"Remembering These Dead Let
The Living Be Humble"

These men gave their lives. The names were transcribed by Mr J. Hutt of Fairlie from the old memorial which is situated at the intersection of Highway 8 and 79. Many thanks.

April 25th, ANZAC Day

April 25th, ANZAC Day, was a special occasion in Fairlie with a dawn and a mid morning service. The weather is no deterrent. The parade would leave from near the primary school on School Road lead by the Mackenzie Pipe Band with returned service men, dressed in suit and tie, wearing their medals on their left lapel, marching four or six abreast followed by the Girl Guides, Brownies and Boy Scouts and Boys Brigade. An army bigwig would read a message and In Flanders Field would be recited and a return serviceman would read

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."

Round wreaths made from poppies with laurel leaves at the top would be laid at the foot of the monument, a prayer, two minute silence, and the public would unpin their poppy from their lapels and walk forward laying them in a special hollow box in the shape of a cross and ending with a lone bugler playing the 'Last Post'. Following this there would be a gathering at the Aorangi Hall, Main St, Fairlie to reminisce and with another service and a cup of tea. Everyone brings a plate (with food on it.) Throughout the communities ladies made wreaths for the other war memorials at the country crossroads and poppies would be laid on the graves of servicemen in the local cemetery. The Aorangi Hall was demolished in 1985 and replaced by the community centre.

A lone bugler will also play the 'Last Post' at funeral or memorial services and that at night it is called 'Lights Out' and first thing in the morning it is 'Reveille'. Today the ANZAC Day services are getting larger, better attended, but fewer servicemen are marching. 

It's more or less a duty to come back to pay respects. You can't leave things like that in the past, you just can't" 

RSA wants top of war memorial rebuilt
FAIRLIE -- Fairlie's proud war memorial is crumbling. The big limestone structure, consecrated in 1929, is seen by thousands of people every year as they pass through the South Canterbury town. Mackenzie RSA president Mick Carlton said the limestone, quarried from nearby Kimbell, was flaking, and the pointing standing proud. A stonemason has suggested repair alternatives, but the RSA would like the top of the memorial rebuilt in bluestone. Mr Carlton said the limestone for the memorial came from a Fairlie house, but would not last. A laurel wreath carved into the top of the structure had flaked badly and had to be removed. Mr Carlton said RSA members did not want future ratepayers to have to pay for the work, and $16,000 was being sought from the community trust.

The memorial has the names of 100 soldiers -- 72 who served in World War 1, 27 in World War 2, and one in the Korean War. Mr Carlton said it was also hoped to correct the spelling in a plaque on the memorial. It says: Tell Britian ye who mark this monument, faithful to her we fell and rest content.
Reference: The Christchurch Press, Early May 1998

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Great Anzac Day Turnout
Brendon White - The Timaru Herald | Thursday, 26 April 2007

Young people boosted Anzac Day attendances throughout the region yesterday. Thousands of people braved cold misty conditions to attend Anzac Day services around South Canterbury yesterday. In Timaru, about 1000 people attended the dawn ceremony at the Queen Street Cenotaph and even more were present at the 10am service at the South Canterbury Returned Services' Association (SCRSA).  Timaru district mayor Janie Annear was pleased with the high turnout. "The dawn service in Timaru was the largest I've seen.

Geraldine RSA president Robert Wood was happy that more than 500 people attended the 9am service at the War Memorial. The ceremony followed a march from the RSA.

A large number of children were among the crowd of more than 200 people who attended Waimate's Anzac Day dawn service. Waimate RSA president Kevin Holley said it was a good attendance, with more children present than usual. A civic service was held at Waimate High School at 11am, after which wreaths were laid at the South Africa and Second World War Memorial.

Temuka RSA president David Geddes said that about 250 people attended the town's 6am dawn service at the Cenotaph. The Last Post was played on trombone by John Forest, before the crowd walked to Arowhenua and Temuka cemeteries where poppies were laid on the graves of soldiers. Mr Geddes then attended the ceremony with 150 others at Winchester Rural School, before returning to Temuka for the march from the Temuka police station to the Alpine Energy Stadium. The main 11am service at the stadium was attended by about 650 people.

A record number of people, both young and old, attended the Anzac service in Pleasant Point. More than 350 people attended the morning service held in the Victor Wilson Hall. Pleasant Point RSA president Vernon Braid was surprised by the number of people who came. Mr Braid believed the good turnout was helped by the number of children who attended the event as scouts, cubs, brownies, pippins and with St John.

