MEMORIAL TO SOLDIERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17956, 5 December 1921, Page 8

MEMORIAL TO SOLDIERS.

UNVEILING AT DEVONPORt! OLD BOYS OF THE SCHOOL. IMPRESSIVE' .CEREMONY. A memorial to old boys of the Devonport School who lost their lives in the late was unveiled yesterday afternoon by Mr. G. W. Murray, a member of the Education' Board. There was a large gathering of residents and visitors, including many parents and other relatives of deceased soldiers. The Mayor, Mr. H. 8. W. King, and members of the Borough Council, were among those present. JThe school children were grouped in the front under the headmaster, Mr. J. Armstrong', with a number of returned soldiers in uniform and civilian attire forming a square. The memorial is in the form of a granite column mounted on a concrete pedestal. 'It stands in a prominent position in the schctol playground t surrounded by a rockery and flower garden constructed by present-day scholars. On the stone is inscribed the names of 86 former pupils who fell in the war, together with the motto " Honour their memory," particularly chosen for observation by cthe rising generation. , . , Tho proceedings opened with the singing of the National Anthem, following which Archdeason Hawkins offered up a prayer. The memorial was draped with the Union Jack, and at a signal from Mr. Murray tho flag was lowered by two holders of the Victoria Cross, Lieutenants O. R. G. Bassett and R. S. Judson, the tribute of respect they thus paid to fallen comrades adding to the impressiveness of the occasion, Following this, a silence of 20 seconds was observed. The Last Post having been sounded on the bugle, many wreaths were placed at the foot' of the column by bereaved parent* and on behalf of the school children and teachers, and tho Borough Council. The wreath from the girls' school was deposited by Miss Valentine, a grand-daughter of Mr. Rowland Hill, an Indian Mutiny veteran, now a resident of Devonport. The singing of suitable hymns was led by the combined choir of the local'churches, the accompaniment* being played by an orchestra of some 40 performers under Mr, Frank Qribbon. Mr. Murray spoke of the lessons to be learnt from the war, and brief addresses in a similar strain were delivered by the chairman of the School Committee, Mr? F. E. Mason, the Mayor, and the headmaster. ' • „ In connection with the memorial, a roll of honour to contain the names of some 530 ex-scholars who left New Zealand for the battlefields, is in course of preparation and will be placed in the school buildings. ____________