IN MEMORIAM.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18407, 13 June 1925, Page 13

IN MEMORIAM.

ANZAjC PAY 1 WALTON-ON-THAMES. '

(3PBCIAU.T WBlTTsisr MR "TKK PMSS.")

(By G. M. BUTTEEWORTH.)

This year gave too th© first opportunity of being present at the memorial service hold every year off April 25th in the cemetery which adjoins St. Holy's Church at * Walton-on-Th ames. It was just a, one and a-half milos' bicycle ride to St. Mary's when I found the vicar marshalling his choir, and having paid homage to the banner that records the names of the 18 New Zealanders, wo took up o.ur position in tho cemetery and saw the memorial procession arrive. I assume that many abler pens than mine havo described tho memorial. Let it suffice to say that it is unmatched anywhoro for its simple grandeur. The New Zealanders lie at the very entranoo to the long and beautiful cemetery—six on the eastern side of the main path and 1$ on the western.- Their nanies are recorded on two long slabs of - stone resting on their sides, and the effect is most striking. The cemetery touchos the Molese road, and nil traffio was stopped during the service .; / ■ The • congregation was like a liugo family gathering, and everyono there had known and loved tho New Zoalanders who had been nursedi flt Mount Felix, a third of a. inilo away. Two hymns were sung ("O God, Our Help in Ages Past" arid "The Anzac Hymn") and then the lord's Prayer and the Benediction completed the service;.

• Then Bir James Allen, in a very, few bwiiitiftillv-chosen. words,. snoken 'ifrith great feeling, thanked the Englishmen and Englishwomen present for the ldro and care tlu'v had always s-ho\yn - both to, the dead " New > Zealanders ,4«d. to those who had recovered from their wounds nnd sickness. He was followed by Generals Sir Andrew Russell and General' Sir Edward Chaytor and Col. Myers, and a fow wort's from tho Diepu'ty of Surrey concluded the addresses.

',Then followed tlie soundinj: of .' M Tbo La<t Post,'? ond Sir Jamos Allen fully; examined the lovely wreaths and bouquets of' flowers that covered' th© craves. I liad a word or two with tho High Commissioner, but what particularly interested me was the fart that iho excellent arrangements were annually pairried out by my old and" very dear Marlboroueh, scliool friend, Percy H.Webb, M,"B E. I linve not set out th© formal details common to all Bucli occasions. "When the last worshipper had 1 1 .museii a while iind thought. how ,happy the New Zealand relatives would feel if they realised among nhat dear friends their dead lav,' and in what an histoi'ical and lovely spot. Next morning (Sunday) I visited the scene again, and took down the names of. the Illustrious Eighteen, • and of Wilmet Annio Bennett, V.A.D., who rests with them. The names on -the east side of the path are:- . ; ' Age Private. M., A>, Baker, Wellington ( . Begiment .. .. .. 21 Colonel C. M. Beggs, Medical Corps i3D Bifleman B. G. Blinko, Rifle Brigade .31 .Corporal T. W. Phillips, Mounted

.Bifles .... •• 20 Private "J. L. Porter,» Otago Eegi- ■ ; meut". ■ .. S4 Private W. H. Eishworth, Otago Begiment / ..' ... . • 25

■ Those who rest on the side are:— '

, Wilmet Anpie Bennett, V,A.D. . ../* 32 Private ' F. B. • Blaoky Wellington' Begiment .. ,36 Sergeant .T. B. < Dalton, Mounted .Rifles.'1 •.. >*• 35 Sapper Jr. Fleming, Engineers .. 39' Private W. Fox, Canterbury Begi-

ment- v .. .. ... 39 Driver A. H. Hall, A.S.C. _ . 32 K. Hamana, Maori Battalion 22 BiflemaU E.' Bout, Bifle Brigade ... 22 Driver W.;H. Busselly Field Artillery -. 46. Corporal T. H. Hudson, Wellington , - ■ Beginient . x . . ... 21, Private Taura, Maori - Battalion .• 23 'Privatia Wairau, . Maori 'Battalion .. ' 21 Private: G. D. H. Sears, fissex Jgegiment , • .. ••, —*

•;. Inthe.. .evening, when , thought it all over, ; we agreed that no"funeral mound of Cajaar'a or Cromwell's heroes so' laViishly scattered through Shepperton and I Waltoni contain.s,- nobje? ' dead do Graves 407-412 and, 908-913,.. over which we had bent our heads in mingled sorrow and pride 1 that Saturday sunny afternoon. 1 . .