ANZAC DAY.

Patea Mail, Volume XLV, 26 April 1922, Page 2

ANZAC DAY.

AT PATEA SCHOOL. x Anzac Day (Tuesday) being a close holiday the children of the local school observed Monday as a day of commemoration of the gallant deeds of the New Zealand troops at tho front, and par. ticularly on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

In the afternoon at 2.30 the scholars were assembled in the Central Hall under the Headmaster (Mr J. Matthews) and the various teachers. Mr E. F. Hemingway, Chairman of the Committee, with the Eev. W. Watson, and Mr N. C. Harding were also present. The proceedings opened with the singing of the National Anthem, after which the scholars repeated their declaration: “I love God and my country, I houour the flag, I will serve tho King and cheerfully obey my parents, my teachers, and tho law of the land.”

They then saluted the flag and sang the hymn “0 God, our help in Ages Past.”

Mr Hemingway next gave a br t*f address on the word “Discipline,” and pointed, out that the gallant deeds of the boys at the front would have been of little avail without discipline, which was always needed in every-day life. Mr Hemingway then introduced Mr N. C. Harding to the gathering and reminded the children that they were going to hear something about the landing at Gallipoli from one who ac_ tually was there. They would remember that day in years to come as one on which they were addressed by one of the New Zealanders who fought on the Gallipoli Peninsula. Mr N. C. Harding then gave a most interesting account of the landing of the New Zealanders at Gaba Tepc. on Anzac Day 1915. He pointed out that the New Zealand forces on the previous day were at their base at Lemnos when the order came that they were to leave that day for Gallipoli and a very fine sight was presented as the transports convoyed by warships sailed for the Peninsula. Late in the afternoon they arrived within sound of tho guns of the English warships and a little later were abl cto sec the Queen Elizabeth Is shells bursting on the land. So vigorous was the bombardment that the troops thought they would have an easy time as the Turks, they felt sure, would have been blown to pieces. They later on learnt their mistake.

Mr Harding then went on to explain how the troops had been disembarked from warships into barges which were towed by mine sweepers and afterwards cut adrift and allowed to drift inshore. As they drifted the Turks shelled them and some of the boats were hit and several men wounded. Later ,on the troops landed and they then learnt from the vigorous firing that they were, sub. jected to that the enemy had not been all killed by the warships' guns as they had thought. It was when they landed that the training and discipline of the men came into play. There was no time to form lines or columns. but each man had to fight on his “own". The New Zealanders chased- the Turks inland until Johnny Turk wondered what, had struck him. For some time pandemonium reigned, the men shouting and yelling as they shot or bayonetted the Turks.- As a.-result of the New Zealanders’ attack a first line trench about a mile inland was formed and held dur. ing the rest of the campaign. “It would take too long to tell you all about the work that was carried out during the rest of the fighting on the Peninsula.'said Mr Harding; “but I must tell you something about an armistice we had one day."

• Mr Harding then gave a graphic account of the men swarming out of the trenches and talking with the Germans and Turks for a whole day until 4 p.m. when fighting was resumed. “The Gallipoli campaign was no f a failure,” said Mr Harding, “Those brave boys who arc lying on the Peninsula did not give their lives in vain. The fighting kept the Turks from gaining control of the Suez Canal which has been fittingly described as the “jugular vein” of the Empire.” It afso kept a large Turkish army busy instead of being drafted to the ‘Western' front, Mr Harding next told the story of Corp. Vincent Hall, a .New Plymouth school teacher, who with both thighs shattered refused to take a drink that was offered him, stating that there were others who needed it more than he did. He subsequently died as a result of his wounds. H : s life and his character, Mr Harding declared, were typical of those of the hovfi who fought so gallantly and well and saved the Empire in the Great War, both in Gallipoli, Palestine, and on the Western front. Mr Harding con.' eluded by expressing the hope that the children would not forget those who laid down their lives for them.

Mr Watson also spoke and emphasised the fact that the Now Ziealanders had fought for truth and justice and honour and had acquitted themselves nobly and well; He felt that the war had not been in vain. ' The price had been paid and the world would be abetter world for it. Mr Watson paid a warm tribute to. the work of the Now Zealanders and declared that there were some, boys in the room that day who were equally as brave ah those who had done so well in the Great War, He ‘hoped that the Jpqys and girls wohld grow up worthy of the sacrifices that had been made on their behalf. Mr Watson concluded by expressing the hope that one and all would remember Anzac Day in the years to come. Kipling } s ‘ ‘ Recessional ’ ’ was nextsung by the gathering and a wreath of laurel and poppies was placed on the photograph of the late Lieut. G. A, Robbie, Bugler Cecil Miles sounding “The Last Post."

The proceedings closed with the benediction pronounced by the Rev. W, Watson.