GALLIPOLI HEROES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 97, 27 April 1931, Page 8

GALLIPOLI HEROES

ANZAC REMEMBERED SERVICES IN THE CENTRES WELLINGTON’S CEREMONIES [ Per Press Association. ] WELLINGTON, April 2G. Anzac Day was celebrated at Welling ton in glorious weather. The Gover-nor-General, the Premier, Members of Cabinet, naval and military heads, the Mayor and a very large gathering of the public attended the children’s service at the newly completed Wellington Citizens’ War Memorial at the corner of Lambton Quay and Bowen •Street. Flooded with sunshine and surrounded by thousands of citizens, the noble column was an impressive sight with hundreds of beautiful wreaths massed around the base, which included one from Sir lan Hamilton. Two girls from each school placed wreaths on the memorial, kneeling reverently as they did so and saluting before they turned away to rejoin the ranks. The service was conducted by the Rev. T. K. Fry and addresses were given by the Governor-General and the Rev. R. J. Howie. Lord Bledisloe, Members of Cabinet, naval and military heads and civic authorities attended the next-of-kin ser vice at the Town Hall in the afternoon. The parade of returned men through the streets in the afternoon was the finest perhaps since the institution of Anzac Day. The men were divided for the first time into sections of the New Zealand and other expeditionary forces instead of a haphazard assemblage. Moro than 800 fell in at the Basin Reserve where a crowd of 5000 watched the procession, which with four bands took nearly two miles of the route through the main streets, with thousands lining the footpaths. The new war memorial was the objective and the units came to the salute one by one as they passed. A notable figure was Hon. J. G. Coates heading the Auckland Regiment. The majority of the men wore medals and the parade included two Maori war veterans. AT WALTON-ON-THAMES. SIR lAN HAMILTON’S TRIBUTE. Received April 26, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, April 26. An Anzac commemoration service was held around the graves of New Zealand dead at Walton-on-Thames cemetery, recalling the 27,000 wounded New Zealanders treated in the hospital of the district. General Sir lan Hamilton said that some good came even from the war, for without Gallipoli, in which the Anzacs were the most magnificent contingent of men on which the world ever set eyes, other countries would never have known the fighting qualities of those born beneath the Southern Cross. AT CHRISTCHURCH. AN IMPRESSIVE PARADE. [ Per Press Association. ] CHRISTCHURCH, April 26. Anzac Day was celebrated on Saturday in fine weather. There was a procession from Crammer Square through the city to King Edward Barracks, where a citizens’ service was held. Air W. Perry, Dominion vice president of the R.S.A., delivered the address. There was a good parade of returned men for the procession but the absence of Territorials reduced the numbers of the troop. There was an impressive parade of Royal Naval Reserve men, a number of permanent and territorial officers, and school cadets. As usual wreaths were laid at the Bridge of Remembrance and at the Cathedral. AUCKLAND COMMEMORATION. (Per Press Afisociation.) AUCKLAND, April 26. Anzac Day services were held throughout the province. An impressive ceremony took place at the Cenotaph outside the Auckland War Memorial Museum, which returned soldiers and many thousands of the public attended. OBSERVANCE AT DUNEDIN. F Per Press Association. ] DUNEDIN, April 26. Glorious weather prevailed for the Anzac Day commemoration. Several thousands assembled in Queen’s Gardens to watch the ceremony at the Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial where numerous wreaths were laid. Services at the leading churches were largely attended. CROSS OF REMEMBRANCE. MEMORIAL AT FEATHERSTON. [ Per Press Association. ] MASTERTON, April 26. The Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. P. A. de la Parrelic, unveiled a Cross of Remembrance in me Featherston cemetery on Anzac. Day in the presence of a well-attended gathering representative of Wairarapa. The cross has been erected as a memorial to .182 soldiers from all parts of New Zealand who are buried in the Featherston cemetery. Among the wreaths was one from the New Zealand Government.

BEFORE THE DAWN SYDNEY COMMEMORATION. Received April 26, 9.20 p.m. SYDNEY, April 26. Before dawn on Saturday morning, at. the same hour of the landing on Gallipoli 16 years ago, a silent thousand, including women and children, stood around the cenotaph at Martin Place to honour the memory of those who fell on that historic occasion. “Grant us a little of their courage, Lord, that we may face to-day,” were the words of the padre in a short prayer which epitomised the spirit of those participating in the simple act of reverent remembrance. Remnants of the old battalions formed a guard of honour for the Governor, Sir Philip Game, who had marched in mufti with other veterans and had placed a wreath from the Australian Legion of ex-Servicemen on the cenotaph.

In the forenoon, 20,000 ex-soldiers of Australia and other parts of the Em pire marched from Govcrment House grounds through the city to the Domain, the New Zealand contingent having pride of place. Huge crowds lined the streets and acclaimed the different units. Bands were distributed throughout the line of march A little knot of Mons men came in for special notice. Naval men and veterans of former wars also were warmly cheered.

