ANZAC DAY

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 18, 26 April 1916, Page 5

ANZAC DAY

SERVICE AT THE ABBEY.

GREAT HISTORICAL EVENT.

United Pukss Association.

London, April 25,

The great event that is written deep in Australasian history, under the date of April 25th, was celebrated by a religious ceremony in Westminster Abbey, that venerable building that has been closely associated with every great national incident since the Norman King William was crowned there. Its vaulted roofs have witnessed state funerals, public thanksgivings, and coronations, besides the routine Of

daily services for eight hundred years.

To-day’s groat religious service will touch the furthest fibres of the Empire. The first anniversary of the Australians and New Zealanders’ landing on Gallipoli is devoted to honoring the memory of those heroes who fell in the campaign, and opened a wonderful chapter in Australasian records. The Gallipoli fighting was so full of stirring and tragic incidents, that for days there have been signs of the .popuar desire to pay tribute to those who gave their lives in the Empire’s service. ■ •’ ■ ' -j Another incentive would be the pros- ! pect of seeing many of the actual her- | oes who returned from the land of ! death and slaughter. Of |he Australians and New Zealanders now in Britain nearly two thousand participated in the service. Many are convalescents, some are quite recovered. Of those present over five hundred were drawn from Monte Video hospital, four hundred from Abbeyvvood, two hundred from Horseferry Road, and- two hundred from such hospitals as Harefietd. Tile New Zealanders, under Major Dawson, detrained ah Temple station, and paraded on the Embankment. The Australians were under the command of Lieut-Colonel Johnstone. A battalion belonging to Abbeywood and Monte Video arrived at Waterloo, crossed Waterloo Bridge, and combined with the New Zealanders at Kingsway. The procession marched through the Strand and Whitehall to the Many Anglo-Australiahs were accommodated at the windows and on the roofs of the Victoria, Queensland,' Vtest Australian and New Zealand offices, which latter Sir Thomas Mackenzie and staff had already, nioved to the new premise's. The’ arrangements at the Abbey were complete, the massed bauds and six hundred fit men of the* Australian contingent being “accommodated in the north trarisfeipt. The New Zealanders entered the Abbey at “Poets’ Corner,” ' and occupied ‘the south transept, where they found themselves among the memorials of England’s most noted men, on every hand being reminders of those whose writings have stirred the imagination and patriotism of the race, ■ from Chaucer to Dickens.

Apropos of Anzac Day the newspapers publish many descriptive tributes of the imperishable record of Gallipoli - * .

MESSAGE; FROM MR HUGHES* ></-• ’London,.; April Dayi message. to paying. .a, tribute to the heroic dead, also one th Cairo, which was read -at the memorial service, wherein he says: “Their deaths and deeds will be sung in sagas to generations of Australians to the end of time.”

AUSTRALIAN CELEBRATIONS.

Sydney, April 25,

There was glorious weather for the Anzac Day celebrations. The chief functions were a procession of five thousand returned soldiers through the principal streets, this being viewed by immense crowds, to the Domain, where an impressive commemoration service was conducted. The services in the various churches were all largely attended. 1 Great recruiting rallies were held throughout the day and the evening. An army of lady collectors were busy in the city and suburban streets. At nine o’clock in the morning all trains and trams were stopped foi a minute, and at noon every one stood bare-headed for a minute. Similar demonstrations took place throughout the Commonwealth.

Anzac Day messages included one each from King George, General Bird-. wood and General lan Hamilton. There was a brilliant gathering m the Town Hall, where the Lord Mayor gave a luncheon to 2500 soldiers. Speeches were made by the Governor, Lord Mayor, the Premier, and other leaders, and at various church services tributes were paid to the gallant men of AnzaC. Mr Holman declared that the Government was determined that the men who fought would be the first charge on the revenues of the State. Whether individual effort failed or not, the State would see that the debt of gratitude was paid to the Anzacs.

The weather was generally favorable for the celebrations. In the various capitals the chief features were processions of troops and special services in the churches. Grfat crowds participated, and the proceedings everywhere were marked With chastened enthusiasm. ' I Melbourne, April 231 The celebrations to-day were con|ned to religious services. The citizens’ demonstration at the Town Hall and spectacular events have been arran|ed for Friday. | PROMINENCE IN THE PAPER&.

(Received 8.20 a.m.) London < April 25* 1 The morning (papers publish articles giving prominence to Ansae Day. ;

DISSATISFIED ANZACS. j

LEFT OUT OF THE PROCESSIOjL

(Received 10.40 a.m.)

London, April 20. s Dissatisfaction is rife among the Australians because the Light which is a fine, body of men, was chosen to head the procession, wh|o the men of the 3rd, 2nd and Ist Brigades, who were the heroes of the original landing, were placed at the |rear of the procession. 'There f were imany heartburnings because tile smaller men not selected remained in the camps, while the giants were included in the procession, soijae of whom were never. at Gallipoli. it r ... : > '.I. ‘ , • >/- f; SYDNEY CELEBRATIONS. ■; . ; . AN EXCHANGE OF FLAGS.

(Received 9.45 a.m.) Sydney, April 26.

The Governor unfurled the New Zealand Flag, received in an exchange of flags between the Hornsby and Petoue railway employees. His Excellency said the railwaymen had enlisted in such numbers that the Department was compelled to call a halt. The New Zealanders had fought nobly sidei by side with the Australians, who were proud of the New Zealanders. Everyone who passed the Flag should raise, his hpit^, Arizac Day wks'a' great recruiting stimulant ( there being «ue. thousand enrolments in the Metropoli^.^ The city collections'' approximated £SOOO, and it is expected the State will yield £20,00(1 to £25,000.

WORK OF THE ANZACS.

AUSTRALIA AND CONSCRIPTION.

(Received 10.45 a.m.) 1 Melbourne, April 26. Speaking at the Anzac celebrations f Senator Pearce said - ’he felt certain that if the Australasians had . the numbers and had not been stoppecr-at Anzac, they would have gone right* through. aced in retreat, only for our men the Turks' wdul'd have turne3' fhe "ret|oat ioty.a rout. |;; - said the sote-tMilghf of fcjieAustralians should bfofodrfiini| to a ttriuripfhant issue thfework of the - lirf so sfmblf%e--gun, Tlip .British people were not putting their whole strength into the figjfat, and Australia had more reason to sacrifice everything for the sake of victory than any other part of the Empire. When he looked to England, he saw timid politicians shrinking from the only step to ensure victory. The so-called voluntary enlistment stood for inefficiency, injustice, and wastefulness. The honor and safety of Australia called for conscription. BIG CROWD IN THE DOMAIN. (Received ,10.45 a.m.) Sydney, April 26. The Anzac memorial service, in the Domain was attended hy sixty thousand people. ■'