ANZAC DAY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 181, 26 April 1919, Page 8

ANZAC DAY

GALLIPOLI HEROES REASSEMBLE .

A FINE PARADE

MEMORIAL SERVICE AT THE

TOWN HALL

Anzac Hay of 1919 will be remembered as one of tho most perfect of autumn days. _ It is the first celebration of tho initiation of tho Great Adventure since tho armistice was granted, and was vested in a good deal more significance this time because of the larjje number of Gallipoli men who have since earned the right to wear tho ribbons of later years than those which the rainbow (1914-15) ribbon represents. There wero men on parade yestordny who landed 011 Gallipoli on tho fateful April 25, 1914, and who have been right through the war, and have come out smiling and bodily whole. • But, alas, thero wero many who did not have such wonderful luck. Among those who drew up in a column of fours in Grey Street between 2 and •2.H0 p.m. yesterday wore many who could 'show evidences of "the slings ond arrows of outrageous fortune,'" and vet all wero amazingly cheerful and bright. They were all profoundly delighted to meet one another, and "tell the thrice-told tale o'er again." They were also proud of their kit. Every man had resolved to do the service credit, and the buttons and badges, glinted brilliantly in tho afternoon sunshine, as they waited for tho "fall in," so monotonously familiar to them all only a few months ago. On the arrival of Colonel Hughes, C.M Cr., D.5.0., his breast flashing with orders and medals, the procession took shape. A dozen motor-cars laden with, wounded men from the military hopnitnls'or maimed men who havo been discharged, headed the column. Then came the Trnniwavs Band, under Lieutenant Bowes. Following the band marched Colonel Iluches, and some sixteen commissioned officers of all grades. Colonel Sir James Allen, as Minister of Defence, oecuviicd a seat in a motor-car, driven by Mr. Alex. Campbell. Then followed another group of commissioned officers, including some "nadres," well known and loved by the Anzacs. Tho honour of heading the column proper was given to a couplo of lines of ex-Aus-trnlian soldiers, now of Wellington, who attracted special attention with their big fuzzy emu plumes, oxidised metal badges. Tho start of the parade from Grey Street (opposite the Returned Soldiers' Club) was the,signal for a burst of cheering from the thousands of people congregated in the street and on every balconv in tho vicinity. It was quite like old times to seo the long line of Ichnki winding up. the Quay. Their step 'Was not the sturdy, jaunty tramp of the men of the earlier contingents, but it was the march of men who have tasted to the full the bitterness of war, and have a clearer notion of what they helped to save the world from than most people. Tlie tail of the column was composed of men in mufti who had not dressed for tho occasion. It was noticed that thero were a great number of "l>adge" men among tho onlookers. As the column proceeded along Willis Street and Manners Street tho crowds which thickly lined both thoroughfares, never ceased cheering. 11: was a triumnhnnt. procession in every way. which reflected credit 011 tho organisation. The arrangements Vat the. entrance to the Town Hall were anything but satisfactory The precaution to rope, off Hie entrance and efficiently guard it against the encroaching crowds had not been taken, with tho result that a somewhat distressing scene took plnce—particularly so to the elderly people who were caught in tho press, and were hustled and squeezed in a disgraceful manner. Even tho soldiers who were 011 parade had to use force to push their way through the crowd. The Tramwavs Band, which had played tho men up town, was shut out by the crush, and it was with tho utmost difficulty that tliev and many of the soldiers obtained entrance to the hall. This could easily have been averted by using ft certain entrance for uniformed men, and keeping tho public entrance closed uutil tin; men wore accommodated. "A sprig of rosemary—that's for remembrance!" At tho inner entrance some young ladies, armed with baskets, were busily engaged giving out tiny sprigs of aromatic rosemary to each soldier as 110 passed in, tolling him that it. was "for remembrance." It wa.i one of the prettiest touches of tho day, aiid jnafiy a good "digger" will cherish the' sprig for the memory of tho day just as much as in remembrance of t.hoso bovs who so gallantly "went West." at Gallipqli four years ago. The interior of tho big hall was festooned wttli purple cloth along the balustrade of the balcony, nnd at each point where the cloth was gathered in there hung a laurel wreath —for the bravo dead. , The stage was also artistically draped in purple, relieved with two white pillars in the centre.

