MEMORIES OF ANZAC LIVE WITH PASSING YEARS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17830, 26 April 1926, Page 10

MEMORIES OF ANZAC LIVE WITH PASSING YEARS.

IMPRESSIVE CHURCH SERVICES—CITIZENS TURN OUT IN THOUSANDS TO SEE PARADE.

Thousands of Christchurch folk were yesterday carried on the wings of memory back to a day eleven years ago. when New Zealand's sons, in the face of overwhelming odds, made their historic landing on Gallipoli Peninsula, and won for the Dominion undying fame, a fame that is as green in 1926 as it was on April 25, 1915. The six thousand who listened to the stirring and inspiring address of the Hon L. M. Isitt, M.L.C., in King Edward Barracks were not the only people who remembered—thousands more thronged the streets to witness the parade of Territorials. Cadets and returned men, thousands attended church services throughout the city, and thousands of bereaved mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, remembered in their own simple way the glorious self-sacrifice of the flower of New Zealand’s manhood in the greatest feat of arms in the history of the world. Scores of beautiful wreaths were displayed before the Cathedral, colourful tributes to the dead. Amongst them was one dropped in Haglev Park from a hovering aeroplane, in memory of the men of the Royal Air Force who gave their lives in the war.

As if they too. remembered, the weaker gods provided glorious sunshine :or the day, and long before the parade was timed to move off. thousands had gathered on either side of the streets along the route of march. The military parade was drawn up in Cranmer Square, and marched to the Barracks by way of. Victoria Street. Colombo Street, through Cathedral Square and along Cashel Street, over the Bridge of Remembrance. The route was lined with people all the wav, and after the parade had filed into the Barracks there were still thousands of people in the streets, unable to gain admission.

General amazement was expressed at the numerical strength of the parade. When the leaders were passing over the Bridge of Remembrance, uniformed men and boys were still marching down Victoria Street. Colonel Gard’ner, D. 5.0., O.C. Southern Command, was in charge. There was a fine muster of ex-service men and a magnificent collection of wreaths supplied by local bodies and relatives of the fallen. After the service in the Barracks these were brought back to the Cathedral and placed on frames as usual, and for hours afterwards were inspected by people. A special one from the R S.A. was placed on the Bridge, this being of laurels and poppies. Among those deposited in front of the Cathedral, apart from private ones, were those sent in by the following:—The Mayor and councillors, Returned Soldiers* Association, Christchurch Fire Brigade, Canterbury Progress League, Rugby Union, Y.M.C.A.. Beath and Co., Canterbury Automobile Association, Federal Club, Canterbury Justices of the Peace Association, New Brighton Borough Council, St Andrew’s College, Harbour Lights Girls’ Club, Chamber of Commerce, J. Ballantj-ne and Co., Riccarton Borough Council, Christchurch Drainage Board, Canterbury Cricket Association, Canterbury Club, Australian Imperial Forces’ members, Nurses’ Association, Red Cross Society, New Zealand Farmers’ Co-op., Lyttelton Harbour Board, Waimairi County Council, Toe H, Sanatorium patients, Commercial Travellers’ Association. Most of the schools of the city also provided wreaths, and the whole formed a wonderful collection. The parade state was as follows: C CK H Staff 6 14 20 Ist Mounted Rifles (C.Y.C.) 4 200 204 9th Battery. >'.ZF.A 4 150 154 loth Battery, N.Z.F.A. .. 2 150 152 16th Battery. X.Z.F.A. .. 4 15.1 157 X.Z. Engineers 8 110 31S N.Z Signal Corps 5 60 65 Ist Battalion, C.R 8 270 278 X.Z.A.S. Corps 2 SO 82 X Z M. Corps 3 05 OS A and B Company, Ist Battalion (Christ's College, fi 260 265 C and D Company, Ist Battalion (Boys’ High School 1 12 568 SSO A and r> Company. 3rd Battalion (Technical College) 12 350 362 B Company, 3rd Battalion (St Andrew s College) .. 4 140 144 C Company, 3rd Battalion (W.C.O.H. School) 2 100 102 4th <f> Battalion. C.R. (Night Parading Cadets) 17 1700 1717 Totals 93 4400 4499 CITIZENS’ SERVICE. A GREAT CONGREGATION. The Barracks were filled completely. The Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer) presided, and with him on the platform were the Hon L. M. Isitt, M.L.C., and Bishop West-YVatson. The service commenced with selections by Derry’s Military Band, which played the Funeral March and “ Garland of Flowers ” as the wreath-bearers laid the offerings in front of the platform. The congregation stood in respectful silence, and later joined in the singing of the hymn “ O Valiant Hearts.” which was led by a combined choir under Mr Sidney Williamson. After a prayer by Canon W. S. Bean, and the Lord’s Prayer, the Mayor spoke briefly of the significance ot the ceremony. The Bishop read from St John, chapter 14. verses 1-10. The band played “Maidstone” (Ord Hume) and the Dead March in “Saul,” and the choir rendered the chorus. “ With Proud Thanksgiving.” and the anthem, “ God Defend New Zealand.” The congregation joined in the singing of “ The Nameless Graves.” and Madame GowerBurns sang the solo, “ I Know That My Redeemer Liveth.” The “ Last Post ” was sounded by ex-Segeant-Major F. Pox, prayer was offered by the Rev C. A. Fraer, and the Benediction was pronounced by the Bishop. The singing of the National Anthem brought the proceedings to a close. “IN REMEMBRANCE.” The Mayor stated that the important event of observing Anzac Day had brought to his mind a few words of Christ: “This do in remembrance of Me.” Obviously, he said, our Lord recognised that the human memory needed to be reinforced. Forgetfulness waa a common, if not a universal failing. Not only did we forget experiences which did not deeply impress us when they happened, but, in the course of time, we, in some measure at least, . forgot experiences which, when they occurred, made an apparently indelible impression upon us. In some instances forgetfulness was a gain. In others it was a loss, and, indeed, a cri=ae. This service was intended, among other things, to be a memory reviver and strengthener. As the years passed by we were apt to forget things concerning the war which ought to be remembered—the influences which caused the war. and would cause its repetition unless checked; the price in money, blood, international friend-

