STREET MARCH

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28261, 26 April 1957, Page 12

STREET MARCH

Few Spectators See Parade The smallest crowd on record yesterday saw the smallest Anzac Day parade held in Christchurch since April 25 has been officially recognised as a day of remembrance of servicemen who lost their lives in the country’s cause. Only 44 soldiers from World War II paraded—about one-third tiie number of ageing World? War I men who attended. The South African war veterans—they served more than 56 years agomustered 18, and 26 soldiers of the 1914 Main Body paraded. Until soon before the parade marched off from Cranmer square, the sun was shining brilliantly. Then the sky became overcast and a freshening breeze whipped the golden leaves from the .oak trees over the lawn. Although small in numbers, the parade was as impressive as in the past and moved with precici sion to the order of marshalling by Flight Lieutenant F. A. Halldane. It was headed by the Band of the Third Armoured Regiment, followed by the bearers, representing service organisations, clubs and the Police, of 44 beautiful wreaths, the officer commanding the parade (LieutenantColonel L. A. Kermode), his adjutant (Mr G. McMillan), and the marshal and officials of the Christchurch Returned Services' Association.

The order of the parade and the numbers were: South African veterans, 18; Old Contemptibles, 8. Main Body, 1914, 26; Former Imperials, 17; Australian R.S.A., 11; former service women. 14; World War I, 88; World War 11, 44; Air Force, 30; Legion of Frontiersmen, 11; allied forces, 15; Navy, 24. women members of the London Red Cross, who are visiting New Zealand, also paid their tribute to the fallen.

Two pipe bands and two brass bands provided the music for the short march round Cranmer square to Montreal street and the King Edward Barracks, a distance of about 700 yards. The parade took less than four minutes to pass a point. The attendance of the public was poor. In the past, the marshalling area has been lined with people. Yesterday, only a handful saw the parade move off. Only one side of Montreal street, between Armagh street and Gloucester street, was lined; fewer than 100 were standing on the western pavement Although the shortening and rerouting of the parade had been widely publicised, knots of people stood along the old route of Victoria, Colombo and Cashel streets waiting for the parade. The former servicemen appreciated the shorter journey to the service. The journey was, however, too long for two World War I men, who broke ranks at Chester street, one remarking: “Too much for me.”