WHERE THE FALLEN LIE.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 May 1917, Page 5

WHERE THE FALLEN LIE.

THE REGISTRATION OP GKAfVBS. A NATIONAL MEMORIAL. (From Captain Malcolm Rosa, W«j*Qofc respondent with the NJS. , Northern France, Marsif fl. The battlefield of the Somm»«n4 f&b Ancre is one great graveyard. Freioh and British and German (lead He tWo. The Inst rcstiug-plaoe of many tt drive New Zealand soldier is in the light! anil troubled soil of this part of Pfcudjr. In' the coming years pilgrims from BritiA lands, far and near, wilt come to ihte place to see -where their fallen Me. Then is one long narrow rectangle that will 1 for ever be sacred ground to the MWr Zealand pilgrim. TFrom'the heigh?!, of High Wood, or what wag High tWood, leading on to the remaining aplinten Of < Delville Wood, or what was High Wood, gently-sloping land, trench-scarred tad shell-torn, across which our brave tfattalions marched to death and wound* and glory. j For us that must "Be ever hollowed ground. It is perhaps somewhat sad: to think that the individual resting-plaoe* of such brave men. often caimot be mailed. But after all what better lnr]r« ing place couflT a man wish than. sie vast expanse of the Som'me BattletKilfi What matters it that his grave ia unknown? His sacrifice is his Stem* oriftl. . . It will be quite Impracticable to put headstone* over the gnMM that are known, but if a National Phrk could be formed the regimeiitv tlttt fought there'night have their deed* and the names of their honored dead inscribed on obelisks or other suHaiUa , monuments, and there might be Viae general monument i>f finer conception ' than all the ro»b raised in honor «ftd in memory of the British armies that fought on the fields of Franca and Sturf ders in this war. CARE OF THE GRAIVES.^W*!

During the retreat and tho eubißjOMV advance to the Aisna, thore -were maSiy| burials in isolated graves that were eared for by the French laadownew and peasants, and in some cases permanent concessions of land were offered. The French cemeteries wore also ugetl, and special burial grounds arranged lor. At a later stage the French wvenrmeiifc agreed to provide lptf for permanent resting-places for the todies pf British' officers and men. This they lame dans at the expense of the 'French nation, and their generosity in this matter has been greatly appreciated. There are authorised burial grounds immediately behind the British front, and near the field a»i bulances, and casualty clearing stations, and the hospitals right back to the tea coasL The French ftovernmeut volunteered to maintain these cemeteries,- but the British Government has itself taken the matter in hand, and has appointed A National Committee, of which the Prince of Wales is president, to control the adi ministation. In connection with soldier*' burials it should be noted by those interested that, some tiiqe may elapse after burial before the grave has been properly registered and marked and the position accurately! recorded. As soon as this it done a notification will be spnt to the next-of-kin. This notification may bo taken as final verification or correction of information received from oWer sources.

The graves of New Zealand soldier# in the United Kingdom are, as far ,as pollible, in plots of ground specially tfet apart for the purpose. Each grave it temporarily marked withan oaken croM, on which is painted the words "Niew Zealand," and the soldier's number, name, rank, regiment, and date, of death, [n these plots it will afterwards be post* Ible to have erected a sinple permanent memorial to the whole of the soldiers buried in the locality, while from time to time, as people wish, gravestones may lie erected at each grave. All New Zea«, land soldiers who die at Walton-en-Thames and in the London area, will be buried in the Brookwood Cemetery, x-'jor? a, plot has been specially set aside for the purpose. Burials of soldiers who die at the No. 1 and No. 3 New Zealand General Hospitals will he arranged locally at Brockenhurst and Codford ri'bpecliu'lv. Those of our soldiers who die in Britisli hospitalt outside the London area will be burled locally. The New Zealand War Contingent Association has been requested to assilt In keeping in order the graves outaidt the London area. Firing parties tie detailed from Headquarters. The Ordnance Officer of tlie N.Z.E.F. is responsible for the supply and erection of the temporary wooden crosses. During a recent leave, visit to England, x made enquiries at Headquarter*, and also at the offices of the Director of Graves, Registration and Enquiries, Winchester House, St. James' Squaw London, and ascertained that everything practical flint can be done is being done to place on record the last resting-pliK'M of our brave soldiers- who have fallen in , ' the war. Parents and other relatives In the Dominion will he fjlnd to know this,