A GRAND TRIBUTE

Hokitika Guardian, 9 November 1920, Page 4

A GRAND TRIBUTE

BY PEOPLE OF Fit A NOE,

fAUSTUAI/lAN & N.Z. CABLE ABSOCIAT/ON]

PARIS, November 3. At Amiens City, a grand tribute to the Australian soldiers from the people of France was paid in recognition of the defence of Amiens. It took place i-n tlio famous Cathedral df-Amiens. The Bishop of Amiens and M. Wclsville ltabal, tlio manager of the ceremony received Marshal Foeli and other notables at the entrarice of the Cathedral. Jheio was an imposing procession. It made it.’ way up to the Cathedral amid the thruling strains- of the organ. The Cathedral was packed.

Tlic Bishop of Amiens, after Mass delivered a patriotic address and his ringing voice was heard in every • par; of the vast building. .

The Bishop described, in language which strongly moved the vast congregation, the decisive operations in which j the ’Australians had, so prominently and so successfully participated. He euln'gised their prowess at Villers Br’ttonneux and elsewhere in, the vicinity of Amiens and spoke ,of their tremendous sacrifices. They had, ho said, been shot by the thousands. “Their graves to-day are strewn over the great Somme .plains.” , “The memory of the -Australian troops will die, ip this land which they ( watered with their blood.’ He declared: “Though they came from their own country, far away on the Southern seas, they ajrc now reunited with their dead French com rad -s in paradise. In where thee are no frontiers. The people also of France, and of Australia wilt be united for evermore through that great sacrifice.' ’ The citizens of Amiens, said the Bishop would guard well the memory of the brave Australian, dead who had

fallen on the soil, of France. The French nation, which wls one great family when it gathered round its altars would “evoke the image of those valiant Australian soldiers, who have fallen, with the sons of France in defence of liberty, of humanity and of civilisation.” ~ . The Bishop concluded with an eloquent tribute to Marshal Foch. Two empty graves had been built, with sods of turf, side by side before the steps leading to i the altar, l'he graves were flanked by bayonetted rifles, stacked in the military fashion on either side. The cross on one yave was surmounted by an Australian steel helmet, and also the French tri-colour Cockade. Both graves were , -foveral with fresh flowers, roses and 'carnations. A card on the Australian wreath, in woman’s handwriting, road: “In

ever loving memory of all our den - Australians who so nobly made tin sacrifice” —from an Australian. A card on the French grave, in tlio same handwriting, read: “Deepest sympathy witli the French, who nobly made the sacrifice.” It was a most pathetic ceremony that will be remembered at Amierts. Future Australian pilgrims will find in the Cathedral choir there a. pious monument, illustrating a battle field grave, which was consecrated to-day. It is not only a souvenir of Australia’s g|rief, but a splendid French tribute. There is a white marble tablet at the entrance, decorated with sprigs of wattle and wreaths, with many touching inscriptions, written by women’s hands. Marshal Foch presided at the main ceremony. He was accompanied .by

Lord Sackville West, British Military Attache at Paris. The Marshal was 'received at the Amiens Station by General Pfiilliport, representing the French President and M. Morin, the Prefect of the Somme, representing the French Premier.

• There were Australian representatives, and also the members of the Amiens municipality. A vast crowd at the station gave an ovation to Marshal ,Foeh, who proceeded through

t-rooplined streets to the Hotel Durbin where a reception was held. It wathen that he proceeded to the Catlic dr al. 1

In tli Cathedral at the close of the address of the Bishop of Arnicas a procession was. formed of Australian soldiers, who lined the. flower-wre.ithed pillars. The Bishop then unveiled *u tablet on which is an inscription, both in French and English. All eyes were now fixed on. tho simple , white tablet decoi’ated with palms. Marshal Foci) unveiled itf There were a few minutes, of silence. Then the Last Post was sounded on the bugles. Their staccato blasts rang through the Cathedral accentuating pathos and emotion that wore shown on the faces of the' co tgregation.

Tlie congregation included many British and Australian soldiers, who are working on war graves on the Somme. Subsequently there was a luncheon, over which Mr Andrew Fisher, Australian High Commissioner, presided. Marshal Focli, in\an address expressed his profound gratitude to Australion troops. In Australia’s resources oi men and material, lie said, the French Command had always found strength The Australians, by their wonderful, at tack on Villers, and their valour afterwards had made the task of the High Command very easy. The Chairman proposed the toast: “The Spirit of France”. He paid an eloquent tribute to the French tioops, and also to th;e work of the French women and children in wartime. All the. Flrench guests wore small Australian flags in their buttonholes. The Cathedral ceremonies created the most profound impression of, sincerity The spectacle, of small French children laying fresh flowers and green turf on the Australian grave, and kneeling and praying beside it was an inexpressibly touching one and many people were affected to tears.

Among those welcoming Majrslial Focli wore General Wyatt (representing the King), Mr A. Fisher (High Commission), Colhnel D, Estage, representing the Colonial Office), Lords Middleton and Riddell, General MacDonagh, and the Australian Agents-General. Mr A. Fisher gave a. reception at the Hotel Du Rhein at the conclusion.