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A WAR MEMORIAL

WAR-TIME SCHOLAR’S VIEWS LOCAL SCHOOL ESSAY With the prospect of a district war memorial taking precedence over most other local questions at the present juncture it is interesting to recall an essay written by William J. Arnel a High School boy attending the local school in 1942. The essay which was considered an outstanding effort at the time is reprinted here for the benefit of those who may be giving the matter some consideration- .

Olympus, the home of the gods, the destination of Iris the messenger, as she crosses the sky leaving the rainbow in her wake, Olympus, the mount of Hell, where thousands and thousands of maddened hordes pressed forward, killing and being killed, but held back by the gallant defenders. Olympus, where in the mighty battle of Greece, New Zealand troops in the Greater War of 1940 made their stand against the might of the German Army. Some feil, never to rise again. Some fell, only rising with pain and suffering. Others in endeavouring to hold off the oncoming hordes, while others evacuated safely, fell into the hands of the invader.

A gallant fight it was, typical of aIL New Zealand troops in past years, but within the dark folds of the next few years, who can tell, whether or no, that even more and still more of these gallant lads, whom wives and mothers have given uncomplainingly, may meet a similar fate. Someday, whether late or early, the war will end. But how can we honour these brave lads? How can we prevent their gallant deeds from leaving our memory? How can we return a little of the benefit, given to us with their lives? A thought of a memorial comes to our mind. A memorial, there are many types, but what one would be the most suitable for such an occasion where such high courage and valour are present. Do we want a mere block of stone with a feeble inscription, tucked away in an unobtrusive corner, where only tourists stop to gaze? No! We want something big, something mighty tall and stately, and above all a benefit to the soldier himself. Something somebody can see, and more important, can cherish the memory of those who died and were maimed so that we might all have our treasured freedom.

This could be done in Whakatane. Whakatane is no longer the sleeping hamlet of a few years ago, it is now a thriving prosperous town, and can give something worthwhile to this memorial. What could look better on the main highway, within close proximity to the town, than a building of modern architectural design, dedicated to the Unknown Soldier of 1940. Let it be a rest home for those who were fighting on all fronts and who are now disabled. At the en- ; trance to this building, which should accommodate thirty to fifty men, should be a frame of marble and on it, high and towering above all, let there be a soldier in full kit, his rifle thrust, forward, his bayonet fixed. Let the building be a blessing to the living and let the Unknown Soldier be a tribute to the dead. Appropriate inscriptions could be scribed' in gilded letters on the marble entrance. The grounds should be spacious and could be kept in trim by those soldiers who luckily are still able to use their limbs. It would not be paying our debt to them by half, if this project were carried thorugh, but it will show them a little of our gratitude for their sacrifice. This can and should be cai'ried out. • The time is soon and subscriptions for this mighty effort of ours, yet small when compared with their supreme one, should be sought. Let Whakatane be the first to show it cherishes the memory of the honour and the bravery displayed by the Anzacs of 1940.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/BPB19460913.2.18

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 24, 13 September 1946, Page 5

Word count
Tapeke kupu
647

A WAR MEMORIAL Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 24, 13 September 1946, Page 5

A WAR MEMORIAL Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 24, 13 September 1946, Page 5

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