THE MEMORIAL SERVICE ADDRESS BY CANON TAYLOR PROBLEM OF THE AGE. Tho memorial service was brief and simple, and informal. It was conducted by tho-senior chaplain present, Canon Taylor, a man well-beloved of cvory soldier who has had the good fortune to Jiioct him, and Chaplain Taylor knows how littlo his boys liko strict ceremonial. He was assisted in tho servico by Chaplain J. G. Wilson, Chapplain A. A. Bensley, and Chaplain A. Gray. Tho servico consisted of three well-known ' liymus, "Onward, Christian Soldiers," "O God Our Help in Ages Past," and "Lead, Kindly Light," all hymns which the. soldiers and tho rest of the congregation knew well, and tho singing of these grand old hymns was really very good to hear. The organist was Lieutenant-Colonel W. Kington Fytfe, N.Z.M.C. After the sermon tho congregation stood for tho playing of the "Dead March." Tho soldiers stood steady at attontion, many of them with moist eyes, whiio this inbuto was given to tho comrades they vill never see again, and many women wept. Then a bugler played that call which conies at the end of every soldier's dny in all British camps and barracks, tho call which is played also over tho gravo of every British soldier—the soldier's requiem. Canon Taylor said a Benediction, and a verse of the National Antliom was sung. Canon Taylor got on terms with his soldier audience at once, 110 said that it would be much bettor if they wero all out in tho desert in Egypt, having a talk there. Here, in a respectable Town Ilall, he felt rather different about it, and besides, "Wo havo to uso ladylike words." Then ho said a couple of sentences or. so about Anzne and tho lauding on tho first An/.ac Day in 1015. 'Tour years ago to-day was a very famous dny for most of us here," he said. "I don't know what you fellows thought about it, but at 5 o'clock in tho morning, on the deck of tho German prizo ship Lulzow, I was wondering whether I should run away. . . . Four years ago wo made what my friends of the Press have described as a 'heroic landing.' 1 have always said I landed becauso there was no hope of going back." (Laughter.) Presently ho went on to talk more seriously to soldiers and civilians. He said that tho boys who would never como back had left us a two-fol'd legacy. Wo might content ourselves with making fines speeches about their bravo depds, or wo might erect memorials and monuments ill their honour, but this would not bo a fitting way of commemorating tho dead. First, they had left us a legacy—their wives, their children, their parents, and it would bo our duty to see that thoso whom the soldiers had left behind thorn should lack nothing because thoir men had given-their lives in the war. But the soldiers had left us another job—the task of securing and consolidating tho liberty for which they had died. It was up to us now—men and women alike—to make tho world a bettor and ft brighter placo; to seek the good of others and cot our own. Tho battlo of tc-day was for economic liberty.

