IN REMEMBRANCE

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 54, Issue 3894, 26 April 1937, Page 4

IN REMEMBRANCE

LOCAL COMMEMORATION OF ANZAC DAY. HOMAGE TO GALLANT DEAD. In a spirit of deep thankfulness and remembrance, Te Awamutu yesterday paid tribute to the noble dead. Memories of all the heart-breaking years of war were revived by the commemoration of the twenty-second anniversary of New Zealand’s most sacred day. and thoughts turned anew, not only to the riven cliffs of Gallipoli, but to the scorching sands of Egypt, Mesopotamia and to the death fields of Flanders, to the unknown graves in lands afar where the beloved dead lie sleeping. In a morning filled with tile heavenly glory of a typical autumn day, after a severe storm during the night, thoughts turned again to that first Anzac spring tide, so full of tender beauty, so soon to be blasted and sullied and seared by the thunder of guns and the red carnage of war. But tlio golden glory of Anzac burned brightly again yesterday in hearts quickened by love and pride. The curtains of the past were lifted, and the hearts of the people, humbled for a brief space by the passing ot an imminent glory, were laid before the Te Awamutu Cenotaph—the local Altar of Remem trance.

In the presence of a representative gathering, including the Mayor (Mr George Spinley), and other public men, a good muster of Returned Soldiers and a parade of Territorials, under Lieut. R. S. Sinclair, a simple but appropriate ceremony was performed. The Municipal Band, under Bandmaster R. H. Close, opened proceedings by playing “The Garland of Flowers,” after which a number of beautiful floral wreaths were placed at the base ot the Cenotaph. Then came the j silver tumpeting of the “Last Post," and the crash of three volleys fired by the Territorials. “The Reveille” sounded through the stillness, and then the singing of the National Anthem brought the solemn yet inspiring ceremony to a close. The Territorial units marched away —and, though few in number, their general bearing, precision of movement and accuracy of action did them credit —a credit which must be reflected on Lieut. R. S. Sinclair, who has every reason to be proud of his little unit.

And so, as the little assemblage dispersed to their churches or their homes, they naturally felt that, for a little space of time, the past had lived once more and that those they had lost had drawn very near. Many who looked at the parade ot returned men, with tear-dimmed eyes, saw with spiritual vision the faces of dear sons and brothers, who had passed beyond mortal sight, heard voices speaking softly across the rivers of years and hope and courage sprang to re-birth as the fires ot the soul were quickened and the dross of life's trivialities burned away in a swift uplifting ot tho heart:

Ye that have heard the whispering dead In every wind that creeps. Or felt the stir that strains the lead, beneath the mounded heaps, Tread softly, ah! more softly tread Where Memory sleeps— Where Memory sleeps. At Kihikihl in the afternoon a similar solemn commemoration was held. AT OTOROHANGA. (Our Resident Representative.) The Anzac Day observances at Otorohanga were largely attended by residents of the town and districts. A memorial service was held at the Town Hall the chairman of the Town Board, Mr F. O. R. Phillips, presiding. An address was given by Major H. H. S. Westmacott. 0.8. E., and a lesson was read by the Rev. S. W. Webber. Prayers were intoned by the vicar of Otorohanga, Rev. K. R. Small, and Rev. H. W. Payne, and a lesson read by Mr P. H. Gosse. After the singing of “ Lead, Kindly Light,” a procession, headed by the Te Kuiti Band, and consisting of returned men, Territorials, Girl Guides, members of the Fire Brigade, Chamber of Commerce, Town Board, and the various Friendly Societies, was formed, and marched to the Soldiers’ Monument, where the streets were crowded with those assisting at the annual ceremony. Wreaths were laid on the Monument, the usual volley fired, and the Last Post sounded by Bugler Shone, after which the Rev, K. R. Small pronounced the Bendiction. The National Anthem closed a spectacular and solemn ritual. The procession marched back to the Hall, and was there disbanded.