LATE CAPTAIN RODGERS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLIX, Issue 13227, 13 August 1917, Page 1

LATE CAPTAIN RODGERS.

STC- LUKE'S MEMORIAL SERVICE

The esteem in which the late Captain Jesse Rodigers was held in Oamaru-, and his worth as a citizen, was shown in a. striking manner yesterday, when, members of the Oamaru Fire Briigattey -Oamaru Boating Club, Athletic Football Club, Returned Soldiers' Association, and numerous friends assembled at St. Luke's Church to attend the memorial service in his honor as a distinguished' soldier. The various organisations paraded at the Monument and marched to the Church, headed bv the 10th Regiment Band. The Church was crowded. Ven. Archdeacon Russell conducted an impressive service, preaching from Revelations 11, x: "Be thou faithful unto death." Captain Rodgers. forsaking the easy patli, had chosen noble self-sacrifice and devotion to duty, and the cross he had won was symbolic of greater honors than those conferred upon him by the Military authorities. His name would be spoken with affection, honor, and reverence. His ideals had always been those of the clean lived man whose hand was; put sturdily to whatever he attempted., and' who, having begun, did not draw back. As a footballer, rower, and fire-fighter he had won the admiration of-his fellows by his singleness of purpose and the earnest way he applied himself to anything he took up. As a son, playmate, and fellow-worker he had been faithful, and he was faithful to his. mates at the front, sticking to Sergeant D. F. Brown, and seeing to it that the latter's deeds were made known to headquarters. This and other splendid deeds had won for him the Military Medal and Military Cross. When it was heard how he had fallen it would-be worthily indeed. Life was' the sweeter that he had lived, death the brighter that lie had died, and heaven the happier for his presence. Let, -not a fleeting thrill of admiration bo his requiem, but let the message of his life, "be those faithful.unto death, be treasured among those remaining, and acted upon to the best ability of 1119 fellows. At the conclusion of the service, the National Anthem was sung, the Dead March in "Saul" was played by Mr F. C. Burrv, the organist, and "The Last Post"' w"as played by four members of the Band. _