Things wero not looking ioo bright for the world this Anzac l.'ay. India and Egypt wero in unrest, and threatening the very heart of tlw Empire, was the dragon of industrial unrest. For the next twenty years tho battle in tho Western world was going lo be lor economic liberty. The object was a good one, and 0110 worth striving for, even iur generations. Ho must confess I [.at hi; did r.ot like being continually J need with the probability of a strike. \or was he content that troubles cf this kind should be settled in a half-hearted way—and then to wait for the next strike. It was 110 use to shut our eyes to the problem; it was the problem of tlie age, and it would have to be solved. He knew the difficulties of tho politicians were great, but it appeared that the task was one that might bo dono it it wore tackled with sanity and without "a,;sion. "How shall we honour tho dayj 1 " sa'd Mr. Taylor in a last word. "By so living our lives that the world is a brighter, a sweeter, and a better i'lace becauso we livo in it." ENTERTAINMENT AT THE TOWN HALL THE PALESTINE CAMPAIGN. Thero was only a fair audience present at the returned soldiers' entertainment given in tho Town Hall last, evening as a fitting ond to a perfect Anzac Day. Tho entertainment was graced by the presence of Colonel the Hon. Sir James Allen (Minister of Defence) and the Mayor nnd Mrs. Luko. After Mr. Page had played a verso of the National Anthem tho Mavor opened the proceedings by saying that ho esteemed it a great privilege to bo thero and associated with the soldiers in any way. He referred generally to the work which had been accomplished by tho returned soldiers. Tho New Zealand boys had never been brought up as soldiers, yet they had volunteered and fought like veterans. Sir James Allen joined with the men in honouring Anzac Day. 111 referring again to tho deeds of our men at Gallipoli, Sir James Allen announced that ho had pleasure in being able to say that the Gallipoli Peninsula would. M left.under tho control of tho United .Kingdom and tho graves would bo properly cared for by tho Royal Commission set up for that purpose. (Hear, hear.) 'It was too soon to say much about tho strategy which led up to the Gallipoli campaign. Probably soino of those present had read tho report of tho Commission of Inquiry into that campaign. Whether that was tho truth of tlie whom matter it was impossible to say. He still thought that insufficient time had elapsed since the ovont, to pass judgment on the strategy which led up to the Gallipoli campaign. Whilst thero might bo differences of opinion on that point, there' could bo no difference of opinion about tho men who had lauded on Gal'lipoli, and who had died or stuck it through for country and Empire. (Hear, hear.) They had made tradition, and tho tradition of Gallipoli would be with them to the end. Tho men of the Australian and. New /ealfinu Army Corps.(after which "Aiizac whs named) would never allow a day hlcp tho present to pass without mention 01 tho men who landed at Capo Helios. ■ (Applause.) Tho landing there was even more 'hazardous than at Anzac. (A voice: "True bill!"). There was no namo they would pay more respect to than tiio 29th Division. He did not think they should concentrate on tlieir own men. Aftor that miracle the evacuation of Gallipoli thero was other work to do. Not a few of tho men who wero r.ow returning woro from Palestine, where they had been engaged doing somo.of tho greatest things tho war had seen. _ (Applauso.) Ho could not conclude without paving hus meed of praiso to the men of Palestine. He was proud of what they had done, and there were those vho thought they hud dono more than anyono else to bring tho war to a successful issue. Ho spoke of the good namo tho New Kealonders had made for themselves wherever they had been. Now tliev bad come back to New Zealand, and he hoped that they would infuse the spirit ot Anzac into citizen lifo and duties. C. G. Powles, C.M.G., D.5.0.. gavo a sketch of tho work of the N.Z. Mounted lliflo.Brigado after the ovacuation of Gallipoli. Tho first real action was at Kantara at Easter. 