 Secretary of the Mackenzie branch of the SCRSA Jim Dale estimated about 400 people attended the 10am ceremony at the Mackenzie Community Complex. After the service the crowd, accompanied by the Mackenzie Highland Pipe Band, marched to the Cenotaph where they laid their poppies. A large contingent of soldiers from Burnham Military Camp visited Fairlie for the event. Squadron leader Mark Waters spoke at the Cenotaph about the actual Anzac landing at Gallipoli and the terrible losses from it, Mr Dale said. After the service ended most of the crowd went to the Gladestone Hotel for lunch, he said.

The sun made an appearance at the Anzac Day commemorations in Twizel. Twizel RSA president Victor Payne said the town's 6:30am dawn service was attended by about 200 people, while the 10am church service figure was closer to 300. Mr Payne gave a welcome at the dawn service and a volley of three shots was fired by visiting personnel from Tekapo Military Camp. At the 10am ceremony, members of the public and returned servicemen laid their poppies at the wreath before entering the church where Major Christopher Mitchell addressed the crowd.

Wreaths have been laid at the cenotaph every Anzac Day since its erection in 1929

The old Fairlie War Memorial 1990. 

THE DECOMMISSIONING OF THE OLD CENOTAPH ON ARMISTICE DAY
NOVEMBER 11th, at 11.00 a.m. 1999

A good gathering of about 30 residents, and six Returned Servicemen at the eastern side of the Cenotaph on an overcast, but fine morning. The Mayor, Mr. Neil Anderson, was also there. Mr. Don Young, the Asset Manager for the Mackenzie District Council began the Ceremony, and he asked Mr. John Campbell to play a lament on his pipes while Mick Carlton, President of the Mackenzie Returned Services Association, placed a wreath at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month laid on behalf of the Returned Services Association, is the last to grace the tall limestone monument.  Mr. Young and Mr. Carlton, who served as an engineer in the Middle East campaign,  spoke about the history of the Cenotaph and the reason for it having to be demolished and a new one built nearer the Plunket Room. Father Jack O'Connor gave a prayer decommissioning the Cenotaph.  John Campbell played another lament on his pipes, then the Last Post played on a tape concluded the Service.

HISTORY OF THE CENOTAPH

After World War 1, when it was found that 72 men from the Mackenzie Country had lost their lives serving our country, the Mackenzie County Council and the Fairlie R.S.A. decided a Cenotaph should be built. A monumental mason was instructed to draw up a plan and the Council provided a prime site at the intersection of State Highways from Geraldine, Mount Cook and Timaru.

The base, about three feet high, was to be built of river boulders with an eight inch concrete deck, and the main column was to be built of old limestone block which came from a house which was to be dismantled in the Main Street.

This house had been built by Margaret Hamilton who settled and named Fairlie in 1865. The Fairlie R.S.A. bought the blocks for twenty pounds, and the balance of the blocks was used to build a vestry on the Presbyterian Church in Albury. Money was slow coming in from the Appeal to the public, and a Returned Soldier, Mr. James Pringle of Cattle Valley, offered to pay for the balance required.

The Cenotaph was dedicated on Sunday December 15th 1929 by the Reverend Father John Barra, Priest in Charge of St. Patrick's Church, Fairlie. Father Barra was a Frenchman, and also an Army Chaplain during World War 1.

After World War 2, another plaque was fixed to the west side with the names of 27 men who were killed, and one name from the Korean War.

The bolstered block work looked good for about 30 years, and then it began to flake badly, and members of the R.S.A. had several busy bees wire-brushing it down. It was even given a coat of paint but this was a disaster. A big carved wreath at the top also flaked away.

We look forward to seeing the new Cenotaph built of Oamaru stone and with the existing plaques installed. A block of the old Cenotaph and a record of its history will be placed as a time capsule at the base of the new Cenotaph. (The above accounts have been written by Mr. P.D. Carlton, President of the Mackenzie Returned Services Association, at this time.)

MEMBERS OF THE MACKENZIE RETURNED SERVICES ASSOCIATION   1 2.11.99

Mr  H.C.R. Dale (Secretary)	 Mr J.A. France
Mr  C.A. Gallagher		 Mr W.T. Taylor
Mr  M. Glover		 Mr N.J. Campbell
Mrs E. Carter

Dec. 2000. Transit New Zealand realigned the intersection of State Highways 8 and 79 so the war memorial has been shifted and rebuilt. Thirty Anzac rose bushes will be used for landscaping.

St. Stephen's Anglican Church, Fairlie Roll of Honour 1918

Our Grateful Prayers are due as for all the Sailors and Soldiers of the King, so in particular for the following Churchmen and others connected with the Parish:
 
THE FALLEN
"May the Souls of the Faithful fallen in Battle, by the Mercy of God.  Rest in Peace."

PRISONER OF WAR IN GERMANY
Flight Lieut. F.D.H. Sams 

RETURNED FROM ACTIVE SERVICE

ON ACTIVE SERVICE

"God Bless Our Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen, and Grant Our Nation Victory and Peace."

