UNIQUE MEMORIAL

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 838, 5 December 1929, Page 8

UNIQUE MEMORIAL

TRIBUTE TO MEMBERS OF MELICAL CORPS CEREMONY AT PALMERSTON

Special to TUB SUN PALMERSTON N, Today

Impressive ill the solemnity c j dignified service the memorial to ta. members of the New Zealand Medici Corps who died iu the Grea: War unveiled at the Awapuni Raceconrs. by his Excellency the Governor<} ca . eral. Sir Charles Fergusson.

Those present included ex-memliers of the corps from all parts of >; ew Zealand, who had gathered to M ,- tribute to the memory of thel» former comrades.

Altogether there were ISti returned men on parade, including It Auckland. Among these were Cokmel R. Tracy Inglis, C.8.K., and Colonel \Y H. Parkes, C.M.G.. C.B.E.

The memorial is unique and verv beautiful. It takes the form of a sriai; lakelet, shaped like an ambulaace cross.

Each section is GO feet long, 20 i„, wide and five feet deep. In the centre of the cross, just above the wster level, is a concrete platform on which stands a pillar of marble 12 feet high! The pillar is 10 feet square at the bisc and reduced by sections to one focy square at the top. Water cases les from the top of the pillar down i; nt > the pool in a series of waterfalls.

Round the lakelet cross are raised beds of flowers which show‘op memorial to perfection. Most of the non-commissioned nffi. cers and men of the New Zealand Medical Corps were trained at A-ta. puni. and it was fitting that the mem. orial should have been placed there. The Manawatu Racing Club, which owns the course, generously allowed the memorial to be placed there, and gave every assistance while the w;ork was being done. The casualties in the New Zealand Medical Corps embarked for oversea service totalled G 62—56 officers and W other ranks. Those killed in actum were nine officers and 73 other rani:?: died of wounds, 3 officers and 50 other ranks: died of disease. 7 officers and 40 other ranks: accidental deaths 2 officers and S other ranks; wounded, 35 officers and 426 other ranks. At the unveiling ceremony Coloicl Tracy Inglis spoke of the wonderful hospitality of the people of Palmerston North during the war days, and traced the history of the camp from the time of its inception. Mr. J. Goring Johnston, then president of the Racing Club, with the late secretary and the Mayor (Mr. J. A. Nash! were kindness personified. “To me personally ihe occasion is rather a sad one,” he continued, “because this is the last time I will act as director of medical services. My term has expired and, after forty years’ service I am being transferred to the Reserve. However, it is gratifying to know that I have been able to be present at this ceretncny before relinquishing my position." “It was my proud distinction dur.ng the War to be the first Director o? Medical Services.” stated Colonel Parkes. “in work devoted not to ihe destruction but the resurrection of lile.” No officer was prouder of his corps than I, and my heart, was full of thanksgiving that we were able to do so much to mitigate the sufferings. The Racing Club has erected a unirue and splendid memorial, forming as it does a lasting bond of friendship between the New Zealand Medical Corps and not only the racing club but all the people in Palmerston North who made untiring efforts for the men in camp during the War.” In the evening a reunion of ex-mem-bers of the Medical Corps was held and about 150 attended the function.

Colonel Tracy Inglis presided. Lieutenant-Colonel J. Hardie Neil responded to the toast of “The New Zealand Medical Corps,” who paid a glowing tribute to the men who had worked under the greatest difficult ej at the front.