BARRACKS CROWDED FOR SERVICE OF COMMEMORATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18448, 26 April 1928, Page 14

BARRACKS CROWDED FOR SERVICE OF COMMEMORATION.

MANKIND’S GOOD SENSE WILL WIN THROUGH, DECLARES SPEAKER.

The principal function of the day, the citizens’ united memorial service, held under the auspices of the Christchurch Returned Soldiers’ Association in King Edward Barracks, was attended by a crowd of between /000 and 8000 persons. Seating accommodation' was provided for 6300 people. In addition large numbers stood wherever space could be found, the great building being crowded in all parts. The Mayor, the Rev J. K. Archer, presided, and among those on the platform were the lion Sir Heaton Rhodes, Colonel M. M. Gardner (O.C. Southern Command), Major D. E. Bremner, Major R. A. Row, the Town Clerk (Mr J. S. Neville), Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P., the Rev Ji F, Coursey, Canon W. S. Bean, the Rev L. B. Neale, Mr G. W. Lloyd (vice-president R.S.A.) and Mr F. Mil-

An impressive service was opened by selections by the Woolston Band while the hall was filling, and the Funeral March, “Garland of Flowers” was played while the wreath-bearers were placing the floral tributes round the platform. The hymn “O, Valiant Hearts” followed, after which prayer was led by the Rev F. J. Coursey. “Still, Still with Thee” was sung by the Christchurch Lyric Four (Messrs S. J. Morgan, 11. Blakeley, K. More and E. J. Johnston), and Sir Heaton Rhodes read the lesson, after which a choral number was given by the Christchurch Harmonic Society/ under -the conductorship of Mr Victor C. Peters. An impressive address was delivered by Mr F. Milner, rector of Waitaki Boys’ High School, after which “The Last Post” and “The Recessional” preceded the Benediction and the National Anthem.

In his address Mr Milner said that he had hoped that the choice of spokesman on this memorable occasion had fallen on some member of that gallant chivalry, that comradeship in arms, that bore the burden and heat and trials of the great poignant experience of the greatest clash of arms that the world had ever seen. lie could only interpret their choice as a compliment to the profession he represented. This day had rightly been set apart as a holy day. It was a day that was poignant with pathetic remembrances, but irradiated with heroism. Those present knew the immortal part the New Zealand soldiers had played in the war. For them there was no need to

commemorate their exploits, but there was a need that the younger generation should be told of the part they played and how they acquitted themselves. The exploits of famous men lived in the life of the people and were woven into their lives. The war had left behind it a spiritual heritage for the Empire in which this land could claim a share. They should remember at this moment Earl Haig, Commander-in-Chief of the British forces, who had passed away just recently in harness, serving the cause of the men he loved until the. last. lie recalled Earl Haig's order to the British forces when the

“great push” of the Germans was imminent—“ There is no other alternative but to fight till the last, and every man must defend the post where he stands to the death.” There was no need to recall how the British forces- had responded and the part our men took in it. He recalled the stimulating work of the late Mr Massey and Sir James Allen during the war years; Earl flaig had said that no division on the Western front had earned for itself a greater reputation than the New Zealand Division. The efficiency of the New Zealand Division was due in no smail part to the work of Mr Massey and Sir James Allen. Mr Milner drew attention to the great sacrifice which the war had entailed, Over a million men in the British Empire laid down their lives, two million were wounded, forty thousand lost their limbs, six thousand were driven hopelessly insane, two thousand were rendered totally blind and four thousand deaf. That was the suffering and the anguish entailed by this great purgatorical experience that the men were called upon to pass through in order that civilisation might be definitely emancipated from its thraldom. Jn this frightful Armageddon ten million men were* killed and twenty million

wounded. If the dead were to pass a given point at the rate of two seconds per man it would take a year and a hunrlred days for the dead men of the war to pass. The whole of the young populations in Servia and Poland were absolutely immolated. The world was still in spiritual travail and still economically sick from the ground swell of that terrible-and titanic clash of arms. The 'question came to the mind whether the result achieved justified it, all The position of the

