IN HONOUR OF THE FALLEN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 24 November 1922, Page 4

IN HONOUR OF THE FALLEN

RICHMOND AND DISTRICT’S MEMORIAL TO THOSE WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR UNVEI'LING CEREMONY PERFORMED BY VISCOUNTESSJELLICOE AN IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY The war memorial at Richmond in honour of those soldiers from Richmond and district who made the supreme sacrifice in the Groat War, was unveiled by Viscountess Jellicoe at 6 o’clock yesterday afternoon in the presence of a large gathering of people. Seats were reserved on the platform for the relatives of the fallen soldiers. The Mayor of Richmond (Mr W. E. Wilkes) presided and there were also amongst those present Hon. W. W. Snodgrass, M.L.C., Mr H. Atmore, M.P., the Mayor of Nelson (Mr W. Lock), and Mr A. Gilbert, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce. '

The chairman extended a hearty welcome to her Excellency Viscountess JelJicoe, at the same ■ time regretting that circumstances' had prevented his Excellency Viscount Jellicoe (Governor-Gen-eral) from being present. They appreciated very sincerely her Excellency’s consideration in coming ’over herself, to perform the ceremony. Mr \Vi Ikes' explained that at the time the war'memorial was considered, the Y.M.C.-4-was about to commence operations in Richmond and it was felt they couldnqt do’better than to i build a permanent Y.M.C.A. as a war memorial. And hone bad regretted the that had been taken. Inside the ' building was a war memorial tablet hearing tho names of twenty brave men who hail given their, lives that others might live. Mr ’ Wilkes’,went on to say that their sympathy was with those who were mourning the loss of clear ones. Seals had been reserved for them on the platform, and they would be invited to enter the* building before the general public for the unveiling cereinony. Her Excellencyi thanked the people of Richmond very much for the honour conferred on her in asking her to open the War Memorial Hall. Her Excellency felt they would all regret that', his Excellency was unable to perform the ceremony. He had sent them sincere regrets and Was'just as disappointed as they were. Her Excellency read a telegram from his Excellency for the people of Richmond and district regretting his inability to be present to honour the gallant dead and asking lie); Excellency to express his sincere sympathy with those who had lost dear ones.

Her Excellency then declared the War Memorial building open. ■’ Inside the building, her Excellency said:—“To the glory of God and to the honour of the brave men who lost their lives in the war I now unveil this tablet.”

A short service was held .both outside and inside the building. Those taking part were the Revs. F. J. Daynes, J. R, Nelson and E. T. Jones.

After the unveiling ceremony the Rev. J. R. Nelson offered an impressive dedicatory prayer. ’ _ The memorial tablet is a fine piece of work. It is inscribed as follows ’

In undying memory of the fallen, dear to ns, 'who in the Great War 1914-1918, laid doivn their lives that Truth, Right, and Freedom might live. , R. G. COOKE A. W. CROPP C. H. CHARLIES T. L. FIELD 11. HORNER L. R. G. HAYCOCK 11. HAYCOCK V. J. P>. HUFFAM J,.-11 ALL E. A. INGRAM P. E. JESSOP G. C. JESSOP T. S: JOYNT F. M. LUSTY 0. LUSTY F..L. MILtER W. J. O’CONNOR H. IT. L. SIGGEKOW I. V. WINDLEBORN L. H. WINDLEBORN “They shall grow not old As we that are left grow old; Ago shall not weary them, Nor the years condemnAt the going dop'n of the bud And in the manning. Wo will remember them.'’

The gathering concluded with the Benediction, pronounced by the Rev. I*. J. Daynes. The building is a fine brick structure, solid, enduring ; n every way. It is situated in Cambridge street, next to the Institute, lie portion of the blnlding completed, includes a social room in which is placdd* the memorial tablet, a ladies’ rest room, a boys’ Bible class room and a billiard room. The building has been erected by Mr W. E. Wilkes, and the memorial tablet lias been executed by Mr M. Simpson. The Last Rost was sounded at tue conclusion of the ceremony.