ANZAC DAY IN TAUPO

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 16, 30 April 1952, Page 1

ANZAC DAY IN TAUPO

IS REMEMBRANCE Rain in Taupo on Anzac Day did not favour the earrying out of the full programme arranged for the Commemoration Parade and Serviee. There was a good muster of ex-servicemen, and in addition members of the Girls' Brigade, St. John Ambulance Brigade, and Girl Guides paraded in uniform — some 200 in all. Captain Fulljames was marshal, and the ex-servicemen paraded under Bergeant Major Tierney. On account of the rain the time schedule for the parade was curtailed and the ranks marched into the Majestic Theatre immediately on Assembly. There was a fairly large attendance of the public for the Commemoration Service. On the platform was Mr G. Patchett, President of the R.'S.A., who formally opened the proceedings, which commenced with the singing of the National Anthem; the Rev C. G. G. Salt (St. Andrew's Anglican Church), who delivered the opening and closing prayers; the Rev H. W. Johnston, (St. Paul's Presbyterian Church), v/ho led the Anzac Pnyer; and Colonel J. D Swan O.B.E. v/ho delivered the Commemoration Address. In the course of his speech Oolonel Swan addressed himself especially to the children and younger people present, and emphasised that while the Anzac Commemoration in this country was dedicated by Statute to the memory of the New Zealanders who paid the supreme sacrifice in the historic campaign on Gillipoli, it should be remembered also that other troops of the British Commonwealth shared the hardships and the casualties of that chapter of the First World War. "We are all inclined," he said, "to be parochial and insular. When thinking of the Gallipoli Campaign we often think in terms of Australia and New Zealand, and overlook the fact that there were also represented the Navy, the British 29th. Division (English, Scots, Irish), the Indians, and the French. In all, five divisions including the Australian First Division and the New Zealand and Australian Divisions participated in the landing and holding operations. Our present Governor-General, Lord Freyberg, was then serving with the Naval Division as a lieutenant." The speaker went On to rela^e the salient features of the landing on the vaiious beaches and the «ubsecpient hardships endured by the various divisions. "It wi.ll give you some idea of what the the Zealanders went through in those 8 months on Gallipoli when I tell you that the total number of New Zealanders landed on the Peninsular was 8,556, and the casualties in killed and wounded numbered 7,447.' "It was thought," added the speaker, " that that war was a war to end all wars, but in 1939 an other war was upon us, and in that war our sons carried on the tradition of their fathers, and left another 10,000 dead on the battle field. To-day, we mourn the glorious dead of two wars". During the proceedings the assemblage sang the invocations "O God Our Help in Ages Past," "Lest We Forget," and "God Defend New Zealand." At St. Patrick's. In St. Patrick's Church, Taupo, a requiem Mass was offered up at 8 a.m. on Anzac day for the fallen

I soldiers in both world wars. During requiem Mass, prayers for the dead wero chanted in Maori. A representative gathering of pakehas and Maoris was present to recall to nnnd the soldiers, who have given their lives in both world wars. "During my stay in Holland last year' , said Father De Brer, "I visited some cemeteries where allied soldiers and airmen were burried. It must be a great consolation to New Zealanders, who have relatives burried in Holland during the war, that the graves of buried allied soldiers and airmen are kept spotlessly clean and tidy by the Dutch. At different times of the year tulips are put on these to keep alive in the minds of the people the gratitude they owe to allied soldiers who have helped the Dutch to the restoration of their freedom, material as well as spiritual."