THE NAMELESS DEAD

Hokitika Guardian, 25 July 1927, Page 2

THE NAMELESS DEAD

MENIN GATE MEMORIAL.

Australian Press Association & Sun.)

London, July 23

Mingling with the holiday crowds at Victoria Station yesterday were groups of sad-faced fathers, mothers, widows and sweetheatrs, bound for Ypres, to witness to-morrow’s ceremony at Alenin Gate.

The majority wore dressed in black. A young widow wore a. lnmch of Flanders poppies. The biggest hand of pilgrims leaves to-night. There were seven hundred poor folk who could not have made the journey hut for the money collected by the Ypres League. It is estimated that several thousond British people will see the unveiling. while the whole country will listen to the service broadcast. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, July 21. Hundreds of women from every part of Britain whose sons, husbands ami sweethearl- died in Ypres salient, left ( London yesterday to attend to-day the unveiling by General Pi'umer in the presence of the King of the Belgians, of the new Monin Gate. Britain's memorial to fifty-eight thousand of the Empire’s sons who lie in nameless graves around A ypres. The new gate is a monumental structure. Great t arches 11 feet wide and 22 feet high lead into a hall 122 hv (ill feet.

The arches are inscribed: “To the armies of the British Empire, who stood here 1911 to 191f>, and to those of their dead who have no known grave.”

Special Continental trains left London all day on Saturday, taking pilgrims and tourists for the ceremony.

NOTABLE C'EREMONY. LONDON, July 24. Every part of the British Isles heard this morning, a surprisingly good broadcast of Lord Plumers unveiling of the imposing memorial at Melon Gate. The King of the Belgians acknowledging Britain’s aid thoughtfully mentioned the long distances Australians and New Zealanders had come. Lord Kyrie and -Mr Tntmble were present, and there was a good representation of New Zealanders. Those participating in the ceremony included Sir L. AYorthington-Evnns, Anglican and Roman Catholic Bishops. The service closed with the “ Last Post." Highland Lament and Reveille. The Belgian and British National Anthem's wore followed by a minute’s .silence.