191G, when they began what was called tho Tenth Crusade. In July they fought an action at Romani, and took tho rest of tho vear learning how to live in tho desert. ' At tho ond of the year they took El Arish, an<l soon afterwards they fought tho Battle of Rafa, Ono day ho hoped that action would bo properly written up. It wns worth it. It was a difficult fight in which tho NX Brigade distinguished itself. That action practically ended the Sinai campaign, fought almost entirely by cavalry, as they called tho mounted troops out there. Then uto Palestine campaign commenced, and their force began to, grow. It was supplemented by Australian forces and yeomanry. Colonel Powles gave a detailed account of the attack 011 Gaza. He described how they got right' into Gaza, and voro feeling pretty safe for the night, when they wero ordered to withdraw. The .w(l Division suffered heavily, but the N./. Brigade got off lightly, and also brought out a couplo of guns. Two days later the scond battle of Gaza was fought but tho Turks'were , too strong for them. Then they.sat down before Gaza for soihg months, until General Allenby came out, and a big movement was commenced. Ho told how the cavalry broko through the Turkish lines to the. north of Gaza, until they could look back and see the Turks shelling the attackers, hut that day Gaza fell as the Turks could not hold their position with our troops 011 both sides of them. The Turk gave way all along the line. . The brigado went 011, and finally fought a hot action at Jaffa, tae brunt of which fell on the Auckland ami Wellington Rogiments. When they werc'busv down there Jerusalem capitulated, ami they sent up a representative from the briirado to act as a guard of honour to Sir Edward Allenby 011 his taking possession of Jerusalem. Colonel Powles also briefly sketched the fmnl phases of tho campaign—tho double attack 011 Amman, the Jrizzles in tho Valley of tho Jordan, and the final round up by General Allenby. Colonel Powles said ho had been askeil many times about General Allenby. Was ho a good man? He could say tluu he was a good-lie was tho right-man for tho job. He was a man who know what ho wanted, and saw that he got it. This ho illustrated by his order to leave the trees alone. All colonials believed that a treo was only made to bitch n. ho-se to, and they used to use them for that imrpo3e. Ono day tho Commander-in-Chief came along, and saw some officers' horses hitched to a tree. He dismounted, unhitched all the horses, and, giving cach a cut with liis whip, said; "There you are, gentlemen: there are your horses—go and get them!" That taught everyone that the General was a. man who meant what he said. That incident. went right through the Army, anil no officer ever forgot it. (Amilnuse.) Cnntain Gerald Dourly, Ti.N.R.. vho has been twice torpedoed, gave sonic interesting- snapshots of life on a Iroopslnp in war-time, and told, little stones about hunting submarines in the war zone, which held tho attention of the audience throughout. To the musical part of the programme Mr. Romani Page contributed solos on the' grand organ, which were much appreciated. Corporal Henaro Tahiwi, vho has a sympathetic tenor yoice, sang with marked' oxnvrssion "When Love is (.ailing" and "Wniala Poi." Rnnpcr Then. Tiesizo, who affccts tho art of tho dissow, applied it to a. balderuisation of 'Tinpen,rv." end .ns an eneoro wildly declaimed "The Marseillaise (in hrench), his form enwranped in the tricolour, nivnte Tauri recited Captain Robert Senvice's war noem. "Carry On, and Cornoral U .T. 1\ Ablrieh contributed n. sons. Colonel J. G. Hughes acted as. director and Sergeant-Major S. G., Harrison vai tho accompanist. »

