MEMORIAL SERVICE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 170, 20 October 1941, Page 5

MEMORIAL SERVICE

CALEDONIAN SOCIETY MEMBER

LATE L/CPL. W. CRAIG

Knox Presbyterian Church was the scene of a special memorial service to late L/Cpl. W. Craig last evening. The service which had been promoted by the Whakatane Caledonian Society with the co-operation of the Rev. H. Hogg and the church officers was attended by friends from far and near, the accommodation being taxed to the utmost. The proceedings were simple and fitting, the Pipe Band of which L/Cpl Craig was Drum Major prior to his enlistment attending in force.

Chief W. J. Simons who gave a brief address said that all who had known him could feel the richer for having enjoyed his friendship "Wo have appreciated his membership of the Society and valued his example as a man," he said. "It is rather in this light that I propose to say something regarding him and I would therefore ask you all to look upon this service not as something depressing and sad, but rather as an occasion when we can all recall his memory and feel something of his own warmheartedness and goodfellowship. Lance Corporal Craig, joined up in the early stages of the war. He lost no time' in answering the great call which went out to the young men of the Empire.

"Leaving Avitli the 2nd Echelon, he travelled to England and undcrAvent the period of training there Avlien the German invasion threatened the Motherland. Later Avith his fellow comrades he Avas transferred to the East, Avhere Avith the. Avliolc of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force he took part in the gallant fighting in Greece. In all the rearguard actions he figured with his unit, and was exacuated from. Greece to Crete. It AA 7 as in the latter campaign that he made the supreme sacrifice. We can remember him along Avitli the other heroes Avho gaA'e all that they had in the cause of liberty and freedom, and in that memory avc can feel proud and uplifted.

"Time is a great healer and though he is recorded in the official lists as a mere figure, to us his memory Avill be ever green. This quiet gathering of his friends here to-night signifies our thoughts and our feelings in a manner far more eloquent than any Avords of mine and I Avill therefore conclude in the sure knowledge that he Avill meet with his reAvard

at the hands of Almighty God."

The Prayer was conducted by the Rev. Hogg who followed with a Scripture and suitable quotation. The Church Choir sang the anthem "Crossing the Bar," after which Pipe Major Johnston played the well known lament "The Flowers of the Forest." The "Last Post'" was also sounded by the service concluded with the singing of the hymn "Abide With Me" by the children of the Poroporo school choir.