IN REMEMBRANCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 May 1921, Page 4

IN REMEMBRANCE.

MEMORIAL TO FALLEN SOLDIERS. UNVEILING AT ERANKLEY ROAD 4 memorial stone erected at Frankley Road school to the memory of soldiers from that district who lost their lives in the war was unveiled yesterday afternoon. There was a large gathering, despite the discomforts of a wintry afternoon. The religious portion of the ceremony was conducted by the Ven. Archdeacon Evans and Rev. F. G. Harvio (vicar of St. Mary’s), and the unveiling was performed by Lieut.-Colonel C. H. Weston. Visitors included Mt. S. G. Smith, M.P., Captain A. McDiarmid (president of the New Plymouth R.S.A.). Mr. A. S. Allen (Repatriation Committee) and Mr. P. J. H. White (chairman of the Taranaki Education Board). The memorial is a simple but effective one—of New Zealand granite—and faces the public road. On the front it bears the inscription “Gallipoli, France, Flanders.—ln Remembrance/’ and then follow the names of the men killed in action. At the bottom are the two words “Gone West,” and an inscription* symbolic of poignant memories, “Crowned ’in our hearts with glory and honor.”

The service opened with the singingi of the hymn, “O God Our Help,” accompaniment being played by the New Plymouth Citizens’ Band. A Scripture reading, Wisdom 5,1, 16, was given by Rev. Harvie, and.tins was followed by the Lord’s Prayer and the hymn, “O Valiant Hearts.” The stone was then unveiled of its covering (a Union Jack), and in performing this ceremony Col. Weston said:—“To the honored memory of the men from this district, who gave their lives in the great war for King and country, in the cause of freedom, truth, and righteousness, we unveil this stone. May their names ever be held in honor, and may their sacrifice inspire those who come after them to deeds of service and love for their fellow men.”

Prayers were offered by Archdeacon Evans in remembrance of the men who gave their lives, and the gathering sang the hymn, “Lead Kindly Light,” In a short address Archdeacon Evans said: “I feel thankful that you in thia district have erected this memorial to the memory of our boys, who gave theii lives willingly for the cause of freedom and righteousness in the world, and 1 think it is a great thing that this monument should be erected near the public road, and near the school, so that the growing generations of the future may realise what has been done for them by our noble men. Those men, who went in company with so many others, brought lustre to then country. It is a very fitting thing to raise up these memorials, but I think we want a more lasting memorial, and in order that we may have one it must be woven into the nation to which we belong. Memorials pass away, but nations remain, and so the memories of our brave boys should be woven into the fibre of the nation.”

After referring to the sacrifices made by the men, not only of the New Zealand army, but also of the British forces, the speaker asked: What was the spirit that took these men away to fight? It was ft love of country and patriotism, and if we wanted to keep their memory sweet we should make our life what they would have it, and make the country as happy, as successful and as holy as it could possibly be, In conclusion, Archdeacon Evans said: “I thank you for this expression of goodwill to the boys who have gone, and I pray that their memory may never be missed in our national life.”

Aftei* a blessing had l>een pronounced by the Archdeacon, the “Last Post” **as sounded by Mr. R. Taylor, and the ceremony was brought to a conclusion with the rendering of the National Anthem by the band. A number of beautiful floral wreaths were placed at the foot of the memorial during the proceedings. The following list of names of the fallen appear on the stone: —Sergt. L. Okey (1915), Privates L. Okey, H. Grooby, R. Marett, G. Bendall (1916); Captain N. Arden, Private L. Boswell (1917); Rflmn. L. Newell, C. Leighton and F. Lander (1918).