IN MEMORIAM

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 296, 12 November 1934, Page 7

IN MEMORIAM

MELBOURNE’S WAR SHRINE.

DEDICATED BY DUKE

IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) MELBOURNE, Nov. 11.

The weather, which had been so unkind to Centenary events of the week, relented somewhat this morning when the Duke of Gloucester dedicated the Shrine of Remembrance,. Victoria’s Great War memorial. The sun shone occasionally' through heavy clouds upon the most remarkable assemblage ever witnessed in Melbourne. Hours before 11 a.m. crowds began to arrive, until when the ceremony began the approaches to the shrine lawns, the St. Ivilda and Domain Roads, were packed with a living mass estimated at more than 300,000. Massed bands opened the proceedings with hymns. At 10.45, the GovernorLord Huntingfield, with the Duke of Gloucester and party, arrived, entered the sanctuary, and assembled with bowed heads before the Rock of Remembrance awaiting the eleventh hour, when the “Eye of Light” shone across the Stone of Remembrance. Emerging in solemn procession the Royal party proceeded to the dais, where the first address was delivered by General Chauvel, chairman of the shrine trustees, the Premier, Sir Stanley Ai’gyle, following. In has dedicatory speech the Duke said:—“This noble shrine is erected as a token of our gratitude to those who fought for us. It is intended not only a symbol to be seen by all who come to this great city but as a reminder also that the sacrifice of those men and women lays a duty on us who follow. They fought to secure for the world the blessings of peace. It is for us to seek to repay their devotion by striving to preserve that peace. To the glory of God and in grateful memory of the men and women of this State who served in the Great War I dedicate this shrine.” Before inviting the Duke to dedicate the shrine, Sir Stanley Argyle read Kipling’s specially written ode, the first verse being:—

So long as memory, valour, and faith endure. Let these stones witness through the years to come How once there was a people fenced secure Behind great waters girdling a far home.

The six verses describe the Australians’ war exploits, the final verse being :

Then they returned to their desired land, The kindly cities and plains where they were bred,. Having revealed their nation in the earth’s sight. So long as sacrifice and honour stand, And their own sun at the hushed hour shall light The shrine of these their dead.

Twenty-seven thousand troops of all units, including a large contingent of New Zealanders, assembled at various points before the ceremony. At a given signal they marched and converged near the shrine, marching 120 abreast. Then dividing, they formed a lane for the Royal party. While in the shrine the Duke laid on the Rock of Remembrance the King’s wreath. No other wreaths were presented until after the ceremony.

Throughout the afternoon there was a continuous stream of people bearing wreaths. Many in the vast assembly remained in the vicinty of the shrine until sundown.

“A monument of beauty, not a tomb; a sacrament and a prayer; a house of love that looks beyond the grave; and a memorial to sacrifices which we_ hope and believe have not been in _ vain”— these are the descriptions which have been applied to the Shrine of Remembrance. The dedication ceremony took the place of the usual Armistice Day service which is conducted each year at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. In colour and dignity and sincerity the service was unequalled in the history of the State.

“Let all men know that this_ is holy ground; this Shrine established in the hearts of men as on the solid earth commemorates a people’s fortitude and sacrifice. Ye therefore that come after give remembrance.

This inscription on the western wall of the inner Shrine beneath the great dome of the imposing building testifies the people’s acknowledgment of the war sacrifices of Victorians; amid a setting of sculpture in dark marble, massive lonic columns and majestic monoliths it is an epitaph which will remind future generations of the great events of 1914-1918.

Built at a cost of £260.000, the Shrine stands on an elevation at a bend on the famous tree-lined St. Kilda Road and on the fringe of the Botanical Gardens in such a position that it dominates the landscape for miles around. Though a mile from the city, its great great bulk looms imposingly in the view down Swanston Street, one of the main city thoroughfares; it is a landmark which can be seen from far out to sea; and from the surrounding hills it stands out conspicuously among the city’s acliitecture. Composed entirely of elaborated stone and marble, its walls and base are balnstraded with magnificent simplicity. Each parapet commands sweeping panoramic views of the city and the surrounding country; and on the walls above the terraces the names of the great battles in which the Australians fought are inscribed. Within the inner shrine are housed 42 caskets of bronze which contain the Books of Remembrance, the parchment pages of which are inscribed with manuscript records of the names of the Victorian soldiers and sailors who died during the war. Here also is the “King’s Book,” inscribed with the special message of His Majesty the King, “Let their names be for ever held in proud remembrance.”

“EYE OF LIGHT.” A calm religious atmosphere pei’vades the inner shrine. In the centre of the paved marble floor is the Rock of Remembrance, a plain slab of dark marble sunk below the pavement in such a manner that every head must bow to read the inscription which it bears, “Greater Love Hath No Man.” On this Rock of Remembrance each Armistice Day at 11 a.m. shines the “Eye of Light,” a shaft of daylight which gleams through an aperture which has been placed so scientifically in the dome that only on this day at 11 a.m. each year does the “Eye of Light” penetrate to the Rock of Remembrance.

Around the walls of the inner shrine space has been provided for eight sculptured sentinels—the Guardians of the Shrine—Love, Peace, Courage, Integrity, Faith, Strength. Brotherhood, and Honour. Beneath the floor is a

crypt to which two sets of stone stairs descend, and which contains the unit memorials of the Australian Imperial Forces, and the Royal Australian Navy. SERVICES IN SYDNEY.

OBSERVANCE AT CENOTAPH

SYDNEY, Nov. 11. . Armistice Day services were held throughout the day in the city and suburbs. The main service at the Cenotaph in the morning was attended by a huge crowd, ihose present including the Governor, (Sir Philip Game), the Premier (Mr B. S. B. Stevens), representatives of the State and Federal Parliaments, denominational leaders, and representatives of the naval, military, and air forces. An impressive feature of the service was the playing of the ceremonial music by the Band of the Grenadier Guards.

KING AT CENOTAPH.

THOUSANDS FOREGATHER

Received November 12, 9.20 a.m. LONDON. Nor. 11. Standing with liowed head at the Cenotaph. His Majesty the King em bodied the reverence of the peoples ot the Empire at the Armistice Day commomoration service, which was solemn and impressive, as in previous years. The crowd included thousands of women, mourning their sons and husbands.

Unusually clear reception marked the short-wave transmission of the Armistice Day service at tile Cenotaph, Whitehall, London, which was re broadcast by the National stations at 11 o’clock last night. Orders given to the troops taking up their positions were heard clearly, as was the playing of the band, the notes of Big Ben strik-ing-the hour, the singing and the remaining parts of the service.

SALES OF POPPIES,

FOR EX-SERVICEMEN

(British Official Wireless.) Received November 12. 11.15 a.m

RUGBY, Nov. 10. Armistice Day is usually set aside as an _ occasion for the public sale of artificial poppies made by wounded ex-servicemen in aid of the funds of their organisation. Poppy Day took place to-day and many thousands of voluntary workers were in the streets to sell the emblems which are universally worn.