CHANGES MADE IN ANZAC DAY PLANS

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28259, 23 April 1957, Page 10

CHANGES MADE IN ANZAC DAY PLANS

The dedication of the field of remembrance on Anzac Day will this year be held immediately after the dawn service at the Citizens’ War Memorial in the grounds of the Christchurch Cathedral. This will give the relatives of those who died on active service and others an opportunity to place their poppies at any time during the day and will also help cut the afternoon parade by up to an hour.

Many of the men who will march on Anzac Day are now well into their sixties. In recent years the attendance has dropped. By reducing the time the veterans will be on their feet the organisers hope that more World War I servicemen will again march with the men of World War II and the Korean War. The day of commemoration will begin at 6 a.m. when veterans will assemble on the western side of Cathedral square for the dawn service. This will open at 6.30 a.m. with a roll of drums. The Rev. C. G Falloon will read from the Revelation of St. John, the Anzac dedication will be spoken by Mr W. S. Burmaster, president of the Australian Imperial Forces’ Association, and Mr A. S. Farrar, president of the Christchurch Returned Services’ Association, will dedicate the V reaths. The prayer will be offered by the Dean of Christchurch (the Very Rev. Martin Sullivan), and the Bishop of Christchurch (the Rt. Rev. A. K. Warren) will give the benediction. Field of Remembrance Immediately after this service the field of remembrance ceremony will be held at the Godley plot in Cathedral square. This will be about 7 a.m. Former servicemen of the Royal Netherlands Navy, Army and Air Force are specially invited to join the parade to the Roman Catholic Cathedfhl for Solemn Requiem Mass, leaving Latimer square about 9.30 a.m. A war memorial plaque will be unveiled and dedicated at a service in the Christchurch Technical College Memorial Hall at 10 a.m. In the afternoon the main parade will form in Cranmer square at 1.45 p.m. The route has been shortened, and # the veterans will this year march direct along Montreal street to the western entrance to the King Edward Barracks. Service at Barracks Seating for 4000 has been arranged for the citizens’ service in the barracks, at which the Mayor (Mr R. M. Macfarlane, M.P.), will preside. The address will be by the Australian High Commissioner in New Zealand (Admiral Sir John Collins). The Government will be represented by the Minister Justice

(Mr J. R. Marshall). The three services will be represented by Brigadier J. T. Burrows. Group Captain T. J. de Lange, and Captain J. N. Allan. This service will begin at 2.30 p.m. Laying of Wreaths At its conclusion the parade will reform outside the barracks. Wreaths will be laid at the Bridge of Remembrance, Cashel street, and the former servicemen will march over the bridge to Cathedral Square by way of Oxford terrace and Worcester street. Wreaths will be laid at the citizens’ war memorial by the Cathedral at a short service conducted by Bishop Warren. The parade will then fall out. The secretary of the Christchurch Returned Services’ Association (Mr F. Barron) yesterday confirmed that motor-cars will be available for those veterans who feel unable to march. Tne afternoon parade, he said, should be over before 4 p.m.—at least 45 minutes earlier than in recent years.