ARMISTICE DAY

Hokitika Guardian, 12 November 1929, Page 5

ARMISTICE DAY

LONDON CELEBRATIONS

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.)

LONDON, Nov. 10,

Sunday as the eve of Armistice Day was utilized throughout the country for religious services commemorating the sacrifices of the dead. Services were also held in the afternoon at the local war memorials where wreaths off flowers were laid.

There was a special ceremony at Victoria Embankment, when Air Marshall John Higgins placed a wreath on the air force memorial, after which representatives of Dominions did likewise.

A great pilgrimage to White Hall cenotopath bygaii early, thousands depositing tributes. A procession four deep lasted from lunch till nearly midnight, and was o r ten and a quarter miles long. The graves of Australians, New Zealanders and . other Dominion soldiers in local cemeteries up and down the country received their tributes.

A USTR ALT AN OBSERVANCES

SYDNEY, Nov. II

To-day in the Armistice commemoration, Australia paid a tribute to the ■gallant living-in, a simple, hut brief, service held at the Cenotaph in Sydney., , A ,crowd, which . wps .so great that if, was difficult to move, sang: “Oh, God, Our Help in Ages Past,’’ led by , a massed choir of public schoolboys. . There was two minutes’ silence at 11 a;m., when the entire city stopped work and .heads were bared and trumpeters sounded “The Last Post,’’ Among those on the platform were, the Governor. Admiral de, Chair,,, Lord and Jiad.v Craighaven, and Sir Murchison Fletcher (GovernorDesignate of Fiji). The Cenotaph was completely obscured by wreaths. The Australian Navy’s respects as in the past were expressed by ringing the ship’s hell of the first H.M.S. Australia, which is now in the War Memorial Museum, the bell being tolled eleven times at eleven o’clock. A small company of fourteen holders of the Victoria Gross had luncheon with the Governor and his wife., There were similar observances in other States, Governor-General Stonehaven attending the Victorian ceremony, which was held in front of Parliament Buildings.

The Prime Minister, Mr J- H. Scullin, attended the Armistice Day gathering at Canberra. The announcement was made to-day that Lieut.-General Sir Harry Chauvel and Lieut.-General Sir John Monash had each been promoted to tlie full rank of General' from to-day.

LONDON SCENES

LONDON, Nov. 11

The pilgrimage of remembrance to the Cenotnplr was gathering strength all night long, many bringing sheafs of autumn flowers, some for a father, others for a. son or a dead sweetheart. Some remained in order to secure a vantage pla r, e at to-day’s ceremonial at Whitehall. Others departed, leaving flowers and cards “For My Boy” or “In Memory of Arthur, killed at Arras, from his wife.” Two thousand three hundred disabled ex-servicemen attended divine service at St. MaHin’s in the Fields, at which the Archbishop of Canterbury preached, the lesson being read by Henry Aifiley. The sale of Flanders poppies wa® redacted in the liveliest manner nl 1 night long, the sellers invading the offices, factories and workshops of the night workers, including Fleet Street. A record collection is anticipated.

NOVEL SERVICE

(Received this dav at II a.m..

LONDON, Nov. 11

Perhaps the most novel armistice service was that in a mid-tunnel, which is now being made beneath the Mersev. Four hundred navvies gathered at the deepest point and a service was conducted by Anerg. a navvy’s missioner.

A wreath was placed on the Cenotaph by Dr Mary Booth on behalf of the Anzac Fellowship of Women.

V.C/S AT CENOTAPH. LONDON. Nov. 1.1

Amid itbe customary solemnities at the Cenotaph, Armistice commemoration was carried opt with eveu greater impressiveness, diving to the presence of three hundred winners of the Victoria Cross who arrived honied by Admiral Jellicoe, amid tumultuous cheers.

THE KING. (British Official Wireless). (Received this dav at 1 • r > p.ni.l RUGBY, Nor. 11. On the advice of his doctor, the King, this morning in Buckingham Palace, observed to minutes silence .in bis own rooms. It was bis wish that hi.s observance should lie exactly the same as that of the ordinary man in his own home, consequently no official statement was issued front the Palace.

The Queen, accompanied by Princess Mary and the Duchess of A on<, was in the Home Office in ■'Whitehall, looking down on the Cenotaph and joining in the Armistice service.