SYMBOL OF MEMORY

Taranaki Daily News, 31 October 1921, Page 5

SYMBOL OF MEMORY

MONUMENT Td THE FALLEN. CEREMONY AT BELL BLOCK. ADDRESS BY GOVERNOR-GENERAL. A handsome memorial to the fallen soldiers from the Bell Block, Hillsborough and Tarurutangi districts, which has been erected at Bell Block, was unveiled by the Governor-General yesterday afternoon, in the presence of a large gathering. A guard of honor was supplied from A Company Territorials, under the command of Lieut. A. Smith, and the assemblage included a muster of over one hundretl soldiers from the New Plymouth Returned Soldiers’ Association, under the command of Major Sheppard, and sections of the South African veterans, Legion of Frontiersmen and Boy Scouts. His Excellency, who was accompanied by Lady Jellicoe, was met on arrival by Mr. J. S. Connett, the chairman of the committee in charge of the memorial, and was conducted to the platform erected in front of the memorial.

In opening proceedings Mr. Connett read a number of apologies. Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., telegraphed expressing regret that Parliamentary duties prevented him being present. Mr. Smith added in his message that the district’s record in the great war was more than creditable, and it was very fitting to commemorate the deeds of those who gave their lives that the blessing of liberty and freedom under the ‘British flag should continue. Others who sent apologies for absence included Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Burgess, Mr. and Mrs. Cuthbert (Stratford), and Colonel and Mrs. Cox (Hawera).

THE DISTRICT’S PART. On behalf of the residents of Bell Block, Hillsborough and Tarurutangi districts, Mr. Connett welcomed His Excellency, and expressed appreciation of his visit to Taranaki. They especially appreciated his presence at the function that afternoon to unveil the memorial to their noble dead, who had given their lives in the great war in which Great Britain and the Dominions took such a forward part. Some seventy men had left the district, the majority being volunteers, but fifteen of that number had given their lives, in order thpt the present generation and their children might live to enjoy the freedom so prized by the Britisher.

The residents felt that they owed a tribute to the memory of these men, and also to the sorrowing relatives. The neighboring districts co-operated for the purpose of erecting the one memorial to represent the three localities. In this respect some sacrifice had to be made on the part of two districts in regard to the site, and he was glad to say that the sacrifice was made without demur. The design was that chosen by the wives and mothers of the fallen men, and there could be no greater honor than that it shopld be unveiled by His Excellency, the direct representative of the King, and one who had shared with them all the perils of that anxious time.

The unveiling was then performed by His Exclelency, who said: “I unveil this memorial in honored memory of those men from this district who gave their lives for King and country, for the cause of freedom, civilisation and righteousness.” This part of the ceremony over, the guard of honor gave the salute, and the Last Post was sounded. A laurel wreath, bearing a card with the inscription “In Memoriam”, which was brought forward by Master Taylor, was placed at the foot of the statue by His Excellency. A number of floral wreaths were also placed at the base of the memorial during the afternoon. LESSON OF SACRIFICE. In his address the Governor-General said: “It is a very great honor I have been accorded to-day in being asked to undertake the duty of unveiling this most beautiful memorial. It is an honor which is done to me in two capacities: Firstly, as representative of His Majsety the King, and it is very fitting that His Majesty should be represented on an occasion such as this, for we honor the memory of men who gave their lives for the Empire. His Majesty is the Sovereign of the Empire, and the Throne is the symbol which knits together the different scattered portions of the Empire. I feel the honor in a second capacity-—that of a naval officer. The Royal Navy was very closely associated with the New Zealand Forces, particularly in the early months of the war, and the officers and men of the Navy who were privileged to serve with the New Zealanders conceived for that force the greatest possible admiration. Therefore I feel it especially an honor that an officer of the Royal Navy should .be performing this ceremony.

“This district is one with great military traditions. These traditions brought together in years gone by the Royal Navy and Taranaki’s soldiers and her volunteers. In the great war Taranaki’s sons worthily upheld the great traditions that had been handed down to them. The sacrifice paid by the men whose memory we are here to honor to-day holds a lesson for us all.

They sacrificed themselves at the call of duty, for others. It is a lesson which, wa may all well learn—that of sacrifice given up for others. One cannot speak here today without expressing the deep sympathy that one feels for those left behind. On behalf of His Majesty I tender to. those relatives His Majesty’s deepest sympathy, and his admiration for what has been done for the Empire by those we are honoring to-day. It is a privilege also to see here a gathering of so many comrades of the fallen. This district, as has been said, made a great response to the call of the Empire, and I feel proud to be associated with the district in the proceedings to-day.” A STRIKING MEMORIAL. A short service was held, the Ven. Archdeacon Evans, asssited by the Rev. T. Beal (Fitzroy), officiating. Prayere were offered for the fallen, and for the King and the Empire. The hymns, “O God Our Help in Ages Past” and “Fight the Good Fight" were sung by the gathering, the 4th Battalion Band, under Conductor Lowe, accompanying.

The rendering of the National Anthem by the band and the salute by the guard of honor concluded the ceremony. Thoir Excellencies met a number of relatives of fallen soldiers, and also shook hands with the returned soldiers, veterans and frontiersmen. Afterwards the Vice-Regal party and a large number of. visitors were entertained at afternoon tea by the ladies. The memorial consists of a New Zealand black granite monument, surmounted by a Sicilian marble figure, the whole being sixteen feet high. The figure, which symbolises “Memory”, was produced in an Italian studio, and is of exceptionally highclass workmanship. The remainder of the memorial consists of a fine-axed moulded cap, polished die and base, with two lower bases, which are rock-faced with margin drafts. The whole of the granite work was done on the premises of Mr. W. F. Short, New Plymouth.

The memorial has a commanding position, facing the main road between New Plymouth and Waitara. The front of the monument bears th'e inscription, “In remembrance of the men from Bell Block, Hillsborough and Tarurutangi districts who gave their lives, in the Great War of 19141918, in the cause of liberty, justice and humanity.” The western side contains the Bell Block names, which are as follows: Sergeant S. Hoby, Sergeant E. A. Dustow, Sergeant H. J. Jeffrey, Lance-Corporal K. Corbett, Privates V. H. Holmes, C. E. Street, C. H. Potts.

The roll of Tarurutangi and Hillsborough names is inscribed on the western side of the monument. The list is: Sergeant J. Cuthbert, Sergeant H. N. Skelton, LanceCorporal M. (Bill) Hayden, Trooper A. E. Bishop, Trooper L. Copestake, Privates A. E. C. Barriball, D. Street and G. W. Sutherland.

All arrangements for yesterday’s proceedings were capably conducted by the committee, who had an energetic band of workers in Messrs. A. W. Ogle (secretary), Geo. King and J. Bishop. They had the assistance of Mr. R. Day, of New Plymouth.