HONOUR TO DEAD

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 838, 5 December 1929, Page 6

HONOUR TO DEAD

MOTHERS’ UNION WREATH BLESSED

DEPOSITED IN CATHEDRAL

An intangible link between the war dead of Britain and Auckland was forged yesterday afternoon, when the wreath annually sent by the Auckland Diocesan Mothers’ Union, to be placed on the Unknown Warrior’s tomb in Westminster Abbey, apd which was brought back this year, was deposited in its last restingplace on St. Mary’s Cathedral memorial.

The cathedral was crowded, and the impressiveness of the ceremony left ineffaceable memories. The wreath was borne down the aisle to the strains of the Anzac hymn.

“Father, King Immortal.” by Captain A. C. A. Sexton, and Captain K. H. Sharp, president and secretary of the Auckland Returned Soldiers’ Association. The "Last Post” rang out, and in a deep silence Archbishop Averill blessed the wreath in these terms:—

“Bless, we pray Thee. Almighty God, this mothers’ tribute to the devotion and sacrifice of mothers’ sons who laid down their lives for righteousness and peace in the Great War. May it be an inspiration to mothers and sons to stand for the things which really matter in life, and to accept sacrifice and suffering as the price of victory. Grant to the faithful dead eternal rest and peace, and may the sacrifices made in the war contribute to a true and lasting peace and the dawn of a better world. Comfort the hearts of all mothers, and may they look forward to a time when sorrow shall turn to joy.” Following the depositing of the wreath on the memorial, Archbishop Averill addressed the congregation. He described the placing of the Mothers’ Union wreath in its last resting-place in the cathedral as a tribute of love and honour from the mothers of New Zealand to all who had died for what they believed to be right, and also to the mothers who shared in the suffering of their loved .ones.

Canon AV. Fancourt, Canon C. H. Grant Cowen, aifd the Rev. R. G. Coats, and the Rev. Carl Tanner, assisted in t-he service.

A collection of £5 was taken up. which will be devoted to the roll of honour for the War Memorial Museum.