"HOW I SPENT ANZAC DAY."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20252, 11 May 1929, Page 5 (Supplement)

"HOW I SPENT ANZAC DAY."

PRIZE-WINNING ENTRIES. Prizes in the Anzac Essay competition, " How I Spent Anzac Day," have been awarded as follows: PHYLLIS BELLINGIIAM, 36 Gladstone' Road, Parnell (age 16). JOAN HILL, Huapai (.age 12). HUGH FLEMING, Grande Vue Road, Manurewa (age 14). JIM MIDDLETON, Buckland, (age 8). Consolation Prizes: Joan Barker, Wellsford (ago 11); Gordon Mclvee, c.0., Mrs. Coleman, Gill Street, New Plymouth (age 10). Gold Stars: George Marchant, Gerald Souster, ]\1.8.G., Tom Phillips, Jack Gordon, M.8.G., Rogers Naylor. Silver Stars: Mavis Armilago, Thelma Teague, Ada Woods, Madge Dixie, Sissy Stark, Janio Brewster, Primrose Self, Doris and Shirley Brown, Una Henderson, Sheila Lee, Joan Sisam, Mario Blomfield, Olwyn Rutherford.

This competition proved one of the most interesting wo have held for, a long time past, and a largo number of entries was received. Most of those who wrote described Church services and other forms of commemoration, while a few girls and boys evidently spent the day playing games without any thought of its special significance. Tho general tone of the essays was high, however, and after reading tho entries it was quite evident that our boys and girls fully realise that Anzac Day is a day that should be set apart from ordinary routine of life, and observed in a spirit of reverence and thanksgiving.

Tho prize-winning entries, printed below, are well worth reading, as showing tho attitude of children of all ages toward Anzac Day. The best essay of all, to my mind is that of Joan Hill, who unable to attend any formal service, thought of a beautiful and original way of entering into the true spirit of tho day. Read her essay, boys and girls, and learn a lesson of love and tender thought for others that must,have touched the heart of every man and woman who receiver! a visit from this littlo country girl 011 Anzac Day! FLOWERS OF REMEMBRANCE. By JOAN HILL, (Ago 12). As there were no Anzac services near that I could attend, and' no war memorial or monument in Huapai to put flowers on, I thought of a different way by which I could commemorate Anzac Day. I brought to mind everybody round about here who went to the war, and those who lost sons at the war. My mother said that I could have all tho nicest flowers in the garden and also as much rosemary as 1 liked. I made liico bunches and for each one mado a

little flag on which I painted " Anzac Day."

Early in the morning I set off down tho road with my precious basket. My thoughts were about those to whom Anzac Day means so much.

The day was in keeping with , Anzac Day as ifc was dull, cold and rainy. Jn fact it was so wet in the afternoon that I could not take all the bunches of flowers but I did so the next day. It is wonderful how flowers cheer people and at every house I was greeted with smiles and many thanks for the flowers and kind thoughts of Anzac. As it happened, most of the places where I went had rio gardens, so the flowers were very welcome. Later when I got home . I did my school lessons and then fed my numerous pets. By that time it was dusk and so ended my Anzac Day. A SCHOOL SERVICE. By HUGH FLEMING, Manurewa, (Age 11 years). On Anzac morning I wakened at about a quarter to seven and rose immediately. After breakfast I cycled to the station to catch the 7.45 for town, for, although it was a school holdday the whole of the Auckland Grammar School boys were going to parade in honour of those who fought and died at Gallipoli. On arriving at the school I entered the big hall, which was already crowded with boys. In the gallery a number of parents, friends and Old Boys had gathered to commemorate with us those gallant lads at Gallipoli. A,bell rang. Immediately oyer the whole assembly a hush fell. The headmaster, Mr. Mahon, and Sir George Richardson, the chairman of the Board; Professor Thomas, and a number of oldboys and soldiers entered and took their seats on the platform. Mr. Mahon then read an appropriate chapter from the Bible and we all stood while tho school prayers were said. After a short address by the Headmaster we sang tho hymn Recessional. j General Richardson then rose and de- : livered an address about tho tombs of the Unknown Warriors in Britain and ' France. He followed this with an «ic- i count of the preparations and landing j of our soldiers at Anzac. The hymn. • " 0 Valiant Hearts," was sung by the 1 school, followed by the National Anthem, j We all hastened away to our company ; parade grounds where we fell in and j marched to the lower playground. Hero the battalion was drawn up across the field. We saluted the colours then advanced to the monument where the I "Dead March" was played by selected boys. The two armed companies presented i arms, while the other two stood fit attention and the Last Post was sounded by the trumpeters of the band. The battalion now retired to the former position, saluted the colours again and marched off the ground and was duly dismissed.

As I went home I realised more than ever what a noble sacrifice had been made by our brave men. I resolved then, always to cherish and revere their memory, 'and always to do my best to keep Anzac day a sacred and holy day, and not a holiday.