ANZAC SERVICE IN CITY

Southland Times, Issue 25656, 26 April 1945, Page 3

ANZAC SERVICE IN CITY

Men Of Three Wars Parade WREATHS PLACED AT MEMORIAL Services and parades in commemoration of Anzac Day were held in centres in Southland and throughout New Zealand yesterday. It was the sixth Anzac Day of the war—the day on which the nation remembers, in sorrow and humility, the young men who lost their lives. .

In Invercargill, although the weather was extremely cold and rough, keen interest was taken in the parade through the streets, the brief but impressive service at the Great War Memorial and the civic service in the Town Hall. The parade was a small one compared with previous years, but a large number of people followed returned men of three wars to the Town Hall, by way of Dee and Tay streets. Long before the parade began a large crowd assembled at the memorial and inspected the numerous wreaths which had been placed there by representatives of public organizations and the relations and- friends of the men who had lost their lives in the last Great War and the present war. Rain was falling when the parade was formed on the north side of the memorial. The official party, which included the Mayor (Mr A. Wachner) and the president of the Returned Services Association (Mr Hugh Crawford), formed up on the west side and placed wreaths at the base of the memorial. The “Last Post” and “Reveille” were sounded by the Drum, Trumpet and Bugle Band of the Southland Boys’ High School. The parade then moved off down Dee street.

The parade, which was commanded by Mr L. R. Lopdell, was headed by the Battalion Band. Then followed the South African veterans, Ist N.Z.E.F. men, the Drum, Trumpet and Bugle Band of the . Southland Boys’ High School and 2nd N.Z.E.F. men. The parade was made up mainly of Ist N.Z.E.F. men, there being only a small number of South African veterans and 2nd N.Z.E.F. men. The salute at the Great War Memorial was taken by Mr Crawford.

When the parade was passing the South African War Memorial the salute was taken by Mr J. J. Breen, president of the Invercargill branch of the South African War Veterans’ Association.