ROLL OF HONOUR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12245, 18 February 1918, Page 6

ROLL OF HONOUR.

UNVEILED AT RICHMOND

SCHOOL,

A very handsome roll of honour for old boys of the Richmond School who have fought in the war was unveiled this afternoon by his Excellency the Governor-General.' The ceremony took place in the school ground, where the roll had been erected behind a, raised platform, and draped with a Red Ensign. There was a large gathering of school children and parents. Their Excellencies were received by Air H. Langford, chairman of the School Committee, and Lady Liverpool was presented with a bouquet by a little girl. Among others present were Colonel Chaffer, officer commanding ‘ the district, Major Alacdonald, and the Mayor of Christchurch (Air H. Holland). After the singing of the National Anthem the chairman read apologies for absence from the Hon G. IV. Russell, who expressed his sympathy with the bereaved, and from the Rev 0. Fitzgerald, and Mr 0. S. Howard, an exschoolmaster. Mr Langford went on to express the honour done the school by the presence of their Excellencies at the unveiling ceremony. They were, he said, following the example of the King and Queen in their very kindly interest in the boys who had gone to the front._ '.I his was having a very inspiring effect among all classes. Richmond School had sent away over 260 men to uphold the honour of the flag. Ho asked his Excellency, on behalf of the committee and parents, to unveil the roll of honour, which recognised the achievements of these men.

His Excellency Lord Liverpool, addressing the gathering, said that was always glad to be present wherever possible at such ceremonies. It was not long ago, at a similar ceremony at Rosencath, that things did not seem so favourable at the front ns they had been; but ho had felt even then that the men who had “gone west” would not wish a legacy to ho handed down to any who were craven-hearted. They all felt that they, were now on tlie ovo of very great, events, bnt the men at the front would meet the situation as their forefathers had always met it in the past. “We of thy, British race,'’ his Excellency continued,

" are Tory curious mortals, and I am proud to say I belong to tUat race. AVo do not like a groat deal or unnecessary fuss; but deep down in our hearts wo bare a great veneration for the great and worthy deeds of our ancestors and contemporaries. I look upon it as_ a great honour to unveil a roll of this kind. I look upon it as a glorious dajj, on which the men who have done groat deeds and are doing great deeds_ are going to bo loft to the recollection of the children hero today and those who are to follow.” Those who had gone, he added, had eft a groat gap, and those who were, left would have to make a double effort to meet the call made upon them. T hey might not have to face the same dangers, hut they must emulate, the men who had gone, and try to keep up the standard of the British race, to do this they must try to he tactful and sympathetic, for this would have a greater influence for good among their neighbours. The war had called for cnormops sacrifices, which were going on throughout the Empire. Two things must he instilled into the minds o the children. They must regard themselves ns quite as good as those who had gone before, and they must he kind to their neighbours and courteous to everyone. They must keen the flag iuse.') Plre flyi " g Vefy high - (A P-

Lord Liverpool then unveiled the Koll of Honour, and three cheers were given lor the hoys at the froniL Hie Mayor, in a brief speech, testified to, the very gallant deeds of the men at the front, and in speaking of the very great interest taken by their Excellencies in the welfare of the SOkllOl’fi. UlPlltirmeil itio launolnng of the Lady Liverpool Fund, and spoke of the very groat appreciation of the hovs for gifts from that fund. Colonel Chaffoy also addressed a few inspiring words to the, pupils on the lesson of the roll of honour, and the need for efficiency.

Tho headmaster (Mr .T. W. M’Grcgor) also addressed tho children, remarking that of the 230 names on the rolK thirty-one were of men who had lost their lives.

After the National Anthem their Excellencies returned, the guard cf honour bring supplied by Boy Seotits fiom Holv Trinity, Avorside, and St Mark’s, Opawa.