THE HONOURED DEAD,

Temuka Leader, Issue 10351, 12 August 1922, Page 2

THE HONOURED DEAD,

IN MEMORY OP THE FALLEN.

AN IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY. On a vault in an ancient village church in the South of England, at the rear of the old organ, carved in the stone over a century and a-half ago is the following inscription:—

11l memoire qui sui memores alios fecere merendo.

■ Translated from the Latin this reads;-—‘‘ln memory of men who have insured the remembrance of themselves by their merits, their deserts.” Men whose good deeds live in the hearts of their survivors. The above will stand as the Temuka Press tribute to the men of this district whose names appear on the memorial stone, which was unveiled on Thursday afternoon by His' Excellency the Governor-General, Viscount J. R. Jellicoe, 0.M..’ G.C.8., G.C.V.O.

It was a fitting prelude to the sacred ceremony of honouring "the fallen heroes of Temuka district that the weather' conditions were most favourable, and as was to be expected a very large concourse of people assembled iu the Domain in the vicinity of the Temuka War Memorial to pay their last respects to the honoured dead. The Temuka Territorials and Cadets mustered in good force under Lieutenants Clements and Scrimshaw, and the Temuka and Geraldine returned soldiers also turned out in good number. Preceded by the Temuka Pipe Band, under Pipe-major A. Brown, they marched from the town to the Domain and took up their position on the south side of the monument, where also was the Baud of the Salvation Army, under Bandmaster Hawkey, of Timaru. who, with several other bandsmen, came out specially from Timaru for the occasion. Bandmaster Hawkey conducting the band thoughout the ceremony.

On the northern side the children of the district schools were formed up in lines; the Temuka D.H. school children uiulev the headmaster, Mr Jas. Met liven, 8.A., with him Mr J. T. Smart, Director of the Technical School; Miss McGougau, infant mistress; Misses Turner, Methven, •and Messrs. Craven >and Grajifc. . The Clandeboye children were under , the care" of the headmaster, Mr W. H. Cartwright, and the Winchester children under Mr D. Ferguson (headmaster). Other schools represented were Orton, Rangitata, Rangitata Island, and Seadown. The Cadets formed the Guard of Honour and gave the royal salute to His Excellency, who arrived at the Park punctual time,, 3.15 pan., in a taxi, accompanied by the Mayor of Timaru, Mr F. J. Rolleston. His Excellency then proceeded to inspect the Guard of Honour, after the National Anthem had Ijeen sung, the people standing. Prior to the Governor’s arrival. Mr T. Guunion, Mayor of Temuka, mounted the steps of the monument, and in a few words thanked the people for their attendance that afternoon. They all knew, he said, that the occasion was an important' one, and he was very pleased indeed to see such a large gathering present. Special seating accommodation had been provided at the base 'of; the monument, and seated with His Excellency were the Mayoress and Mrs Aspiuall, His Worship the Mayotr (Mr T. o minion). Mr F. J, Rolleston (Mayor of Timaru), Mr T. D. Burnett, member for the district, Mr 0. IV. Armitage. chairman of the Canterbury Education Board, Revs. A. H Morris (Anglican), C. Macdonald (Presbyterian), T. N. Griffin (Methodist). Ensign Pratt (Salvation Army), Mr J. J. Ellis (representing Gc-raldine County Council), Mr E. B. Cooper (Town Clerk), Mr J. Leo (President. Temuka and Geraldine R.S.A.). His Excellency wastaccompanied by Captain Curtis, A.D.C. Mr E. B. Cooper, secretary to the War Memorial Committee, read apologies from the Hon. the tPrime Minister, Major Nicholls, Lieut.-Coi. R, Young, Sir Thos. Mackenzie., Col. K. Mackenzie (chairman Geraldine County Council), Mr J. Charteris and the Rev. Dr. Kennedy, all of whom expressed regret at their inability (o be present. In his tmessage of apology the Prime Minister j;aid:—“l warmly appreciate your kind invPauom eo attend the miveihng of your uuir memorial, Inn regret exceedingly that pressure of Parliamentary dudes will i.'ut permit, of my being tliset.it from the seat of Government. i am sure you will have a most sue.'; >,ssi ti' ceremonial.”

THE MAYOR’S*. ADDRESS Ob’ welcome. The Mayor (luni deli ve. i d rlir- following- address:

"May it pledge You i* Excelbncy. On behalf of Teonnka and surrounding district I welcome you to tin* Borough. Wfi feel highly hononmd that you, the representative of Mia 1 . Majesty the Kicig. should be with on this occasion. We regret that this occasion has arisen; but having done so we must look back with pride at the, actions of (hose who rose to 'he call of tin- Motherland, which was in peril. .Mlany of (hose brave boys who left these shores dvid not return, and we have erected this memorial to their memory, so that they who follow in the years to come will know to whom they owe the liberty rh.oy then enjoy, which is the pride of the British, nation.

