A SOLDIER'S FUNERAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18963, 10 March 1925, Page 7

A SOLDIER'S FUNERAL.

Sir,—At the present time the construction tower of the " War Memorial Museum," dominating the Domain as it does, reminds us Aucklanders that we are paying ' our tribute of remembrance to the fallen. Apparently the building of this structure r is considered to bo all that is duo to otir B mighty dead: to .visibly honor the mass t relieves us of all obligation to honor any individual. This attitude was pathetically borne out on Monday, 2nd inst., when ' one more—Sergeant J. Biggar, M.M., — ? joined the " deathless army." Sergeant 5 Biggar served throughout, the South 0 African war, and, on the outbreak of the late war, left New Zealand with the Main Body. He served in Gallipoli from the landing to the evacuation, and in 1 Franco until the winter of 1917, when ho developed consumption. He was decorated for " bravery in the field " in 1916. Since j ho was invalided to New Zealand ho spent- practically tho whole of the time in * the Annexe shelters in the Domain. This ! gives us some, idea of what he hits suffered for his country. He had not a single relative in this country, and was buried 2 in the Soldiers' Cemetery by the Defenco 1 Department. Although, with this fine re* 1 cord of service behind him, he was not considered worthy of military honors at h;s burial. Quite a number of his old colli* rades at the front attended him to his , last resting place, and, without exception were deeply affected by the lack of con- ■ sideration shown bv the military authorities. At one tirno a gun carriage, a iir- . ing party, and a bugler were provided by ' the Permanent Artillery, but now, the war is long past, and not even a buglet attends to sound the last, post oyer the grave. Those who have yet to die , from the effects of their war service, and who have relatives in this country, do not, perhaps, want or require military honours at funerals, but in cases such as the above I certainly consider the .should see that every honor is shown. We mil-it; remember that the wastage of war has many years to run yet, and 10, forget services rendered so readily as has been done augurs ill for tho future welfare of I our nation. 2nd Lieut. R. A. Hendeiison.