Erected in memory of the following Cromwell men who made the supreme sacrifice: —Capt. W .D. Jolly, Sergt. M. Fleming, V, McNulty, Privates C. Arthur, 11. Bowie, E. Barnes, W. Burrows, R. Fleming, W. Mitchell, J. Roe, A. Tidey, J. Tail, A. Waldron, and W. Winter.” Underneath are the following very appropriate words: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” The monument, which cost £575, w.as erected by Messrs Kingsland and Ferguson, Invercargill. The spot on which it stands has been cleared in preparation for putting it down in grass and the main approach is by a set of steps from the roadway.' At tine approach on each side of the steps a small rockery has been formed in which it is intended eventually to place a, number of alpine plants. The Mayor of Cromwell, Mr Di C. Jolly, performed the unveiling ceremony, giving in a few words the history of the undertaking. The prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication were given respectively by the Revs J. Byley (Pembroke) and W. P. Rankin (Cromwell) after which many beautiful wreaths were laid on the memorial by the citizens, the Women’s Patriotic Society, the school children, the Returned Soldiers’ Associat’n, and next-of kin of whom, together with returned soldiers, there were several present, and there were numerous tributes laid on by private sympathisers. The school children then sang the “N.Z.. Anthem,” after which, they saluted the Flag. Addresses were given by the Rev. W. P. Rankin, Rev. 11. C. Gant and Mr R. McGregor (Cromwell), Ensign Girling (S.A.), Rev. S. Stephens (Clyde), Air J. Smart, Chairman of the. Vincent Hospital Board, Mr J. Ritchie, deputy Chairman, Vincent County Council, Mr W. Black, mayor of Alexandra, and Mr F. D. Thomson, chairman, Wamaka Memorial Committee. Ensign Girling contributed the solo, “The Roll Call.” All the addresses were more or less of a patriotic character and bore testimony to the deeds of the heroic dead. The ceremonies were brought to a close by the playing of the “Last Post” by BandmasterJ. Gordon and by the singing of the National Anthem. The Alexandra Brass Band under Mr Gordon’s con-, ductorship was present and accompanied the singing.