ship, and world-progress which the war cost; the heroisms, sacrifices, and sufferings of the men and women who represented us at the war; the permanent obligations which we were under to the men and women who returned from the war more or less unfitted for civil avocations. Let us accept this service as a stimulus to memory. NOT A GLORIFICATION OF WAR. “Men and women, sons and daughters, members of the world-wide family of the crucified and risen Christ,” said the lion L. M. Isitt, in opening his address, “we are gathered together on this, 11 is Day, and in His Name; and for what purpose? There are some who say we are here to glorify war. Is it true? No! A thousand times, no! “The man who could glorify war,” he said, “is an arrant fool.” War was regarded at best as a terrible and disastrous necessity. It involved both victor and vanquished in a loss of men and morals. Sane men recognised that war was always active in its influence, turning its hideous visage against nations, crippling commerce, and converting human energy and wealth from good channels. Many thought that war would mean the extinction of the race, and there was nothing in that thought to cause them to glorify war. Men and women in the civilised world who would glorify it were now few and far between. The world was warsickened, and looked for a way out of strife to permanent peace. They were there that day to glorify those who had given up everything to fight for the nation’s homes and people. MORAL VIRTUES. There should be glorification of moral welfare. Sentiment was utterly worthless unless action accompanied it, continued Mr Isitt. All should strive to live better lives and to make the world a happier place. Drink was a terrible curse in this country. A voice: I’m for that All might not be Prohibitionists, continued Mr Isitt. “Hear, hear,” came a voice. The Mayor called for order. Mr Isitt dw r elt upon the curses of drink and gambling, and the senseless pursuit of pleasure at all times. He said that, the only way in which war among the nat-’ons could be stopped, and the threatened Armageddon averted, was by the teachings of Christ. A voice; You’re giving us a sermon “Men and women.” said Mr Isitt, “the crucified and risen Christ stands among the nations, and it is only by drawing near to Him that wc can draw nearer to one another. With racial hatreds and jealousies seething, can you pin your faith to party politicians? There,* is no other hope than in Christ. Who follows in His train? Will you young men and women who love your country remember that you cannot build its prosperity upon a material basis unless you remember God and follow righteousness? What you are. your children will be. Heroism is not confined to- the tented field and the din of musketry, for the ordinary paths of life give the greatest scope for brave deeds. “Someone said I Was preaching a sermon. That is what I came here for. This is a religious service, and a time of strengthening in the fight against the evils that are a curse to civilisation.”

IN THE CATHEDRAL. In the Anglican Cathedral in the morning a special Anzac service, at which Bishop West-Watson was the preacher, was held, and there was a large congregation. Appropriate hymns and prayers were in the service. The Bishop said that he felt a great responsibility in speaking to the congregation on Anzac Day—the day of sorrow and glory for the country. It seemed to him, as a stranger, almost an intrusion upon the people’s privacy of grief and pride. He spoke in thankful remembrance of the courage, faith and glory of the men who had gone, the men who had gilded the roll of heroes with new glory and left an imperishable memory. He would ask the question: “ How shall we most worthily raise a spiritual memorial to those who had laid down their lives at the Calvary of Anzac?” Those men. continued the Bishop, had laid down their lives for England, and silent and still they lav in far-off tombs. Who would roll away the stone from their sepulchre? Was there, a resurrection to correspond with the agony and pain of that Calvary? The people had spoken of the war as the war to end all war and of a new world to come at its close. It was realised that if the new world was to come the people must bring it in; it would not arise of itself.

