AT MESSINES

Southland Times, Issue 19358, 25 September 1924, Page 9

AT MESSINES

NEW ZEALAND MEMORIAL. UNVEILLED BY KING ALBERT. The King of the Belgians unveiled at Messines on August 1 a monument to the dead of the New Zealand Division which fought in Flanders during the war. The memorial consists of a white stone obelisk in an architectural setting surrounded by a small garden, and stands just outside the village by the high road. King Albert travelled by aeroplane to Comines, and motored thence to Messines. The monument, covered with the New Zealand flag was surrounded by school children, local representatives, and a large number of spectators. British officers and men of the British Legion were also present, but no New Zealand soldiers Prominent among the visitors were General Sir Alexander Godley, Major-General Sir Andrew Russell, who commanded the division; General Sir Edward Chaytor, who commanded the New Zealanders in Palestine; the High Commissioner of New Zealand in London, Sir James Allen; the Rev. F. Dunnage, vicar of Woolston, New Zealand, C.F.; Captain Robertson, of the British Legion; Baron Janssens de Bisthoven; Major Pieters, of the Belgian Graves Organisation; and the Burgomaster of Messines and the surrounding communes. After conducting His Majesty to the foot of the monument, Sir James Allen made a short speech recalling the memory of the men who came from the Antipodes to defend the cause of justice.

The King, in reply, speaking in English, paid a tribute to the courage and spirit of sacrifice displayed by the New Zealanders who fought at Messines. After the unveiling the King laid a wreath at the foot of the monument, and flowers were placed on it by the little girls present. Speeches were also made by General Godley, the Burgomaster, M. Deleu, and Sir Thomas Mackenzie (the former High Commissioner for New Zealand). The chaplin then blessed the monument, a hymn was sung by the children’s choir in honour of the fallen, and the ceremony concluded with “God Save the King.”