ON GALLIPOLI

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 266, 4 August 1921, Page 4

ON GALLIPOLI

CELEBRATION OF ANZAC DAY AN IMPRESSIVE SERVICE • s The servico held on Anzac Beach, Gallipoli Peninsula, on Anzac Day of this year is described in a report that has reached the Government from Lieut.-. Colonel C. E. Hughes, the representative on Gallipoli of the Imperial War Graves Commission. The weather had been very bad for some time, and the roads had become impassable for motor traffic, but in spite of the adverse conditions the personnel of the War Graves Commission, with representatives of the [Army and the Navy from Chanuk, set out on foot from Kelia across tho to Anzao Beech. “At about noon,”, writes Colonel Hughes, “when the small party had reached the cemetery at the summit of Lone Pine, tho mist lifted, the sun penetrated through the clouds, and there, far below us, lay the still waters of the Aegean, with the islands of Ilnbros and Samothrace, resting peacefully on its bosom. . . .It was hard to realise that only Six short years earlier these same slopes were tho scene of unparalleled valour and self-sacrifice, in which the flower of Australia, New Zealand, and the Mother Country fell for the great refuse. But as we progressed, many tiny cemeteries bore silent testimony to the ever-glorioas dead. "Descending through Victoria Gully on to the beach, we found a party from H.M.S. Bryony already ashore. The ship, with General Sir Aylmer HunterWeston on board, had steamed round the peninsula early in the morning, depositing wreaths on the various landings. A large concrete elab, once part of the wall for the protection of the water tanks, waa draped with the Union Jack, and the Australian and New Zealand flags to serve as an altar, and around this stood the officers and men o£ the Navy and Army, together with several English and Australian ladies. Immediately prior to the commencement of |he service a small procession was observed making its way towards us. It was headed by two little children bearing Greek, Australian, and British flags. The Greek priest was with this procession, and he joined the concourse round ths altar.”

Colonel Hughes adds that the service was impressive, and waa followed ter a memorable address from General Hun-ter-Weston, who lhad commanded th® famous 29th Division. The General paid n very warm tribute to the men who had fought and died on Gallipoli. Then the "Last Post” was sounded by buglers from the Deccan Infantry, stationed at Chanuk.