“GARRY ON”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 April 1941, Page 5

“GARRY ON”

MESSAGE OF ANZAC DAY ENGLAND’S FINEST HOUR. ADDRESS BY VEN. ARCHDEACON E. J. RICH. “This Anzac Day comes to ns with an even deeper significance and more compelling appeal Ilian any that has gone before it.” said the Veil | Archdeacon E. -J. Rich, speaking at yesterday’s Anzac Day service in Alastertou Park. “For us this day is sacred: it marks the emolument of our land among the nations. It reminds us of the cost we paid for tlrnt heritage, the cost which in our various ways we must always pay. if we are to prove worthy of those who have gone before. “It is of them that this day must speak to us first of all —the friends of former years—those who stood with us through thick and thin. who faced hardships and setbacks and failures and yet carried on with undaunted courage and indomitable faith until the work they set to do was accomplished, their duty done and victory won.' Yes, we can never forget them and many a memory flashed again into the mind in that sacred silence wo observed just now and somehow they were very near us then and bade us think of how it is today. “For now, not far away from the spot where the first Anzacs proved their worth there stands another band of Anzacs. holding the fort of civilisation and honour and liberty against tremendous odds, ready to dare and die that we may live, worthy sons of noble sires, scorning the way of selfish ease, revealing that the torch the first Anzacs kindled in many a battlefield still burns brightly within our race, asserting that come what will, be the odds never so heavy, the light of freedom, of justice, of unselfish service has not yet been quenched and never shall be as long as the spark of manliness can still find a Christian land in which to make its home. “Today we greet them,” said Archdeacon Rich, “knowing well how they endure and our grateful proud remembrance of the men we knew and loved in days gone by passes into a prayer for those who carry on the fight for justice and for freedom. There they stand —gone to the help of gallant allies who preferred death to dishonour, teaching us once again that worthwhile life can never be measured in length of days alone. Life is something greater far than mere existence — purpose, ideals. accomplishments—these are the measures which test and judge. “And today our men add new lustre to the glorious name of Anzac. From this and every corner of our land they join with comrades of the Empire and with free men everywhere—dedicated to the. supreme cause of saving our world from degradation and slavery of body, mind and soul. That is the spirit which inspires them. Nothing else could explain their endurance, their devotion, their courage. “For us Anzac Day has an appeal which is spiritual, an appeal which grows deeper and stronger as the years go by,” said the Archdeacon. "Once again we see it proved that it is the spirit which matters most —the spirit of man, fired, invigorated and energised by a great ideal, can never consent to be crushed. Though bombs and shells shatter its every monument and rob it of its every possession yet this is England’s finest hour. The spirit of the great Motherland has passed into us, her children—that spirit will enable us to carry on. “But only if. we. like those we remember today—the old' and the new Anzacs—are utterly dedicated to the common cause. Anzac Day was first consecrated by men who gave their all for an ideal —it is consecrated anew today by men and women who by their exploits are proving worthy of the noblest traditions of all time. Let us consecrate it too by our utter devotion to the task that we carry on. through stress and storm, their triumph and victory to the better world of which we dream.

“Carry on, that is a phrase which speaks to the heart of every Digger.” said Archdeacon Rich. “I remember how one day there was brought to an advance dressing station a soldier sadly wounded. All that could be done was done and as he passed on those near heard his dying words: ‘God,’ he said ‘life has been worth while’ and then louder he cried: ‘Diggers, carry on!’

“Carry on, in face of all that comes, carry on. that is the message of this Anzac Day to us.” said the Archdeacon “carry on until our task has been achieved and this evil menace removed for ever from our earth.

‘No easy hopes or lies Shall bring us to our goal, But. iron sacrifice. of body, will and soul. There is but one task for all— For each one life to give. Who stands if freedom fall? Who dies if England lives?’ ”