ANZAC DAY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 April 1942, Page 3

ANZAC DAY

SERVICES IN WAIRARAPA MASTERTON PARK GATHERING WREATHS LAID ON SOLDIERS’ MEMORIAL. Anzac Day was observed on Saturday throughout the "Wairarapa, . in common with other parts of New Zealand. Memorial services were held in the Wairarapa on the same lines as those in former years. The Masterton service, which was held at the Soldiers’ Memorial in the Park, was fairly largely attended.

The address, a report of which appears in another column, was given by the Ven. Archdeacon E. J. Rich and the lesson was read by the Rev. H. S. Kings. Wreaths of remembrance was laid on the memorial by Mr H. J. Brass, president of the Wairarapa R.S.A., by Mr S. Fletcher, vice-presi-dent of the Australian Imperial Force Association of Ex-Service Men, Wellington branch, and by Mr G. T. O’Hara Smith, Town Clerk, on behalf of the Mayor, councillors and burgesses of Masterton. The Masterton Municipal Band played the National Anthem and Kipling’s Recessional. Two minutes’ silence was observed at 11 a.m. About 200 members of the Wairarapa R.S.A. attended the Masterton service. The men marched to the Park from the Soldiers’ Club and at the conclusion of the service returned to the club, where they were the guests of the Lady Liverpool Committee at morning tea. Members of the St. John Ambulance Association were present.

MESSAGE FROM KING GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S REPLY. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, April 26. The following message was received by the Governor-General from the King in connection with the observance of Anzac Day: — “At this solemn moment in the history of New Zealand, the Queen and I are indeed proud to join with oui people in the Dominion in commemoration of Anzac Day. The war has drawn near to the shores of Australia and New Zealand and the threat of invasion hangs over them. The men and women of this generation who stand resolute and ready to meet these threats will find inspiration in the example of their fathers, whose devotion and sacrifice we gratefully, remember on this day.—George R.I. The Governor-General has sent the following reply to the King: “The Government and people of New Zealand, to whom your Majesty’s gracious message has been communicated, appreciate most deeply the association of your Majesty and the Queen with them in their observance of Anzac Day. They are determined to be worthy of those whom they commemorate today and to overcome whatever dangers may lie ahead.” OTHER OVERSEA GREETINGS. The Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, has received the following message from Mr Winston Churchill:— “Greetings to you on Anzac Day. We can never forget the great comradeship of Gallipoli with its imperishable memory.” The following message has been received by Mr Fraser from General Sikorski:—“On the occasion of Anzac Day please accept the best wishes of the Polish Government for the Government and people of New Zealand.”

CARTERTON SERVICE GATHERING AT SHOWGROUNDS. ADDRESS BY BRIGADIER WILDER. (“Times-Age” Special.) The Carterton Anzac Day service was held at the Showgrounds. Members of the Carterton branch of the Wairarapa R.S.A., the Wairarapa Pipe Band, strengthened by several members of the armed forces, the Carterton Municipal Silver Band, a full muster cf Boy Scouts and Cubs, and members of the armed forces were on parade. At the Memorial Square, the parade was inspected by Brigadier A. S. Wilder, D. 5.0., M.C. Messrs A. T. Murray (president) and A. G, Rabbitts (secretary of the R.S.A. Carterton branch) placed a wreath on the memorial to the memory of their fallen comrades. The Last Post was sounded by Lance-Corporal Rippon. The Deputy Mayor (Councillor E. McKenzie), who presided at the Showgrounds, said he was pleased to see such a large assemblage, including members of the armed forces.. The Scripture readings was given by the Rev. G. S. Cook, prayers by the Rev. W. F. Stent, and the Benediction was pronounced by the Rev. W. J. Couling. In his address Brigadier Wilder referred to the R.S.A. and the part their fallen and wounded comrades had taken in the previous war. He, along with his men, realised the responsibilities they had to perform in the present conflict that was being fought for freedom and democracy and they were not going to let their King and country down. They would uphold the traditions laid by those brave men during 1914-18. They all remembered Gallipoli and in the present war they had seen similar heroism in Greece. Crete and Libya. Their soldiers were determined to carry on to victory. The Reveille was sounded by Bandsman W. Kay, of the Port Nicholson Band, Wellington.

GREVTOWN OBSERVANCE LARGE ATTENDANCE AT TOWN HALL. (“Times-Age” Special.) The Greytown Town Hall was packed to capacity for the Anzac Day memorial service. The Mayor, Mr A. W. Horton, presided and the ministers of the local churches took part in the service.

The procession which marched from the Fire Station to the Town Hall was led by the South Wairarapa Pipe Band and was headed by members of the R.S.A. Then followed detachments of the armed forces, Fire Brigade, Scouts. Cubs, Girl Guides and Brownies. The Rev. A. C. Lane, of Tinui, gave the address. Mr Horton gave the reading, prayers were led by the Revs. Knowles-Smith and J. C. Abbott, the

Scripture reading was given by the Rev. J. A. E. Preston and the Benediction pronounced by Padre S. R. Gardiner. After the service those on parade marched past the memorial. The salute was taken by Lieut. Colonel Phillips. Members of the Returned Services Association were entertained at lunch after the Anzac service by the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union.

AT FEATHERSTON CHILDREN VISIT CEMETERY. SERVICE AT THE MEMORIAL. (“Times-Age” Special.) At Featherston, following the usual custom children visited the cemetery at 10 a.m. and placed flags on the soldiers’ graves. A brief address was given by the Mayor, Mr J. W. Card. At 11.30 a.m. a number of soldiers marched to the War Memorial, followed by ex-Service men, the Home Guard and Scouts. After wreaths were placed on the Memorial, the R.S.A. wreath by the chairman of the Featherston branch, Mr 11. Lawson, two minutes silence was observed. The returned soldiers were entertained at luncheon which was provided by the wives of the committee. Services were held in the Anglican and Catholic churches.

TROOPS OVERSEAS OBSERVANCE IN EGYPT & SYRIA. (NZ.EF Official News Service). CAIRO, April 25. Anzac Day was observed today by the New Zealanders in their base camp. The troops paraded in a hollow square for a short service and an address by Major-General Freyberg, who recalled that it was the third time New Zealand troops had observed the occasion overseas —first in Egypt, then Greece, and now, for the majority, Syria. After referring to the heroism and gallantry of the Anzacs on Gallipoli, General Freyberg said: "This _ has been a very hard war and hard times are ahead of us, but there is ample evidence now that the flow of equipment is changing the situation in our favouur.” A detachment of men of the R.A.A.F. attended the parade and the nursing services and W.W.S.A. were represented. . General Freyberg took the salute at a march past. Later in the day wreaths were laid on the stone of remembrance at the Cairo War Memorial Cemetery by Brigadier A. S. Falconer, camp commandant, on behalf of the Second N.Z.E.F., and by Matron E. M. Nutsey, matron-in-chief, on behalf of the New Zealand R.S.A. The latter wreath was inscribed, “With proud memories.” Another wreath from members of the New Zealand Army Nursing Service

was laid by Sister M. E. Jackson, Auckland, on the grave of Sister S. L. Nicholl, a New Zealander who served in Egypt in the last war and who later returned to live in Cairo and died in January. In the cemetery are the graves of 157 New Zealanders who died in the last war.