"This column lias berm raised by voluntary subscriptions at a coni of £IOOO. and wo trust it will he looked upon with veherution in the year?; I<< come when the world has' sett.led down to industrial and international peace. In conclusion. Your Excellency, 1 wish to thank von f ( ,r being with us to-day, convey m yen an expression of loyally from tins Majesty’s subjects resident in ihf.s portion of the Empire.’" The hymn, "O End. t)nr 'IB la in Ages Past." was then suing, aft -r which the liev. Elias. Ma-cdoanbi re-ad an appropriate Scriptnpai passage from the Book of Joslnni, cbtap. IV.. verges 1 to o.—" That 111 is mtiy be a sign among yon. that ’when- your children ask their lathers in time to come, saying, what ><■ 'f»y tl.-se

s'ones?. . . . Then ye shall! sav These stones shall he a nm-morial unto the children of Israel for >-;cr.

And Joshua set up twelve stones iu the midst of Jordan. . . . And they are there unto, this day.” The lower portion of the monument was covered from view wUh a large Union Jack, and before unveiling it. His Excellency stood in front of the stone.at the salute as a grateful tribute to the dead heroes./

THE UNVEILING CEREMONY. HIS EXCELLENCY'S ADDRESS. In unveiling the monuraut His Excellency said: “I feel indeed greatly honoured by being asked t0,.-pomp here to-day to perform the cereiiiony of unveiling the memorial to the fallen herdes of this district I appreciate immensely the kindness by which you have suited the day for the unveiling in order that I might he present as His Majesty’s representative. It is fitting that the re- " preseatative of His Majesty should, as far as possible, perform such ceremonies, because His Majesty is the symbol of Empire, and this memorial is erected because those whose names are inscribed upon it fought and died for the Empire. The significance of these memorials is very great indeed. They are symbolical of the gratitude of the peoplp who erect them; and of the gratitude of the whole Empire'towards those who /" have given their lives for their country. They are symbolical of the glorious deeds of the Empire’s sons; they are symbolicab.of the sympathy of those who were bereaved during the great war, of the loyalty of tjie people of New Zealand; and they serve as an incentive to future generations to uphold the Empire iu the same degree as those who have fallen in the Great War upheld if and did -their part, for King and country. In the past the Empii’e has , not been altogether free from reproach: in the hurry of modern life people were prone to adopt too seifish an attitude towards one another, and the deeds of those who had "preserved the Empire were apt to be forgotten when the danger was past. Kipling . has given expression to this in very* effective form—this aspect of forgetfulness. Some people may have thought that in some parts of the Empire there has been a tendency,to 1 forget-, even on this occasion. But > whatever may have happened in other ' ■parts of the Empire, New Zealand has very little indeed with which to reproach herself in this ; respect. I - know of no part of the Empire where the fallen have been remembered in more fitting ways than, in this- Dominion. The Government and the peuple have done their utmost to perpetuate the memory of the fallen. Much has been done for those who, alas, have come back maimed; the bereaved have been looked after the Government and people-, and much has been done to find work for those ■who were fortunate enough to return to their homes in health and vigour. " . But there is one - other thing that these"memorials do —namely, they remind the Government and the people that they -should never forget what the heroes of the battlefield have dene for civilisation. As owe passes through this Dominion he sees many of these memorials. This is a sign of what New. Zealand has given for King and Empire, and it Is also a proud record of what New Zealand did when the call to arms came;.and, it is also a record of which New Zealand lias reason to lie proud, and a reminder to those who erect them never to forget" to try to emulate the , deeds of those who have given their lives. In this way the memorials will act as a great incentive to future generations to rise to higher levels in thought and deed. No one can possibly view but with the greatest -- abhorrence any prospect of a.war in the future; but it is not necessary to wait for war in order to. show the qualities which the gallant men whose memories we are commemorating by memorials exhibited during the late war. It is up to everyone to show these qualities during peace lime —qualities such as courage, selfsacrifice, and devotion to duty. These are the qualities which will bring happiness to the individual and to the nation, and we should emulate our heroes of the battlefields iu what they did for home and King 'and country. 1 express my deep appreciation of the honour which has been done me in asking nie here to-day. It is a great thing to see such a magnificent congregation assembled to do honour to the fallen for their glorious work on behalf of the Empire.” I His Excellency then proceeded to unveil the memorial, saying: ‘‘To the glory of Rod, and in .glorious meinory of those iu this district who gave their lives in the Great War, T unveil Memorial.” THE ROLL OP"' HONOUR. Mr T. D. Burnett, M.P.. then read out the list of names inscribed on the stone, as follows; — ‘ . ; Ait ken, J. Lane, T. i Aldred. E. Levens, G. W. i Armais, F. .1. Lee, A.

