“OUR GLORIOUS DEAD.”

Taranaki Daily News, 20 June 1921, Page 5

“OUR GLORIOUS DEAD.”

MEMORIAL TABLET UNVEILED. IN HONOR OF FRANKLEIGH PARK SOLDIERS. The unveiling of an honors board in memory of the four boys from the Frankleigh Park district who made the supreme sacrifice in the Great War took place in the Frankleigh Sunday School room yesterday afternoon in the presence of a large gathering. The hymns sung were peculiarly appropriate to the occasion and included “Lead Kindly Light” and “Nearer My God to Thee?’ Rev. W. J. Elliott, who presided, read a passage from the epistle of Paul to th© Ephesians, ch. 6. In the course of a short address, the speaker said that though the occasion was a sad one it should also be one of- sincere jubilation -.-jubilation in the unconquerable valor of the British Empire. Personally he hated waf with all the concentrated strength of his soul. Of course, in some cases, such as the recent war, there was no alternative, but if we looked facts honestly in the face, we would find that we had lost more by the sword than we had gained by it. America, he said, was won without the sword, but was lost by the sword. New Zealand, Australia, Scotland-—all had been won without the sword. An army had invaded Scotland and with Mat result? The Scotch Bannockburn. He would not say that war was unjustifiable. When war is necessary it is just, and when just, necessary. The speaker then referred to those brave boys who had gone forth from kith and kin —from all the ties that bound them to their home —to fight the foe. They were there that afternoon to honor those brave fellows. He himself did not know those who had gone forth, but many in the congregation had sweet memories of them. He appealed to the young men present to exercise all the courage and heroism of which they were capable. They must, in the words of the lesson he had read, “put on the whole amor of God and tight manfully the beautiful fight of faith itnd win a great and bloodless victory.” In conclusion, Mr. Elliott expressed his sincere sympathy with the relatives of those boys who had laid

down their lives. , Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., then unveiled the honor’s board, saying as he did so: “In full sympathy with those who have lost their relatives and to the glory of God Almighty, I unveil this tablet.’ The honor’s board bore the inscription: — “This tablet was erected ' bv the Fr&nkley Road Settlers’ Association. In proud and grateful memory of those fellow-settlers who gave their lives for King and country in the Great War, 1914-1918." The tablet also contained photographs of the fallen soldiers, with the following particulars: — Rifleman George Bendall, killr 1 in action on the Somme, September 10, 19111. Private Leo. Boswell, died of wounds received at Passchendaele, October 12, Private’Leslie Newell, died of wounds received at the Somme, May 2, 1918. Private J«#k Rocli, died of sickness in Featherston Camp, November 18,1918. The tablet -was mounted by an emblematic wreath of laurels, whilst below were crossed flags. After the unveiling ceremony -Mr. Smith gave a short address. Ho said they were all proud of New Zealand s achievements in the recent war, but the victory, great and costly as it was, could never bring baek to thousands of homes feelings of joy and happiness. We had opportunities of rising to great heights, but he believed that in the spirit that imbued those boys we saw something of a nobler spirit and rejoiced in it. Mr. Smith said that we liad been promised that out of the turmoil of war a new world would come into being. That new world had not vet come into existence, but he believed that boys and the nurses who gave their lives in the cause but laid th. foundation of the new world to be, and it was our duty to build on the foundations so well laid. Mr. Smith said that, out of our population of less than a million and a quarter in 1914, 1 M.IIOO had volunteered and 100,000 (including nurses) had left New Zealand, /-very transport had reached its destination without mishap, if we except the epidemic that broke out amongst lhe 4Otn Reinforcements. It was indeed a record to be proud of, but our hearts were saddened when we thought of the 11,000 who would never return. Refemng particularly to the Frankleigh district, Mi Smith mentioned that of the six mep who had enlisted one was returned from camp one had returned safely from the war, and four, whose memory they were honoring that day, had laid down their The pronouncing of the benediction and the singing of the National , Anthe “‘ brought a most impressive service to a close.