ANZAC DAY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19783, 26 April 1934, Page 10

ANZAC DAY

Observance in Timaru Commemoration Services “They went like kings in a pageant to the imminent death .... All was beautiful in that gladness of men about to die, but the most moving thing was the greatness of their generous hearts.” In the grey dawn of an April morn, the men of Anzac commenced the attack on the heights of Gallipoli. Many never reached the shore; others survived but a short time. But a landing was effected in the face of overwhelming odds, and by their heroism and selfsacrifice the men of Anzac wrote their names indelibly on the scroll of fame.. Nineteen years have passed since that fateful day, and yesterday, in common with the rest of the Dominion, the citizens of Timaru assembled to honour the fallen. The customary public service, and the service of remembrance in the schools were largely attended. In the passing years, memory has not dimmed, and in the addresses at the several services, the lesson of Anzac was recalled.

For the first time for many years, the weather in Timaru on Anzac Day was most unfavourable. Early in the morning steady rain set in, and the services at the primary schools had to be held indoors. Towards^ mid-day conditions improved, but a strong southerly wind was still in evidence, and further rain threatened. Right up till the time of the parade for the main service in the afternoon, uncertainty existed as to whether it would be held at the Park, or in the Theatre. When the parade moved off from King George’s Place at 2 p.m. heavy rain was falling, but by the time the firing party, which headed the line, reached the Theatre Royal, the rain had eased off, and the original programme was adhered to.

The parade, which was under the command of Colonel L. M. Inglis, M.C., V. officer commanding the Third New Zealand Infantry Brigade, accompanied by Lieutenant-Colonel S. D. Mason, officer commanding the First Battalion Canterbury Regiment, proceeded along Sophia Street to Stafford Street via Church Street. King Street was followed to the South African War Memorial, where a halt was called while the president of the South African Veterans ’Association (Mr T. E. Butchers) accompanied by Dr. Ulrich, placed a wreath on the memorial. The parade then moved up the avenue, headed by the Municipal Band, playing “The Dead March.” Parade State. The parade state was as follows: Firing party from D (s) Company, First Battalion Canterbury Regiment under the command of Sergeant P. Brant, N.Z.P.S., and 13 other ranks; Timaru Highlajid Pipe Band under Drum-Major W. Andrew and 14 other ranks; Brigade headquarters, Colonel Inglis, Lieut-Colonel Mason and Warrant Officer A. Matheson, N.Z.P.S.; Colour guard from D (s) Company with 60 ranks under Captain G. R. Lee with Lieutenant R. J. Mason, Commanding the left division, Colour escort under Second-Lieutenant W. R. K. Morrison, who carried the Colour and Lieutenants H. E. Bungate and E. W. D. Unwin, staff officers; 30 South African veterans under Mr E. Laverty; 26 members of the Timaru Municipal Band under Drum-Major Angas; 300 returned soldiers under the president (Dr. F. F. A. Ulrich). The Service. As in former years, sentinels were posted at the four corners of the base of the memorial, and they remained with bowed heads and reversed arms throughout the service. When the line of returned soldiers reached the monument, a halt was called, and the president of the Association (Dr. F. F. A. Ulrich) placed a huge wreath of poppies on the monument. The Mayor (Mr T. W. Satterthwaite) also placed a wreath on behalf of the citizens. While these acts of remembrance were being performed, the Pipe Band played “Flowers of the Forest.” All returned men on parade then filed up the steps of the monument, each man depositing a poppy. The service was presided over by the Rev. James Baird, who had with him on the platform Major-General Sir Andrew Russell, K.C.8., K.C.M.G., Dr. Ulrich, the Mayor and the Rev. Clyde Carr, M.P. The service opened with a prayer, led by Mr Baird, after which the assemblage sang the hymn “O God Our Help,” led by the Salvation Army Band. The Scripture reading was from Hebrews, chapter XI, verse 32 to verse 3 of chapter XII. The Address. Sir Andrew Russell said that he desired to express the pleasure he was sure they were all feeling that there was such a good muster of returned soldiers on that day of commemoration. As the years went on their numbers grew fewer, but right throughout New Zealand returned soldiers were coming in increasing numbers to do honour to those whom they had left behind on the other side of the world. Anzac Day was a day of commemoration to those who fought and suffered, and it was a day of thanksgiving to those who had brought them out and as it were, 'gave them another chance. It was a day on which the sympathy of citizens went out to those who had lost a relative or a dear friend at the front, and among the older people who were listening to him, there was hardly one who could not recall the name of a relative or a friend. But they no longer looked on Anzac Day as a day of gloom or depression; they had left that right behind them. It was now a day when they looked forward, and it had become increasingly difficult to find a suitable topic. He had been wondering if they might not take stock of the position to-day, 16 years after the war which was supposed to end war. There was no need, said the speaker, to describe the spirit of Anzac, for all knew perfectly well what it meant, and knew of the virtues, too often hidden in civilian life, which were made evident during the war, the virtues of self-sacrifice, self-forgetfulness, comradeship, courage and chivalry. They had come back with very high hopes as to what the world was going to be in the future, and as they took stock of the position that day, they wondered what were some of the fruits of the war. The only one he could find was that it had undoubtedly quickened the spirit of care for those who were weak and suffering. He referred to the work of returned soldiers among their less fortunate comrades. That was a spirit which was gradually permeating the whole community. Here they were 16 years after the war, when Mr Lloyd George had promised (hem a land fit for heroes. What a farce! Nothing of the kind. A land fit for heroes was me in which they could perform heroic deeds. The opportunity for l'°roic deeds was present to-day, but it seemed that they were being forced m o a position of economic isolation. He was not referring to New Zeaiai:

in particular, but to the whole world. In some way they had failed to learn the lesson of co-operation and goodwill, and they were taking the path which was leading them to look after themselves alone. They were falling back on the futile cry, “Sauve qui peut —every man for himself, and the Devil take the hindmost.” It might be that the Almighty intended them to go through this period of isolation just to teach them what fools they were and so pave the way for better understanding among the nations. No More War Movements. Sir Andrew Russell went on to refer to the presence of organisations, which he described under the generic name of “No More War” movements and although they were in sympathy with the ideals of these movements, the one thing that had struck him was that they, no more than the League of Nations, invoked the aid of the Almighty, and made no attempt to help themselves, but relied on futile discussions which got them nowhere. Those who had fought had been able to preserve liberty, and hand it down, but each generation must preserve its own liberty which was not an unalienable right. It might be necessary for the younger generation some day to defend the freedom which had been handed down to them, and if that day came, they must help their country. The contribution which all as individuals could give to the cause of peace was a very big one—it was like the widow’s mite, whose contribution was as great as the cheque of the wealthy man. They should cultivate the spirit of goodwill in home-life and civic life; they should be determined, if they were ever called upon to fight, not to quarrel which meant envy, hatred and malice —the spirits of evil which made the world worse than it should be. They could make the world a better place if they would only practise the spirit of goodwill. Was it not perfectly true that most wars and quarrels were brought about by selfishness, suspicion and fear, but ‘perfect love casteth out fear.” They had to set to work and pull themselves together, and act in the spirit of goodwill, and they would then be setting an example which other nations could follow, small and all as this nation was. In that way they should be adding to the greatness of the Empire. They would be ensuring and preserving its greatness and bringing about peace. “Peace can never precede; it must always follow a living force of goodwill,” concluded Sir Andrew. A further hymn was then sung, followed by the Benediction. Volleys were fired by the firing party, “Last Post” and “Reveille” were sounded, and the service concluded with the singing of the National Anthem. SERVICE AT DAWN GATHERING AT MEMORIAL. An innovation so far as Timaru was concerned was the holding of a service of remembrance at the Memorial at dawn yesterday morning. There were present about 60 returned soldiers, nurses, members of Toe H and others.