Archer, E. Bee, L. Aspinall, W. I). Bloyd,- W. .1. Ashwell, S. H. Manihera, W Barker, T. E. Martin, E.

: Harrell, E. McCallum. J. ' Bird, T. H. McClelland, S. I Booker, G. E. McClelland; W. j Booker, r (’. JO, MoClinlock, A. S. ! Brosimhan, T. J. Maurice, P. D. j Broun, J. Middlcmiss, D. I Cain, A. ATil Is, A. . | Campljo.ll, D. Mills, D. C. ] Carr. E. M. Miles, E. G. 1 Carr, ,1. J. Monahan, H. ! Carr, J. Moore, G. Carr. O. P. Moore, J. R. Chartoris, M. Morgan, A. Clarke, .1, Morgan, W. S. Clarke, P. Miiß'anoy, T. Council, .1. W. O’Connor, .). J. Crannitrli, ,1. O'Connell, J. Davev, S. E. Oldfield, F. W. Davev, W. J. O’Neill, J. B. , Donetme, A. T. • O’Shea. C. Oivan, G. O’Shea. D. Elder. .1. Overend. W. A. Fitzgerald, T. Parker, A. Futiiergill, ,1. S. Perry, T. .1. ■ Frew, A. Phillips, R. ® iiasmi, W. 11. Polasclick, W. Gihson, S. Pohio, S, Gillespie, K. B. Pratt ley, 11. ,1. Gould, E. ,1. Rainey, W. J. Greeiish. .1. Sanders. T. A. Guildford, NV. Smith. G. J. Ifaar, C. .1. Spring. M, Hamilton, ,1. Storey, If. Ha mil ton. M. Sullivan. P, Harrison, J. 'I a I hot. A. E. Harte.,W. G. Talhot, B. H. Heani. I ’l’. Talko. A. Giddiest one. A. H.Tatc, J. A. Hill, B. W. Thomas, 0. F. it. ■t listen, T. J. Twomcy. F. H. llorgan. T. Tnoley. D. D. Hoskins. W, W. Wade, .). Hull. n. 11, C, Wallace. S. P. Huxford, IN’. T, NVehh, \V, \V. Johnson. (’. NVliimu. p. Joseph, .1. 11. Woodhead, G. Kay, A. I, W. Wright, E. Kennedy, T. R. Yates, F. G, THE MO.VTMKXT. ’t’l l ** Monument itself is a very imposjn:- one, and is erected on Ihe ■■on ih-easi ern side of die Park oval tiir-e to the font pa th which leads on the outskirts of Hie cycling track. It is a large obelisk, standing 30

fpet high, the upper portion being Ot |iarcourt polished granite, tlie names being deeply incised in a square on the front part, and finished. Off in gold lettering. The top of the stone is a very fine moulded cap. and over ten tons of granite ■white used in the construction of •the upper portion, which was the work of Mr G. W. J. Parsons, of •A. Christchurch, and his staff of monumental 1 ’ masons. There are three steps leading up to the monument, „ and two tiers above these before the granite column is reached. The work of the basement was carried out by local workmen under the supervision of Mr D. Mclnnes. The ■whole of the work is decidedly mUJable *° those.concerned, Mr Parsoushafid his staff and the local men as well. The whole cost of the memorial is over £IOOO. THE INSCRIPTION. On the front portion is the folio ring inscription: ' Hallowed for Ever to The Memory ' of The Men of this District who In the Great War Hought for Righteousness an,d Freedom and Died the Death of Honour. 1914-1918. Through the storm and death agony they have attained the vision .of the Eternal. Thdfr name liveth for evermore. Rev. A. H. Norris said: Let us remember before God those who have laid down their lives in the , Groat'War. He then offered up the beautiful prayer, “O Eternal Father” and this was followed by the Lord's .Prayer, the vast assemblage repeating the same. ADDRESS RY PRESIDENT OF THE R.S.A. Mr .1. Lee, President of the Temuka and Geraldine Returned Soldiers’ Association, said' that he wished to express his thanks on behalf of the R.S.A. on this glorious occasion that those men who had been through smoke and powder were not to be forgotten. He realised quite well that many hearts that day were full of sorro,w, and • . his- Association extended its heartfelt sympathy to those who mourned the loss of their loved ones. if those men could speak they would not haVe us mourn,, but would prefer ‘to be joyfully remembered as having given their Jives freely in the discharge of their duty. Thus it was that their memories should be ~ kept green. As we passed that , way we could look at the memorial and think of what it meant to us. It was our duty to see that , the wants of those who depended ■ on them were looked after. Let us Irurß that the sacrifice made by those men was not in vain.

