IN MEMORY OF FALLEN

Taranaki Daily News, 26 November 1934, Page 5

IN MEMORY OF FALLEN

SYDNEY’S FINE EDIFICE OPENED BY PRINCE HENRY WALLS OF WHITE GRANITE IMPRESSIVE DEDICATION By Telegraph—Press Assn.—-Copyright. Rec. 7.30 p.m. Sydney, Nov. 25. The opening ceremony of Sydney s Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park was performed by the Duke of Gloucester at midday yesterday. The memorial is a magnificent edifice. From the coloured marble base of pure white granite the walls rise to a dome. Four alcoves break the circle _of the walls, inscriptions in them telling the stories of the battles on every front. High up four friezes contain simple groups of sailors, soldiers, airmen and nurses. One looks down over the marble balustrade to the “Well of Sacrifice,” where stands a bronze group which is the motif of the memorial. Bronze flames of sacrifice are inlaid in the centre of the room. From them rise bronze plinths on which stand figures, three women (one carrying a babe), who hold on their heads and upturned hands the supine figure of a naked warrior lying on a shield, his arms outstretched along a sword beneath his neck. Outside in a “Pool of Reflection” the monument is transfigured into a shimmering and dancing thing of shadowy, elusive beauty. The dedication service was simple and impressive. Some 25,000 ex-servicemen in mufti marched to the memorial, where a vast crowd gathered. In the ranks 'of the ex-servicemen were the representatives of other States, Dominions and Allies. Near the van of the procession paraded a detachment of New Zealanders, who were accompanied by Mr. W. P. Endean.

Arriving at the memorial, the Duke inspected the guards of honour representing the Naval, Air and Military Forces. The solemn service was commenced with the hymn “O God Our Help in Ages Past,” which was followed by a prayer offered by the senior chap--lain of the forces.

“If a light heart under stress is but one of the many fine attributes which gave the Australian soldier fame as a fighting man, it is perhaps the one which we find most valuable in our lives," said the Duke in his speech. “As our individual tribute to the memory of the men of Anzac we cannot do better than copy their spirit and display the qualities of cheerfulness and comradeship such as enabled them to endure the hardship and perils of war.” The Archbishop of Sydney offered a prayer of dedication. Kipling’s “Recessional” was sung. After the “Last Post” had been sounded there was one minute’s silence, followed by the “Reveille" and the National Anthem.