PREPARATIONS AT WESTMINSTER.

Marlborough Express, Volume L, Issue 97, 26 April 1916, Page 5

PREPARATIONS AT WESTMINSTER.

IN MEMORY OF FALLEN

HEROES

(Received April 25, 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 25. T'ne great event which is written deep in Australasian- history under the date of ApriL-25th will be celebrated by a rehpous ceremony at Westminster Abb'jy., That venerable building lias been closely associated With every rcreat national incident

t since the Norman William was j j crowned there. Its vaulted roofs have witnessed State funerals, public thanksgivings, and coronations, besides routine daily services, for 800 years. To-day's great religions service will touch the furthest fibres of the Empire. Tho first anniversary of the Australians and Ne.y Zealanders landing on Gallipoli will be devoted to honoring the memory pf those heroes who fell in the campaign and thus opened anew and wonderful chapter in Australasia's record. The Gallipoli fighting was so full of stirring and tragic incidents that for days there have been signs of a popular desire to pay a tribute to those who gave their lives in the Empire's service. Another incentive to be present is»thc prospect of seeing many of the actual heroes who returned from the land of death and slaughter. Of Australians and Neu Zealanders now in Britain nearly 2000 will participate in the .service. Many arc convalescent and some have qtiite recovered. Of those present over 500 will he drawn from Monte Video. 400 from Abbey wood, 200 from Horseferry Road, and 200 from such hospitals as Hare-field. Tho New Zealanders under Major Dawson will detrain at Temple Station a.n«i parade on tho Embankment. The Australians under Lieut.-Colonel Johnstone, and a battalion helonging to AJiheywbod and Monte Video, will ar.rivo at Waterloo Station , a cross Waterloo Bridge, and combine with the Ne.v Zealanders at "Kingsway. The procession will march by way of the Strand and Whitehall to the Abbey. Many Ar^lo-Australiaus will be accommodated at the windows and on the roofs of the Victoria, Queensland, :md the rest of the Australian and New Zealand offices. Sir Thomas Mackenzie' and his staff have already moved to these new premises. The arrangements at the Abbey are already complete. Massed bands and 000 fit! men of the Australian contingent will bo accommodated in the north transept. The New Zealanders will enter the Abbey at Poet's Corner, and occupy the south transept. They will find themselves among the memorials of England's most noted men, on every hand reminders, of those iwhose •vritings have .stirred the imagination and patriotism o.f the race from Chaucer to Dickens.