ANZAC DAY SERVICE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20433, 13 June 1928, Page 10

ANZAC DAY SERVICE.

at WALTON-ON-THAMES. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, May 2. Lieut-Colonel Bernard Myers represented the High Commissioner at Walton-on-Thames on Anzac Day, when a service was held at the graves of the New Zealanders in the church cemetery. A procession was formed on the vicarage lawn led by the surpliced choir and followed by the vicar (the Rev. W. Kemp Bussell), the Rev. B. A. Hurd Barley (Wesleyan minister), a number of cxService ’nen, the local Boy Scouts, the women’s section of the British Legion, and the Girl Guides. The service was conducted by the vicar, assisted by the Rev. Hurd Barley. After the singing of the hymn “ On the Resurrection Morning,” and prayers, an address was delivered by Colonel Myers, who during the war was head of the New Zealand hospital. He said the High Commissioner for New Zealand had unavoidably been prevented from attending. Being there that day reminded him of exactly 13 years ago that month, when, in company with others representing the New Zealand Contingent Association, they visited Walton and came to the conclusion that they had at last found a spot that would be suitable to found the first New Zealand war hospital. That hospital grew from 100 beds to just 2000. To meet Mr Bussel was a pleasure for he was one of the first he met 13 years ago, and his words were an inspiration. He never let them down, and there was no kindness that could be done which he ever failed to perform. Sacred memories came back to him as he looked at the names on tiic graves. Their spirit was still them. The New Zealanders came as strangers, and tin? people of Walton opened their houses and their pockets, and, more than all, gave them the best from their hearts. He received hundreds of letters from parents and other relatives of such men in thanks for the great generosity of the people of Walton. Walton was a sacred place to them. Colonel Myers laid a wreath on the graves from the High Commissioner and Captain Garrett one on behalf of the British Legion. The “ Last Post ” was sounded, and the service concluded with the singing of the Anzac hymn and the National Anthem.