WALTON WAR GRAVES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21520, 17 June 1933, Page 11

WALTON WAR GRAVES

ANZAC DAY CEREMONY PROPOSED CHURCH MEMORIAL [from our. own correspondent] LONDON, May 12 For the first time in several years fine weather ruled for Walton's Anzac Day memorial service, and a large and reverent crowd did homage to the memory of New Zealand's fallen. The installation of a public address system was a successful and pleasing innovation at this year's ceremony, which once again took place round the New Zealand graves in Walton cemetery. There was a parade from the Church Hall, assembled by Mr. George W. Ross, and led by Captain P. B. Garrett. Subsequently the choir , and clergy taking part went in procession from the parish church to the New Zealand section of the cemetery. Colonel Bernard Myers—formerly commandant of the Mount Felix Hospital, through which 27,000 wounded and invalid New Zealand men passed—represented the High Commissioner for New Zealand. The clergy and ministers who joined in the service were the Revs. R. M. Pattikoii Muir (vicar), Dr. W. D. Maxwell (Presbyterian), R. Parkinson (Methodist), and Pastor S. Ray Smith, (Baptist). Appropriate hymns and prayers were given and following the laying on of wreaths a brief address was delivered by Colonel Myers. After thanking the people of Walton fpr the continued interest they displayed in the memory of the New Zealand forces, Colonel Myers paid a special tribute to Captain Garrett, who, he said, bad been a most loyal friend to New Zealand. Captain Garrett had conceived the splendid idea of a memorial being placed in Walton's old parish church, which had commemorated so many historical events. A letter had been received by Captain Garrett from the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association,. intimating that the necessary sum had been collected and was to be forwarded. Gramophone records of suitable music and of the "Last Post" and the "Reveille" wero broadcast by the public address system. The arrangements for the service were capably undertaken by the Walton branch of the British Legion.