ABSENT COMRADES

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 956, 26 April 1930, Page 11

ABSENT COMRADES

SYDNEY TROOPS TURN OUT SYDNEY, Friday. Anzac Day was celebrated in Sydney in brilliant sunshine. It was a wonderful commemoration of the suffering and sacrifice of the Australians and New Zealanders on the grim shores of Gallipoli 15 years ago. Before dawn the first tribute to the memory of fallen comrades w;as laid on the Cenotaph in Martin Place by the Australian Legion of ex-Service Clubs with a brief prayer. Despite its brevity this gathering of 400 to 500 men, in the half light, was among the most impressive of the many which followed It. Later in the day there was a march by 20,000 men of the naval and military units. With many bands playing they moved on to the Cenotapii to pay silent tribute to those who had marched away with them on that other occasion and did not return. COMBINED SERVICE From Martin Place the procession wound its way to the Domain where a great combined memorial service was held. This was attended by many thousands of citizens. A contingent of ex-soldiers of New Zealand occupied a prominent position in the march and laid a wreath on the Cenotaph. Afterward Mr. W. R. Blow, New Zealand Government Agent, placed a wreath on behalf of the Dominion Government and people. Special services were heid in various churches, including St. Andrew's (Anglican) and St. Mary’s (Roman Catholic) cathedrals, while every suburban and country centre had its appropriate celebrations. Similar commemorations took place in the other States and at Canberra.