FALLEN NEW ZEALANDERS

Otago Witness, Issue 3714, 19 May 1925, Page 23

FALLEN NEW ZEALANDERS

MEMORIAL AT CHUNUK BAIR. UNVEILING CEREMONY. CONSTANTINOPLE, May 13. There was almost a gala day at the Dardanelles and on the peninsula on the occasion of the unveiling of the Chunuk Bair memorial to the fallen New Zealanders, erected on Russell top. F'ive hundred pilgrims, including several ex-oombatants from everywhere in the Empire, arrived by the liner Ormonde. The Turkish authorities granted every facility, and the Governors of Gallipoli and Chunuk Bair attended the ceremony. A detachment of Gendarmie rendered the honours. Carts throughout the peninsula had been requisitioned to transport the visitors. There was a stiff climb from the beach, and it was an odd sight to see springless vehicles of all descriptions being drawn by horses, donkeys, and bullocks up a narrow trail. A couple of cars belonging to the War Graves Commission carried Sii James Allen, his daughter, Generals Godley and Russell, and Lady Godlev. Sir James Allen in a speech sympathetically referred to the Turks, who recognised the graves as a sacred trust. General Godley unveiled the memorial, and in a speech described the fighting during the dark days of 1915. General Russell eulogised the splendid qualities of the New Zealanders, and touchingly described the death of Colonel Bauclmn, who, though grievously wounded, responded to General Russell’s effort to cheer him up with: “This is the end ” Then he paused, and a smile flickered over his face, and he added: “And a jolly good end, too.” Chaplain Mcllineux read the service, the “ Last Post ” was sounded, and so closed a simple service Beautiful wreaths were laid on the monument by military and ex-service organisations. Several other cemeteries were visited, notablv Beach cemetery, where Sir James Allen laid a wreath. Sir James Allen entertained the Turkish officials at tea -on board the Ormonde, which will leave Constantinople tomorrow.