A NEW ZEALANDER’S INSPIRATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18754, 6 January 1923, Page 10

A NEW ZEALANDER’S INSPIRATION

WAR HEROES IN PARLIAMENT. ;Fbou Oob Own Cobrebpondent.i LONDON, November 24. At the entrance to the House of Commons, the Prince of Wales unveiled a memorial “to the lasting memory and undying fame" of members and officers of both Houses of Parliament, and the sons of members .who fell in the war. One of the panels contains tiro name of James Ogilvie Grant, Earl of Seafkld, while classified among the sons of members of the House of Commons is the name of Private J. Nathaniel Williams Auckland, Bn., New Zealand Expeditions) y; Force. The memorial is the work of Sir Bertram Mackennal, who, in 1993, was elected the first overseas A.H.A. Sir Herbert Wield told, the assemb.ed company that the proposal to perpetuate the memory of those who were membeis of ©no or other of the Houses of Parliament and who gave their lives in the war, originated with the late Mr Cathcarl Wason, who-associated with himself a small committee, of which Lord Dosborough. Sir F. Banbury, Colonel Burn, and Sir S. Roberts wore members. A meeting was summoned and an appeal was issued to both Houses, in which the object was stated to be the erection of a monument within the precincts of the Palace of Westminster, not only to those members and officers of either House who fell in action or died on active service, but also the sons and grandsons of members and officers of both the Lords and Commons. Sir B. Mackennal’s design -jyafl the one selected. After the lapse of some time, and when the central portion of the monument was nearing completion, it was found that the sum subscribed was insufficient to carry out the scheme. At this tune the health of Mr Wason failed, and he became ho longer able to continue the work in which he had taken so much interest, and his death occurred shortly after. The committee was then reconstituted, and a further appeal was issued. "HAPPY WAS YOUR DEATH.” The memorial has been placed at the fop of the steps at the south end of Westminster Hall, immediately under the great window which looks out into Old Palace Yard. It extends for the whole width of the wall, tho screen of Caen stone being in part utilised and in part replaced. In. tho centre of the Gothic screen stands a winged figure representing the. Recording Angel. In her hands she bears an endless scroll, the symbol of eternity; and her wings are outspread so as to appear to shield the central panels of the monument. Above the figure is a pierced Gothic arch surmounted by a representation of St. George ns the patron saint of England; in tho niches below are the figures of the patron saints of Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, St. Andrew being in the middle. On the right and left of the centre panels are bronze figures symbolising Faith and Fortitude. In addition to tho names there ia inscribed an extract from the XIV Philippic of Cicero commemoruing the death in battle of the Consuls Hirtiua and Pansa, B.C. 43, of which the following is a translation: Happy was your death. You paid for your fatherland (he common debt that nil men owo to nature. So this fabric is reared, and the letters inscribed upon it, as eternal testimonies of your valour. Those who look upon your monument will never cease to tell of your deeds in words of gratitude. And ao instead of the mortality of human life you have obtained immortality. Except for the golden figure of St. George and the bronze figures of Faith and Fortitude, the memorial is carried out in white atone. Another memorial is to be placed in the House of Lords to the sons of Peers, whose names proved ao numerous that space could not be found for them on the memorial in the House of Commons.