Fifty thousand people were present at a commemorative religious service in the Domain, after which the various units marched back to Martin Place and wreathed the Cenotaph. The New Zealand Government’s wreath was placed by Mr Schmitt, official representative in Australia. Heavy rain fell during the main procession but cleared, the sun shining during later phases of the commemoration. Similar observances were made in all centres of the other states. GREAT MELBOURNE PARADE. Received April 26, 7.30 p.m. MELBOURNE, April 26. Sir J. Monash headed tho greatest march of ex Service men seen in the city when 20,000 made a procession to the Cenotaph. Lord Somers, State Governor, who leaves for Home shortly, led the ex-Im-perial soldiers. MESSAGE FROM THE KING. [ Per Press Association. ] WELLINGTON, April 26. The Governor-General has been commanded by the King to communicate to tho people of New Zealand on the occasion of Anzac Day the following message from his Majesty: “The Queen and I join to day with our people in New Zealand in com memorating the heroism and sacrifice of those who fell on GallipoliGeorge R.” The Governor-General sent the following reply:— “Your Majesty’s gracious message has been communicated to the people of New Zealand, who deeply appreciate the association of your Majesty and the Queen in their observance of this day of sacred remembrance.” THE ANZAC SPIRIT ARCHDEACON’S COMMENT Received April 26, 11.30 p.m. LONDON, April 25. “If every Australian to-day showed the Anzac spirit there would be no doubt about Australia’s future,” said tho Archdeacon at St. Clement Danes Church. Sir G. Ryrie and Sir Thomas Wilford read tho lessons. The New Zealander, Miss Gladys Lorimer sang a solo and the ex-Sydneyite, Mr Arthur Mason, was the organist. Afterwards, Sir G. Ryrie, Sir T. Wilford, Sir lan Hamilton, representatives of the naval and Twenty-ninth Divisions, French Forces, Viscountess Novar, Lady Wilford, on behalf of the Victoria Leagues of Australia and New Zealand, ana many others, placed wreaths on the Cenotaph, made of native flowers from Queensland and New Zealand, encased in ice.

SERVICE AT PATEA “SACRIFICE AND UNSELFISHMENT.” Nearly three hundred of Patea’s residents met at the Town Hall on the morning of Anzac Day. The Mayor (Mr F. Ramsbottom) presided, Rev. Gibson, Rev. Swaill, Rev. Aker and Captain Rawcliffe being present on the platform with him. The service commenced with the singing of the National Anthem, followed by the Lord’s Prayer. After the hymn “O God Our Help in Ages Past,” the Rev. Aker lead the prayers. Captain Crawshaw read the Lesson, and Rev. Swaill pronounced the Benediction at the conclusion of the service. Rev. Gibson gave the address, which was on the subjejet of sacrifice and unselfish ness in the gaining of tho brotherhood of mankind, and world peace. He stated that the whole world was striving to gain a new vision of life, and the three main characteristics of this vision were unselfishness, faith and courage. Two items, suitable to the occasion, were rendered. One by the Municipal Band was “The Garland of Flowers,” and was finely played. Mrs Guy Corbett sang “O Come unto Him,” from Handel’s Messiah, accompanied by Miss J. Shield at the piano. The service concluded with the singing of the Doxology. A parade of Guides and Brownies was held, both Alton and Patea companies and Patea Pack attending the service. Lieutenant Shield was in charge of the Patea Guides, and Captain. A. Gibbs of the Alton Guides. PATEA SCHOOL SERVICE. A very interesting address was given by JSlr F. Locker at the memorial service held at the Patea School last Friday. He gave an interesting account of the landing at Mudros, in which he had taken part. Tho service was conducted by Rev. Aker and Rev. Swaill. Members of the School Committee were present, and also the local member on the Education Board (Mr E. F. Ilcmmingway) and members of the school staff. After the service several of the school children, with their teachers and members of the committee, marched to the Memorial Gates and placed a wreath ou them. AT WAVERLEY. ANZAC DAY. There was a large gathering at the Town Hall on the afternoon of Anzac Day when a service was held. Rev. Coles presided, and Rev. Stewart gave the address. Several hymns were sung, the singing being led by one of the church choirs.

After the service a parade of returned soldiers was hold, under Major J. P. Duncan. They inarched to the Memorial Clock Tower where the “Last Post” was sounded by Mr J. 11. Pepper. Two wreaths were placed on the monument, one by Major Duncan, on behalf of the Waverley branch of the U.S.A., and the other by Captain Graves, on behalf of the Queen Alexandra’s Mounted Rifles. The school children held their service on -Friday last, when members of the School Committee and Revs. Stewart and Coles were present..