MEMORY OF THE FALLEN.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 November 1921, Page 5

MEMORY OF THE FALLEN.

TARIKI DISTRICT’S TRIBUTE UNVEILED BY BISHOP AVERILL. A STRIKING ADDRESS. “Erected by the residents of Taraki to the memory of their men who fell in the Great War, 1914-1918,” thus runs the inscription, on the granite obelisk standing in the grounds of St. Philip’s Church, Tariki, which was unveiled and dedicated yesterday by the Bishop of Auckland, the Pvt. Rev. Dr. A. W. Averill. There was a large attendance of residents. The ceremony was of a religious character, and commenced with the well-known hymn “O God Our Help in Ages Past.” Prayers for the fallen and their relatives were offered by the Ven. Archdeacon Evans. Other clergy present were the Rev. Stanton (vicar of Inglewood), the Rev. Chambers (Methodist minister), and Mr. Parkins (Presbyterian minister). Addressing those present Dr. Averill said that last year it was his privilege to visit the battlefields in France and Flanders, and there he saw what, might be called the first memorials to the boys —the little crosses which were placed over the graves by their comrades. There were hundreds of thousands of these crosses, and in one cemetery alone, at Etaples, he saw 11,000. "1 don’t suppose that any memorials have been more real or genuine than those simple little crosses with the names qf the boys written on them,” said Dr. Averill. ‘‘They touched me very much indeed, and I am sure you will be glad to know that in all the cemeteries the crosses are being replaced by headstones.” LESSON OF SACRIFICE., Proceeding the Bishop recalled that on November 11 last, a day which would surely be handed down in the world s history, the cenotaph in Whitehall, London, was unveiled to the memory of all the men from all over the Empire who gave their lives in the Great War. One of the most touching incidents in connection with this event was that the King laid a wreath on the coffin of the unknown soldier who was entombed in Westminster Abbey'. The wreath bore the inscription: “Unknown, and yetknown, as dying, and behold they live.’ They were thankful indeed for that cenotaph commemorating a nation’s gratitude to the known and unknown, who. for the freedom of the 'Empire, and of the world, gave all they possessed. It was fitting that memorials should bo erected not only in London but also in every corner of the Empire to remind the people of the boys who died, so that they might keep green the memory of the fallen.

The deeds of those who had gone represented the sacrifice of men who gave their all. They were not amongst the people who were ready to grasp all the privileges of this country and unwilling to make any sacrifices. The boys had flung themselves 'between a cruel tyrant and the honor of the women and children. not only of this country, but also of the population of Belgium and France. Theirs was the true spirit: life was not getting all for ourselves; life was sacrifice and service, and was represented by the wonderful devoton of the boys. They had left a legacy, and it was now for the people to consolidate the work the boys began. What the world wanted was an improved relationship between men, and between classes. That was what the boys died for. There was nothing more wonderful than that splendid sense of comradeship, because they knew they were up against it. The world to-day was up against it, and the spirit of the trenches was needed in civil life. Everyone should strive to create conditions of peace among men. no matter how small the effort might be. There was plenty of unrest in the world at the present time. The disarmament conference was about to open and it behoved everyone to pray that peace would be established on a surer foundation; if this was attained the boys would not have died in THE ROLL OF HONOR. Mr. A. E. Lawrence, chairman of the committee in charge of the memorial, thanked the Bishop and the visiting clertrv for their presence at the cere-

mony. He stated that about one hundred boy« had been farewelled from the district,' and the residents were very proud of them. The ladies neglected nothing in attending to the comfort of the boys while they were away, and, in fact, the public did everything possible. Some had not returned, and as would be seen by the list of fallen, certain families had been hard hit by the war. The proceedings closed with the singing of the National Anthem. 'l’he granite stone is ten feet high and stands on li solid concrete base? facing the main road. On the northern side the roll of honor is inscribed and is surmounted by the title “Our Fallen Heroes.” 'rhe list of names is as follows:—T. D. Hamblyn, J. E. Hamblyn, \V. C. Hamblyn, IT. J. Hamblyn. W. Coutts, W. Jakes, C. W. Karalus, R. W. Karalus, D. Fraser, A. Fraser, S. T. Lawrence, W. M. Hogan, E. J. Kendrick, J. Middiemiss, R. Mather, W. Mather, H. Prujean, H. Parkin, A. Chapman, and L. Smith,