world at that time was one tiiat had to be faced even at that terrible cost and frightful sacrifice. By it, the world, was definitely saved for freedom. The

war had left the* British Empire cemented in a stronger unity as the greatest factor for peace in the world to-day. It was impossible at that time for this frightful catastrophe to be averted. The price had to be paid. But were men to commit suicide by this continual international clash? Civilisa-

tion to-day was prepared to take stock of the position, and thinking men were marshalling their forces and co-operat-ing so as to bring in agencies that would counteract these excessive international passions. Men everywhere were beginning to realise that without a wiser internationalism civilisation was doomed to failure. When they looked at the Empire to-day realised how much the war had done for it. Of the SSOO Anzacs from New Zealand who landed on Gallipoli, there were 7500 casualties. These men went to their deaths cheering one another. They flung themselves up against the best devices by which German engineers had sought to make the beach impregnable, and after ninety-six hours continuous fighting they held their positions. Sir lan Hamilton had said that no veterans could have done better. No better tribute to the quality of these men was needed. He believed, in spite of ajl pessimism, that the good sense of mankind would win through.

THE PARADE. Over 4000 returned soldiers, cadets and territorials paraded in Cranmer Square at 1.45 when a huge crowd was present. Lieutenant-Colonel R. C. Wickeps, D. 5.0., was in command. As each company, headed by a band, marched on to the Square, fresh arrivals were added to the already great number of watchers.- The Square was filled with people waiting: to see the day’s ceremonies begin. Beside the bands of the different companies, the Municipal Band, Derry’s band, the Scottish Society’s band and the Caledonian pipe band were on parade. Headed by a fiag-draped gun aqd carriage which carried a kit and hat, the procession moved off down Chester Street to Victoria Street. After the gun carriage came the returned soldiers and veterans, followed by the territorial and cadet units.

All along the route to the along Colombo Street and up Cashel Street, dense crowds thronged the streets. Along Colombo Street and in Cathedral Square the crowd was at its thickest, the windows in every building that offered a good view being filled with people watching the long procession.

The parade halted and a wreath was placed on the Bridge of Remembrance prior to the procession entering the barracks for the memorial service.

During the very brief ceremony of placing the wreath, the .spectators stood bareheaded and in absolute silence. As each company passed the bridge the officers came to the salute.

THE CATHEDRAL SERVICE. “What mean ye by these stones?” That was the text chosen by the Rev J. F. Coursey, who preached at the Aiizac Day service at the Anglican Cathedral yesterday. “Every city, township and hamlet in New Zealand has its heap of stones,” the preacher contimjed. “Sometimes the stones form a cross, sometimes a column, sometimes a bridge and sometimes the stone is fashioned into the likeness of one of the gallant soldiers to whose memory it was erected. To-day people all over the country are'gathering round those stones, and, in response to their children’s query, they tell of one of the noblest deeds in history. They tell how the Empire took up the sword of justice and England’s call : found New Zealand ready. “Anzac Day marks more than the mere emerging from adolescence into nationhood. It marks the'time when New Zealand found herself and gave her a new sacrament, more than a mere memorial. There is a spiritual quality in the thought that the security of the nation’s island home was brought about by the blood of the nation's sons. We salute to-day those spiritual servants of the Empire and try to measure our standard against theirs. “This day is a holy day, not a holiday. Yet on our beaches, golf links and tennis courts many people are giving themselves up to pleasure. are the ones who do not realise the horrors of war. They were the same on the anniversary of the death of Jesus Christ, Who died that the whole world might be sAved. The spirit and significance of this day and all that it stainds for in the world is not striking home. The result is the festering sore in the body of European politics. Many of you are getting into the same old rut that you were shaken out of in 1914. We seem to have lost the spirit of lovalty to religion and to country. Dim lovalty to God means no loyalty at all to country. From little things, men change their creeds and chase giddily after false gods. To-day the call comes clearly to t*s —Loyal to God, and to your country loyal.” The choral side’ of the service was very striking. The choir sang Sir Edward Elgar’s “For the Fallen,” and before the blessing the Russian Contakion was sung.

