ANZAC MEMORIES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 123, 24 April 1936, Page 9

ANZAC MEMORIES

TRADITIONS OF ANNIVERSARY. SERVICES IN SCHOOLS. “We Shall Remember Them”. . . . In the passage of years since the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps stormed the shell-torn heights of Gallipoli and won everlasting eminence among the world’s feats of heroism by their gallantry, the observance of the Anzac anniversary has become a traditional part of our national life. To-morrow twenty-one years have elapsed—a generation—since the first Anzac Day, and though to-day its rich adventure may not excite so vividly the imagination as in the immediate post-war period, yet its observance is none the less reverent, because it is a day sacred to memory. To-morrow, the services of commemoration will take place. The main assembly for this centre will be at the Showgrounds, but the secondary schools and a number of the primary schools in Palmerston North held brief observances, to-day. Other similar services will be held to-morrow morning. BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL. i BOARD CHAIRMAN’S ADDRESS. There was an impressive simplicity in the service held at the Boys’ High School this morning, representatives of the Board of Governors, Old Boys’ Association and Parents’ Association being present for the observance, at which the address was delivered by Mr J. A. Nash (chairman of the Board of Governors).

Following upon prayers led by the Rector (Mr J. Murray), the Scripture reading “David’s Lament Over Saul” (Samuel 11, Chap. 1, verses 17-27) was made by Mr T. R. Hodder (a member of the Board of Governors), the hymn “0 Valiant Hearts” preceding the address.

“It did not fall to the. lot of you boys to know of the horrors of the Great War through which the nations passed between 1914 and 1918,” stated Mr Nash, “but history provides that knowledge for you and you will have the opportunity of playing your part and doing your best to promote harmony and good fellows"hip in an endeavour to prevent war in the future. New Zealand played its part in the Great War. No less than 102.438 men went overseas to fight for the Empire and the cause of freedom and. justice. Of'that number 10,870 were killed in action and a further 7296 died of wounds and sickness. Besides this, 41,317 were wounded in battle and 498 held as prisoners of war. When we stop to think of these figures we realise the great wastage of the flower of New Zealand’s manhood, and we ask ourselves whether it was worth while. The answer is that they died in order that we might live.” After referring to the international situation of to-day, Mr Nash continued: “The monstrous paradox that because of the nobility of individual sacrifices war itself ennobles civilisation just explains the bitterness of those who came, back from the War. They saw at first-hand how much of the best in civilisation was sacrificed but, not becoming a new generation charged with the constructive tasks of peace, they could not escape from the weariness and disallusionment. “We know that a true Briton will always fight for his kith and kin, but why the necessity after all our men passed through in the Great War? Why not peace on earth and goodwill to all mankind? We have looked to tlie League of Nations to bring about that understanding. Peace is such a precious jewel that I would give anything for it hut truth. The tiniest Anzac commemoration will be the most vigorous enlistment of our own lives and capacities in the struggle between good and evil in peace as in war.” Air Nash concluded by quoting Laurence Binyon’s well-known lines, from “To the Fallen.” Subsequent to the address the school Roll of Honour of the seventy .old boys who made the supreme sacrifice was read by Air H. W. Kerr, and the hymn, “Lest \Ve Forget,” sung, the service in the assembly hall concluding with the National Anthem. The final act of observance was the placing of a wreath (the gilt of Air Shailer) at the foot of tfie Gallipoli oak (planted in 1916) in the school grounds, this ceremony being carried out by the prelects. A inarch past was then held. COLLEGE STREET SCHOOL. This morning the children of the College Street School gathered for their annual Anzac service, the proceedings opening with the singing of the National Anthem followed by the hymn, “0 God Our Help in Ages Past,” which was rendered very effectively by the children. Introducing the speaker (Major J. Alewett, M.C.), the chairman of the school committee (Colonel J. H. Whyte) stated that he was hilly qualified to talk on Anzac, having lost an arm while fighting for King and country. Alajor Alewett opened his address by referring to great events that had happened in the past; voyages of discovery. etc., and of the eaijy pioneers who braved unknown 'dangers to found the British Empire which, said the Major, was just line a great family, whose members, like an ordinary family, were loyal to each other. An expression of this loyalty was the response of the New Zealand and Australian soldiers to . the call of the Alother Country during 1914-18. Alter speaking on Anzac Alajor Alewett urged the children as they, grew older to be loyal to their Empire, to be faithful to their ideals, and to show the Anzac spirit. Air L. J. Plank (the 1 acting headmaster) read the Roll of Honour, following which the children placed with touching simplicity their floral tokens on the Memorial Tablet. The singing of the “Recessional” concluded the service. ANZAC CONCERT. The usual Anzac concert will he held at the Opera House to-morrow night at 8 o’clock. The programme includes talented artists from Wellington: The Poneke Quartette, conceited numbers and solos, comedy dancing duo and solo; Aliss A. AI. McDonald (songs) Master Allan Loveday (violin), and Gedson’s Aces (solos, trios, and concerted).- The proceeds are in aid ot the R-S.A. Graves Fund