ANZAC COMMEMORATION

Taupo Times, Volume II, Issue 67, 29 April 1953, Page 1

ANZAC COMMEMORATION

A RECORD ATTENDANCE There was a record attendance at the Anzac Day Service in the 'Majestic Theatre, Taupo, at 11 a.m. on Anzac Day, about three. hundred being present. CoL J. D. Swan, O.B.E., president of the Taupo R.S.A., was in the chair, and the principal speaker was Captain J. G. Hilliard, D.S.C., V.R.D., Royal N.Z. Naval Volunteer Reserve. Also on the platform were the Rev. C. G. G. Salt, the Rev. W. Skey, L.Th., the Rev. W. H. Nicholas, and the Rev. A. J. E. Grange. Prior to the service men of the Taupo Returned Services Association assembled in Tongariro Street, to gether with the Girls Life Brigade, Ambulance, St. John Ambulanee NursBoy Scouts, Girl Buides, St. John ing Division, St. John Ambulanee Cadets, and a detachment of pupils of the Taupo District High SchooL

The units mentioned fell in under the command of Lieut. C. Currie, with the 1914/18 returned men on the right, ten strong, next being the returned men of the second world war. A cc ompany ing the first world war veterans wras a Boer war veteran, Mr S. W illiams. Gol. Swan then took charge, and the parade marched to the Majestic Theatre. Following the singing of the National Anthem, Gol. Swan spoke brief* ly to the children present, on the significance of Anzac Day, and the Rev. W. Skey took the open ing prayer. In his address Caotain liilHard mentioned that it was significant that representatives of three, and possibly four generations, should thus gather to honour men from the district who had given their lives for our freedom, sacrificing their tomorrows for our today. Their passing left us grave and serious re~ sponsibilities, the charge never to allow ouir green and pleasant land to fall into an unwatched and unguarded state. It was our duty to inculcate in the young a sense of the sacrifices made, so that in case of need they wmuld wlllingly and soberly take up the the defence of their heritage. It wras a day of Remembrance, but also a day of celebration, for out of the agony and shining eourage of shell-swept Gallipoli beaches our New Zeland Nation had been born and consecrated. The Rev. W. H. Nicholas led in the Anzac Pr'ayer, which was followred by one minute silence and the recitation closing prayer wras taken by the Rev. of "We Will Remember Them." The C. G. G. Salt. The hymns sung were 40 God, Our Help in Ages Fast," Kipling's "Lest We Forget," and "God Defend Nev/ Zeaiand."