NATIONAL ANTHEM AND LAMENT.

The National Antlymi was then sung to the accompaniment of the Band, followed by the Lament, played by Piper Robert Macaulay. During the playing of the latter, a number of beautiful wreaths were placed at the foot of the memorial. WREATHS. His Excellency was, among the first to place a wreath at the foot, of the memorial, and it was looked upon by all present as a graceful act and an honour to Temuka and the relatives of the fallen. Other wreaths-were as follows: — Temuka Borough Council, Temuka War Memorial Committee, Temuka and Geraldine Returned Soldiers’ Association (a Digger’s tribute), Te Awa School, Clandeboye School, Mr and Mrs Robinson and family, Mr and Mrs G. Levens and family, Mr and Mrs J, Elder and Desmond, Jack and Myra, Mr and Mrs F. Sanders, The Ashwell Family, Relatives of. F. W. Oldfield, “A Digger’s Tribute,” Colin and Eliza Campbell, .relatives of Private S. V. Wallace, Mrs Tooley .and family, Mr and Mrs H. Sbands, Miss C. McNaugbt (in remembrance of Walter Harte), Waitohi Memorial Committee, Mr and Mrs C. Hollands, relatives of Trooper L. H. Hill, Mr and Mrs.W. H. Smith, M. Longson. Mr and Mrs Tarbotton, Lower Waitohi School, relatives of Hugh Monahan, Mr and Mrs Duncan Taylor, Mrs and Miss Clarke, relatives of “Tim” and “Perry.” THE LAST KITES. A firing party of cadets fired three volleys, the “Last Post” was sounded by Bugler Burtenshaw, and this brought the solemn proceedings to a close. /

The marshals for the ceremony were Messrs E. Booth and G. Langford, who carried out their duties thoroughly. At the close of the ceremony refreshments were served out at the back of the pavilion to the R.S.A. and visitors, His Excellency being among those present. The dispensing of the edibles was in the hands of, the War Committee and their wives, and other assistants who saw to it that this portion of the proceedings was carried out with exactness.

A TRIBUTE TO MRS ASPINALL

Opportunity was taken during the afternoon tea by -His Worship the Mayor to pay a very warm tribute to the work done by-Mrs Aspinall all through the war. Mr Gnnnion said that Mrs Aspinall had done great work since and during the erection of the memorial which had %heen unveiled, and her work wgs beyond all praise. The town of Tnmttka was very fortiinate indeed i*i having a lady like Mrs Aspinall

resident in it. His Worship then introduced Mrs Aspinall to Hi? Excellency the Governor-General,- amid applause. His Excellency said he had heard a, good deal about the splendid work done by Mrs Aspinall, and he expressed his deep appreciation of it. No one could do justic" to' her for xvual she had doing and although" Air Gnnnion hud done his best he had not really done her enough justice. His Excellency expressed the til-inks of the community to Mrs Aspinall. (Applause und cheers.) A very graceful acknowledgement was made by Mrs Aspinall of the compliment paid to her, which, she said, was a rather unexpected honour. What she had done had been looked upon by her as a duty to the soldiers, God forbade t lint she should be a soldier, so she had clone the next best tiling in trying to do anything that was necessary for them. ( Applause.) To His Excellency, the Mayor ten-

dered a hearty vote of thanks for - his kindness in attending the ceremony that afternoon, - which was acknowledged by His Excellency, and amid applause and cheers the Governor-General was motored to the Railway Station, where he caught the north-hound express (rain. a, \ Gll.AfTOl'Tlj ACT. If was a very graceful act, in-, deed, on (he part of Mr T. Gnnnion.

the Mayor, to send a oar to bring an old 'and respected one-time public man to the ceremony in the person of Mr Alex. Frew, who was Mayor of Temuka all through the war period. His, cheery speeches from the Post Office steps as the men returned from the heat of battle, and his comforting' words to the men when assembled in the Drill Hall prior to their departure to fight for home and country, will ever be remembered by Tcmnka folk, and Mr Frew’s name will go down to posterity as one of the “grand old men” of Temuka, an appellation he has well earned. As is well known, Mr Frew is not in the best of health, and he occupied a scat in the car, taking much interest in the whole proceedings. Throughout the war period he was never lacking in his duty as Mayor, and it is hardly necessary for us to say that the people owe Mr Frew a debt of gratitude which can never be repaid by words. His many friends will wish him a speedy return to his former health and strength, and that he may be spared many, years to come to see the town he has taken so much interest in go forward.