SUBURBAN CELEBRATIONS

LOWER IIUTT. Tho theatre ut Lower Ilutt was crowded to tho doors last evening, when the resident's assembled to commemorate tho deeds of the gallant men who had made the supreme sacrifice "li Gallipoli. Owing to tho absonco of the Mayor through illness, Jlr. G. Allport took the chair. In introducing Captain F. lTaybitUe. who wag to deliver an address, the chamnnn slid that he was pleased to see. that the Lower Hutt residents had not forgotten the brave deeds of our nobhs New Zralandcrs. Ho hoped the time would never como when the nation should forget its heroes. Ho read a. telegram trom the Hon. T. M. Wilford, wishing tho meeting success, and payinu a tribute to the bravo mon of Auzac.

Captain llaybittlo gavo a most interesting address upon his experiences on the Western front during the four years ho spoilt there. He read tho tributes paid '»y tho London "Times" and the "Daily Telegraph," which, lie said, should ho wrilteu in gold, Captain Haybitllo was at Homo on a 'holiday visit when tho war .broke out, and when tho call came lie offered his services and went to tho front as a motor-driver. Throughout his address Captain Haybittlo kept tho audienco interested with the jleeds of our brave men and the Allies, and the wonderful work of the Bed Cross. At tho conclusion of his address ho was warmly applauded. During tho evening the following musical programme was rendered; "God Save the King"; "Cheery Song," Miss -I'rose* der; "Land of Ifopo and Glory,' Miss Knight; "Marseillaise," bv choir and audience; "Anznc," by Miss I? en wick ; "The Heroes Who Sleep Over There," Mrs. ]>\ Potter. . , , „ The sinking of ilio National Anthem brought the meeting to a close. FETON'E. Anzac Day was celebrated at Petone with 'i cereiuonv held in the morning by the Railway Workshops employees. His Worship the Mayor (Mr. J. W. MUwan) was present. Tfe a brief address oil the reason that the day was commemorated, and he paid a tribute to tho bravo deeds of the men of Anzac. In tho evening a memorial service was held under the auspices of tho United Christian Association. The Rev. 11. T. Stanley delivered tho address. At the conclusion of the service a patriotic meeting was held. The Mayor presided. Canon Taylor gave an interesting account of war happenings. \ telegram was rend from the Hon. T* jr. Wilford, Minister of Justice, conveying to the electors of Petone his best wishes for n. successful fathering and to those who had returned from tho war weary with their labour his hearti»st good wishes for their future welfare. The soldiers had done nobly. Fe honed New Zealand would ever remember Hie sacrifice of the men who for our To-morrow had given their To-day. It. was easier h> make war than pease. Ho believed that New Zwilnnd was able and willing to do the right thing bv the men who were returning, and for his nart hn would dn all he could to a^ ; st the returning ( men and those who \yere dependent; upon I hem. OBSERVANCE IN VARIOUS CENTRES By Telegraph—Pr[*p« .Association. ' Christchurcli, April 25. Tho Anzac Day military parade made a very impressivo spectacle..' Neurly 25(H) troops wero 011 parade, including over ■JOO returned moil. The Returned Soldiers' Association's wreath, bearing the simple inscription, "111 memory of our fallen soldiers; Tlicy save their immortality," was deposited at the Cathedral as tho procession pusscd. Many other wreaths wero hung at the front of tho Cathedral. Wanganui, April 25. There is beautiful wenthtr for Anzac Day. Memorial services were largely utle'uded in tho morning, '1 lie foundationstone of tho new soldiers' club was laid in the afternoon.' Oamaru, April 25. Anzac Day is being observed as a full holiday. There is beautiful weather. Combined services wer? held this morning, and wero attended by a large number of returned soldiers. There is a feto in tliij Gardens this afternoon. Greymouth, April 2-5. There is beautiful weather for Anzac Day, which is being observed as a close holiday. Church parades were,held at all tho churches this morning.' Thero is a procession this r.iternoou and an Anzac ball indie evening. Timaru, April 25. Anzac Day was "avourcd with fiuo weather. 'I'here was a half-holiday from 110011. The ceremonial consisted of a military parade, in which 100 returned soldiers took part, vitli a few Territorials and a big •muster of cadets. No .soldiers i'lolll tlie Orthopaedic Hospital wero present. At King George's l'lace H cross had been ''reeled, and on this returned men placed a large wreath, and relatives of deceased men placed wreaths and flowers, 'l'hero were no speeches, but the Regimental Band played the "Dead March" and some appropriate hymn tunes. The "Last Post" < was sounded by n bugler. A largo crowd assembled to witness tl,e parade and the ceremony'. In the evening returned soldiers attended commemoration services (Anglican • and United), and afterwards opened larger'club rooms in Hay's Buildings. An appeal.is being made for funds to erect a memorial hall and club, but donations are coming in very slowly. Less than i'looo lias been promised so far. Immargill, April 25. There was beautiful weather l'c. the Anzac Day celebrations. A close holiday was observed. Memorial services were held in the churches in'tho morning, and iu the afternoon Anzacs, Territorials, and Cadets paraded, and were addressed in the Post Office Square. Returned Anzacs visited the schools in the morning, and delivered 1 lecturos 011 the landing to scholars, who were afterwards given a holiday. Duncdin, April 25. Tho principal feature of Anzac Day was a parade of returned soldiers along tho, main streets and a memorial service on tho Oval, where addresses were delivered by tho Mayor and the Rev. Mr. Balfour. The total number on parade was 738. Over 100 memorial wreaths wero placed on soldiers' graves in Duncdin by the Patriotic Association, and duplicates prepared by tho Women's Association wero placed on the graves by returned soldiers. Memorial services were held in several churches.

DEMONSTRATIONS NOT PERMITTED IN SYDNEY, ■ (Rcc. April 25, 10.20 p.m.) Sydney, April 25. Owing to the influenza restrictions no demonstrations wero permitted to celebrate Anzac Day, except special church services and a display' of bunti&T.— Press Assn.