ROMAN CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL.

The Roman Catholic Cathedral was the scene on Anzac Day at 10 a.m. of one of the most inspiring services witnessed in Christchurch. A solemn Pontifical Requiem Mass in memory of deceased soldiers and sailors who fell in the Great War was celebrated by his Lordship Bishop Brodie, assisted by the Very Reverend Dean Van Dyk, Superior of the Maori Missions, with the Rev Dr Geaney (Rector of St Bede’s College) and Father O’Connor as Dea-

cons at the Throne. The Deacons of the Mass were the Rev Father Duggan, C.S.S.R., of Wellington, and the RevFather J. M’Monagle. The Masters of Ceremonies were the Very Rev Dr Kennedy and Father Maguire. The chant of the Mass was rendered by a choir of priests.

Included among those present in the sanctuary were the Very Rev Dean Bowers, Rev Father S. llanrahan (Riccarton). Rev Father Ja,mes Hanrahan (Papanui), Rev Fathers J. Dowling and T>. Dignan (St Bede’s College), Ilcaley and Joyce.

A good muster of territorials and cadets, under Major Williams, R.N.Z.A., attended the service and with the returned soldiers occupied the seats in front of the .sanctuary. The congregation was one of the largest ever assembled in the Cathedral. As the procession of clergy entered the Cathedral Miss O’Connor played on the organ Chopin’s “ March Funebre.” Bishop Brodie, in preaching the occasional sermon, took for his textlt is a holy and a wholesome thought to pray for the dead.” from the Book of Maccabees. 2-12. His Lordship in his remarks said the Church had dispensed for this solemn occasion the liturgical offices of Easter in order that they might commemorate in their charity their tokens of respect and honour to the. gallant departed. Although the office of the Mass was a sorrowful one it gave great consolation to those left to mourn to know that he sacrifice made by -the soldiers was not forgotten, and the liturgy of the Church remembered the dead. It was questioned before Anzac whether the young men of New Zealand had sufficient sense of dhty and loyalty to high ideals to make a sacrifice for their country in her time of need. It was indeed a source of great pride to reflect on the great baptism of fire, through which our noble soldiers passed and to know that they acquitted themselves so well. It was due to them that the peace which we now enjoy was made possible. Time was gradually healing the cruel and gaping wounds of the great war. His Lordship hoped that the years of peace would bring God’s blessing bn this grand and glorious country of New Zealand and trusted that all creeds and races would strive to live up to God’s commandments and do His holy will, and the happiness which can only come from God would rest on them all.

The bishop, at the conclusion of the Mass, gave the absolution and blessing at the catafalque, after which the huge congregation stood in solemn silence while the organist played Handel’s

“ Dead March ” in “ Saul.” The offertory which was taken up during the progress of the service will be handed over to the R.S.A. Unemployment and Relief Funds.

COMBINED SERVICE. An interdenominational Anzac memorial service was held in St Paul’s Presbyterian Church under the auspices of «the Christchurch Ministers’ Association. The Rev D. Gardner Miller presided and Mr Norman Williams was organist. The service began with an organ recital consisting of the Prelude and Fugue in E Minor (J. S. Bach) : Coronach, “A Highland Lament” (E. Barrett) ; and prelude in C Minor (Chopin). The hymn “O God Our Help in Ages Past” was sung. An invocation by the Rev W. Bower Black was followed by the singing of the hymn “God of Our Fathers.” Mr 11. C. Thompson then gave, as a solo, Willerby’s “Crossing the Bar.” The hymn “For All the Saints” followed, after which the Rev J. Robertson gave an address. “On such a night as this, one speaks under considerable restraint because of the thousand memories that come on Anzac Day,” said Mr Robertson. There were two lessons to be learned from the war. The first was that we should emulate in our civil life that devotion to duty which the soldiers showed in the war. Those ordinary men, by reason of their sacrifice, were now thought of as heroes. The way they went through their training without a thought except for their country, made them noble men before they saw gunfire. Their devotion should make us bring into our civil life something of the devotion they gave on service. The second lesson was that we must keep their memory green. The National Anthem was sung at the conclusion of the 'service. The offertory will go to the unemployment fund.

BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL. There was a good attendance before the shrine in the grounds of the Boys’ High School for the Anzac Day service. The scholars, in uniforms, were drawn up flanking and facing the shrine, on which were the British and French flags. Preceded by a firing party, marching slowly with reversed arms, the head master, Mr G. J. Lancaster, and members of the staff, made their wav slowly past the files of boys and the standing visitors. When all were in their places the school song Was sung, after which the senior monitor read out the names of the fallen. Three small students then advanced to the shrine and deposited the wreaths. The prayers were led by the head master and Mr T. M. Charters, and the address was delivered by Mr M. J. Gresson. The hymns, “ O God I Almighty, King of Kings,” and “ God of Our Fathers,” were sung. After- the address, the “ Last Post ” was sounded. There was a pause during which the assemblage stood in silence. Then the “ Reveille ” sounded, after which there was another pause before the National Anthem concluded a most picturesque and impressive service. In his address, Mr Gresson recalled that thirteen years ago on that day New Zealand had poured out its blood and its treasure at Anzac. That name would ever be sacred to New Zealanders. In New Zealand, he pointed out, we were very apt to regard Anzac Day as a New Zealand day. In Australia they regarded it as an Australian day. In truth and in fact it was an Empire Day, because it was the day on which an astonished world realised that blood was thicker than water. He urged his hearers not to regard the Gallipoli campaign as a failure. Viewed from the standpoint of love, courage, devotion and loyalty, it was one of the most magnificent successes the world liad ever seen. If Gallipoli was a failure, it was one of the failures by which the British Empire had been built. In that campaign, the school played a part of which they were justly proud. When the first Canterbury Regiment landed on Gallipoli, it was led ashore by an old ljoy of the school, and was led in the campaign by that old boy till he fell fighting gallantly at its head. They should always remember that on Anzac Day the school took its part definitely as a part of the British Empire. The record of the school was one of which they could be jxistly proud. ST ANDREW’S COLLEGE. Members of the staff and boys attended a short service held in the morning, at which Brigadier-General A. W. Andrew, C.M.G., gave an'address on “ The Significance of Anzac.”

LYTTELTON. A united religious service was held at the Cenotaph yesterday morning.

There was a fairly large attendance of Ihe public. A parade of returned soldiers under Corporal Nelson, M.M., and territorials in* charge of Lieutenant G. Morris and cadets under Lieutenant E Hunter, headed by the Lyttelton Marine Band, marched from the Drill Hall to the Cenotaph. Captain W. A. Breach commanded the parade. PAPANUI. Papanui’s Memorial Hall was crowded to the doors yesterday when the first combined churches’ Anzac Day commemoration service was held. Nearly a. hundred cadets under Lieutenant J. T. Watts mustered jn St James Park and headed by the Papanui Baud marched to the hall. SUMNER. The Sumner Town Ilall was packed at the Anzac Day combined service yesterday morning. The public proceedings commenced with a procession of representatives from all the local clubs, the volunteer lifeboat and fire brigades; and the Mayor and Councillors. This started from Clifton Bridge and was headed by the Territorials under Lieutenant J. Bassett and the Senior Cadets under Lieutenant O. Johnston. The Girl Guides under Captain Roswell also marched to the hall. NEW BRIGHTON. Anzac Day was commemorated .at New Brighton, special services being conducted in all the churches. A special citizens’ memorial service was held at the cenotaph in the mornnlq;he Mayor (Mr A. W. Owles) gave a short address, after which hymns and prayers were led by the Rev A. p. Team. The Rev C. Maclaverty read from Scripture, and the Rev A. J. Aitken gave an address. The “Last Post” was sounded by a bandsman from the New Brighton Municipal Band. Eight wreaths were placed on the cenotaph.. "