ARMISTICE DAY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 267, 12 November 1945, Page 4

ARMISTICE DAY

OBSERVANCE IN WANGANUI

SERVICE AT CENOTAPH Armistice Day was observed in the British Commonwealth of Nations yesterday. the occasion being the 27th. anniversary of the armistice which brought World War I to an end. The day also had special significance because it was the first observance since peace had again been restored after the end of World War 11. Services of remembrance were held in all parts of New Zealand. The Wanganui Returned Services’ Association held a drumhead service at the Cenotaph, Queen’s Park Domain yesterday afternoon. Returned men representing veterans of three wars paraded at their rooms in St. Hill Street and marched to the Cenotaph headed by the Wanganui Garrison Band. Perfect weather favoured the occasion and added something to the impressive nature of the service, which was conducted by the Rev. H. W. Austin, C.F. Many citizens assembled round the Cenotaph in the bright sunshine and took part. “His Majesty the King has asked I hat Armistice Day should be observed as a day of remembrance of that mighty host of men and women who, in the two world waYs, offered themselves for us, then- friends,” said Mr. Austin, opening the service. “ ‘Greater, love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend.’ ” Let us remember and year bv year humbly acknowledge our debt.” The service included the hymns, “O God. Our Hein in Ages Past,"'Rudy ard Kipling’s “Recessional,’’ and “Aurelia." Acts of remembrance resolve were led by the padre. The speaker was the Rev. M. Underhill, C.F. “Once a year we are asked to meet in a spirit of remembrance," said Mr. Underhill, who added that this service was essentially religious in character because of the marked connection between the men and women who had fallen and religion. There was much that this generation and the generation to come were asked to remember; not the false glamour of war, but the deeds of sacrifice and courage. The men who had fought overseas brought back memories of many things, one of these being comradeship. They went away as average members of a crowd, but came back as blood brothers. “We know now how much good there is hi our fellow citizen,” Mr. Underhill added. “We know what physical fear is like and what it is to live together under conditions of difficulty and danger. “I once thought it would be nice to have a row of medals, but after lying for some time in a tre. ch under -ire, I found myself plucking off all these imaginary medals one by one. We can appreciate the courage of those who won decorations. But some people will say that courage is a kind of a gift, that is either born in you or not. Courage is not a gift. It is something that you achieve. That is another lesson brought back from the war.”

A further lesson learnt was the wastage of war. Things happened that seemed to be beyond reason. And then there were the v’idows and orphans of those who had fallen, and the prospects of the coming winter in Europe, with hunger, sickness and want for the people in those devastated countries. This was the grim side which robbed war of its glamour. Another great lesson learnt was the need for prayer and religion in the lives of men. “We meet to remember the fallen, not by looking backwards but by looking to the future,” said the speaker. “All the energies which we put into war must now be put into peace. Practically the whole of this country will dare anything and go anywhere for duty if the case is made clear. We must go forward and do our duty for peace." After the Benediction given by Mr. Underhill, the service concluded with the “Last Post” and the “Reveille.” Pupils of the Wanganui Girls’ College held their Dav of Remembrance service at the college on Friday morning, when the head prefect conducted the service and gave the address. The silver collection for disabled soldiers and other patriotic purposes totalled £l9 17s. including the staff’s contribution of £3 6s.