FRANCE AND AUSTRALIA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18021, 9 November 1920, Page 5

FRANCE AND AUSTRALIA

HISTORIC CEREMONY AT AMIENS. IN MEMORY OF HEROIC BROTHERS-IN-ARMS. Received Nov. 8, 5.5 p.m. PARIS, Nov. 8. I A memorable and most inspiring I ceremony took place at Amiens today, when a tablet to the memory of Australians who fell during the critical fighting in that district was unveiled in the Cathedral. Mgr. Delaville, Bishop of Amiens, received Foch at the entrance to the Cathedral. An imposing procession made its way to the place amid the thrilling strains of the organ. The cathedral was packed. The bishop, after Mass, delivered a patriotic address. His ringing voice was heard in every part of the building. He described in language which strongly moved the vast congregation, the decisive operations in which the Australians so prominently and successfully participated, their prowess at Villers Bretonneux and elsewhere in the vicinity, and their tremendous sacrifice, as shown by the thousands of graves strewn over the Somme plains. He said the memory of the Australian troops would never die in the laud they watered with their blood. Though they came from a country far away, they were now reunited with their dead French comrades in Paradise, where there were no frontiers. The peoples also of France and Australia would be united evermore through that sacrifice. The citizens of Amiens would guard the memory of the Australian dead who had fallen on the soil of France. The French nation, which was one great family when it gathered round its altars, would evoke the image of those valiant Australian soldiers who had fallen with the sons of France in the defence of liberty, humanity and civilisation. He concluded with an eloquent tribute to Foch. Two empty graves had been built with sods of turf side by side before the steps leading to the altar. The graves were flanked by bayonetted rifles stacked iu military fashion on either side. A cross on one grave was surmounted by an Australian steel helmet, and below it the inscription of one word “Australia.” The cross on the other grave bore a French helmet, also the French tricolour cockade. Both graves were covered with fresh flowers—roses and carnations. A card on an Australian wreath, in a woman’s handwriting read; "In ever loving memory of all our dear Australians who so nobly made the sacrifice. From an Australian.”- A card on the French grave, in the same handwriting, read “Deepest sympathy with the French who nobly made the sacrifice.” At the close of the Bishop’s address a procession was formed of Australian soldiers,- who lined the flower-wreathed pillars. The Bishop unveiled a tablet, on which is an inscription, both in French and English. Al eyes -were now fixed on the simple white tablet, decorated with palms. Foch unveiled it. There were a few minutes of silence. Then the "Last Post” of the bugles’ staccato blasts rang through the cathedral, accentuating the pathos and emotion shown on the faces of the congregation, which included manyBritish and Australian soldiers working on the war graves on the Somme. At a subsequent luncheon, over which Mr. Fisher presided, Foch expressed profound gratitude to the Australian troops. In Australia’s resources of men and material, the French, command always found strength. The Australians, by their wonderful attack on Villers, and their valour afterwards, made the task of the High Command very easy. Mr. Fisher proposed the spirit of France. He paid an eloquent tribute to the French troops, also to the work of the women and children iu wartime. Ali the French guests wore small Australian flags in their buttonholes. The Cathedral ceremonies created a most profound impression of sincerity. The spectacle of small French children laying fresh flowers and green turf on the Australian graves and kneeling and praying beside it, was inexpressibly touching. Many people were affected to tears. Among those welcoming Foch were General Wyatt (representing the King), Mr. Fisher (Australian High Commissioner), Colonel Desatge (representing the Colonial Office) Lords Middleton and Riddell, General MacDonagh and Agents-Gen-eral. Mr. Fisher gave a reception at the Hotel du Rhin.