LARGE CROWD AT SERVICE

Southland Times, Issue 24419, 26 April 1941, Page 8

LARGE CROWD AT SERVICE

1400 Men On Parade

Tire citizens’ service was the chief part of the Anzac Day commemoration in Invercargill. The weather was fine and mild and a very large crowd was present. The service was preceded by a march along Taj' and Dee streets to the show grounds by members of the National Military Reserve, territorials, cadets, South African War veterans, returned soldiers and members of the Home Guard. The parade, which was under the command of the area officer, Major H. C. Mackenzie, assembled at the Eastern Reserve. There were in all 81 officers and 1318 other ranks on parade. Of these totals the Home Guard accounted for 55 officers and 610 other ranks. Fifteen of the Home Guard officers were from country districts. Only 80 men paraded as returned soldiers, but it has to be remembered that the majority of the National Military Reserve are returned men, and that many paraded with the Home Guard and a few with the territorials. There were only 10 South African war veterans on parade, a reminder that many who fought for King and country in that war have answered the last call. Grey and greying heads were numerous, too, among the returned soldiers, but as in the days now a quarter of a century in the past, they marched proudly and erect. GOOD MARCHING The marching of all the companies was good and the fine bearing of the Home Guardsmen won favourable comments. Afterwards Major Mackenzie said that he was very pleased with the parade and with the marching of the men and boys of all the units. The procession was long and the first company had wheeled round the South African War Memorial from Tay street into Dee street long before the last company marched off the Eastern Reserve. Mr R. Aitken, president of the Invercargill branch of the South African War Veterans’ Association, took the salute at the South African memorial, and Dr Owen-Johnston took the salute at the Great War memorial. There were crowds of people all along the route of the procession, but the biggest concourse was at the Great War memorial, and as the last company of the parade entered the show ground gates it was followed by hundreds of people who quickly filled the grandstand. The parade was drawn up in the ring facing the grandstand, with the New Zealand flag in the centre and the regimental colours on the right. THE SERVICE The service began with the singing of two verses of “Onward Christian Soldiers” to the accompaniment of the Civic Band. Then Adjutant Lee, of the Salvation Army, offered prayer and a passage of scripture was read by Chaplain Major J. A. Thomson. Dr OwenJohnston then addressed the gathering. After the address the Benediction was pronounced by the Ven. Archdeacon J. A. Lush, the “Last Post” was sounded by the Technical College Band, “Reveille” by the Southland Boys’ High School Band and the service concluded with the singing of the first verse of the National Anthem, played by the Regimental Band. The colours were then marched off and company by company the men left the ring and were dismissed. Thus ended a short but impressive service. PARADE STATE The following was the parade state: — Other Unit Officers Ranks Headquarters staff 3 6 Boys’ Regimental Band - 30 20th company National Military Reserve 5 103 Regimental Band 1 24 First battalion Southland regiment 7 97 Southland B.H.S. Band 1 55 Scottish company 1 30 A company Ist Cadet Battalion (Southland 8.H.5.) 2 63 Technical College Band 0 23 B and C companys Ist cadet battalion (Technical College) 6 120 South African War veterans - 10 Returned soldiers - 80 Caledonian Pipe Band - 16 Home Guard 55 610 Civic Band - 31 Salvation Army Band - 20 TOTALS 81 1318 TOC H DAWN SERVICE As dawn was breaking yesterday, the members of Toe H Invercargill assembled at the War Memorial. The service opened with the singing of the hymn, “O God Our Help in Ages Past.” Mr G. F. Gunn led in prayer, Mr F. E. Williamson took light and Mr M. C. Burley led with the Toe H prayer. The singing of the hymn, “Lead Kindly Light,” brought a simple but a sincere and impressive ceremony to a close.