“ Our children and our children’s children should never have to face the agony and loss that has been and the world should not be so bitterly impoverished of its best men. whom God surely meant were to lead in the industrial and social world,” said the Bishop. “ There was no other way open to us when the end came, but the loss has been irreparable. How. then, shall we seek peace and ensure it?”

His Lordship referred to the great debate held a few months ago at Cambridge University on the question as to whether the world would be better served by Great Britain standing aloof or by the continuance of the League of Nations. The majority expressed confidence in the League as the better way of securing the world's peace. Reverting to Anzac Day. Bishop West-Watson said that, looking back over the past eleven years, it could be said that something had been done, not all had been a failure. The stone was being rolled away, and it was God’s will that there should be raised a memorial worthy of the men who had died.

If not. it was the people who were preventing it. but on Anzac Day, with God’s help, they would again consecrate their services to the men who had given their lives. The Bishop concluded bv offering a special prayer for the fallen. CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL. References to the significance of the day were made at ad masses in the Catholic Cathedral yesterday. A solemn requiem was sung at the II am. service by the Rev Father Timoney. and the “ Dead March ” in “ Saul ” was played by Miss O'Connor. There was a large congregation. The Rev Father O'Regan preached from the. words, “ It is a holy and a wholesome thought to pray for the dead.” He said that the deeds and sacrifices of those who died in defence of their country should be recalled. While it was sweet to die for a man’s country, the sacrifice, should be recognised by those for whom it was made, and who lived to enjoy its fruits. The applause of this world, however, could not penetrate beyond the confines of the world. With Mother Church, it was not so, as she honoured her heroes not only here, but also in eternity. The congregation had gathered on Anzac Day to discharge a two-fold duty—to pray for consolation for bereaved relatives, and to pray for the souls of the fallen. The day might have proud remembrances for all. from many points of view, but it had a sorrowful side. Deep as was the sorrow, and sad as was the remembrance, however, there were still greater reasons for consolation. Those who were left were consoled by the knowledge that the departed could no longer be hurt by the world’s sorrows. They were consoled especially by the knowledge that, although their dear ones were parted from them in body, they were with them in memory, with them in love, with them in prayer. At 7 p.m. the Rev Father Browne preached a devotional sermon, exhprting the congregation to pray fervently for the dead. OTHER PLACES. A united religious service and patriotic meeting was held yesterday afternoon at the foot of the Lyttelton Cenotaph to commemorate Anzac Day and to pay a tribute to those who made the supreme sacrifice. Notwithstanding the dull and cold weather there was a large attendance including members of the Mercantile Marine. There was a large muster of returned soldiers under Captain J. de P. Manson and Lieutenant Gilmore. Territorials and Cadets paraded under the command of Captain Crampton. The parade was preceded by the Lyttelton Marine Band, which also assisted with the service which commenced with the singing of the National Anthem. A large congregation of over three hundred people attended the combined national service in the Sumner Town Hall, where, after the singing of the National Anthem, the Mayor, Mr W. H. Nicholson, friefly addressed the gathering, and read His Majesty the King’s message to the people of New Zealand. An impressive service was held at the New Brighton War Memorial yesterday morning. There was a large gathering of residents, and the following were. on parade:—Territorials, under Lieutenant Cordner; Cadets, under Captain A. P. Hopkins, Lieutenant B. Ward, and Company SergeantMajor H. P. Hopkins; Boy Scouts, under District Scoutmaster G. W. Bishop; and the Girl Guides. The memory of the old boys of the Christchurch Boys’ High School who died at the front was honoured in the morning, when a short service was held at the school memorial shrine. Masters, old boys, pupils and friends of the school were present. Ceremonies of a similar nature were held throughout the Dominion. The unveiling of the South Canterbury War Memorial Column was carried out by the Hon F. J. Rolleston, M.P., in conjunction with the service.

GREAT MARCH THROUGH SYDNEY’S STREETS.

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—j Copyright. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association. SYDNEY, April 25. Anzac Day was commemorated with a march by all arms of the service and police through the city streets to the Town Hall, where a service was held. The Governor-General and other notables were present. The march, which was most impressive, was witnessed by great crowds. Over four thousand were present in the Town Hall, where addresses by the heads of different denominations evoked many moving scenes.

A.I.F. DINNER. Reuter's Telegrams. LONDON, April 24. Collins is suffering from a severe cold and was unable to attend the dinner of the Australian Imperial Forces’ Club at the Hotel Victoria. He is confined to his room, but hopes he will be up again to-day. The dinner was in memory of the landing at Gallipoli. Many prominent Australians were present. Other members of the cricket team were unable to attend.