In the grounds of the Fairlie Primary School on School Road there is a flagstaff with a large concrete base erected in 1917.
  
 Presented by John S. Rutherford Esq., Chairman of the South Canterbury Education Board 1913 -1916

These tablets are erected
in Memory of the Pupils
of the Fairlie School
Who Laid Down Their Lives
In the Great War
1914 -1918
"Lest We Forget"

Fairlie School Hall

Mackenzie Community Centre
Allandale
C.R. Ellis
G.I. Ellis

Cricklewood
T. Horne

Kimbell
G. Blakeney, C. Halstead, G. Dines, T. Keay, F. Slow

Te Ngawai
V. Howes

Peace Avenue, Fairlie

Due to a long term maintenance programme there are 529 trees in the Peace Avenue, commemorated the signing of the Peace Treaty which ended the war of 1914-18, between Cricklewood and Kimbell, ranging from six to about 20 years of age (Dec. 2000) and from two to 20 metres in height. The original trees were planted by the County Council. 

'For The Fallen'
With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children, England mourns for her dead across the sea. Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of spirit, Fallen in the cause of the free. Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royal Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres. There is music in the midst of desolation And a glory that shines upon our tears. They went with songs to the battle, they were young, Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow. They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted, They fell with their faces to the foe. They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. They mingle not with laughing comrades again; They sit no more at familiar tables of home; They have no lot in our labour of the day-time; They sleep beyond England's foam. But where our desires are and our hopes profound, Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight, To the innermost heart of their own land they are known As the stars are known to the Night; As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust, Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain, As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness, To the end, to the end, they remain.
Laurence Binyon (1869-1943)

'In Flanders Fields'
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved, and were loved, and new we lie In Flanders Fields Take up our quarrel with the foe; To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders Fields
by Lt. Col. John McCrae, MD, (Canadian Army) 1872-1918 written in 1915

The following is from The Minister of Veterans Affairs (Canada) Cat. No: V32-1272
John McCrae was born in Guelph, Ontario, November 30, 1872. His illustrious career could certainly not have been foreseen at that time. However, his father, David, and his mother, Jane, both born in Scotland, must have relished the fact that their second son had come into the world on St. Andrew's Day.  In 1899 he enlisted as a Lieutenant in the Canadian Artillery for service in the South African War. He wrote several poems during the South African campaign probably the most well-known being the 1906 poem 'The Unconquered Dead'.

When the thunder of the guns in Europe reverberated in the 1914 August nights, John McCrae immediately volunteer his services to his country either as a doctor or a gunner. He achieved both desires as he was appointed surgeon to the 1st Brigade Artillery which was lead by his old comrade-in-arms (E.W.B. Morrison) from South Africa. He would often direct the fire of the batteries in his sector when time permitted and when there was a lull in his duties as a doctor.

The brigade was in position in Flanders in the spring of 1915, within sight of the village of Ypres and John McCrae had his dressing station on the banks of the Ypres Canal. It was here that he wrote 'In Flanders Fields'; the poem that was literally born of fire and blood during the heaviest fighting of the second battle of Ypres. From his dressing station he could see - day by day- the crosses springing up in the Canadian cemetery.

In Boulogne, on January 28, 1918, Colonel John McCrae died of pneumonia. He was buried on January 29th with full military honours at the cemetery in nearby Wimereux. In the funeral cortege, his horse Bonfire went first, led two grooms and decked in the regulation white ribbons.

Wives, mothers and sweethearts also suffered agonies in wartime. Wives or mothers who got letters from their boys and the next thing was they got news of them being killed. We forget sometimes about the suffering they went through. "Every ANZAC day I cannot forget Mrs Annie Whitelaw, in the Briagolong Cemetery. Her headstone reads: In grateful Remembrance of Annie Whitelaw, who died 5th April 1927 aged 64 years. The Mother of six sons who served in the Great War 1914-1919, four of whom, Bob, Ken, Ivan and Angus, paid the Supreme Sacrifice. Happy is she who can die with the thought that in the hour of her country's greatest need, she gave her utmost.  I think Ken was the 16 years old who survived Gallipoli, and died aged 18 in France.  She had a seventh son, who never married.  He was too young to enlist, and looked after the widow of one of his brothers to the end of his life.  There is still a remnant of the blind above the Honour Board in the Briagolong Mechanics' Institute, where her six sons are listed.  It was always covered in her presence, as it distressed her so.  Let us also think of all the other Annie Whitelaws, who lost sons in war." Posted Fri, 24 Apr 1998 by Linda to the GENANZ RootsWeb list

Mr A.B. Facey's autobiography  'A Fortunate Life' is well worth reading as he was at Gallipoli. Dymocks

Remember ANZAC Day.
ANZAC Memories
Commonwealth War Graves Commission

The three photographs of the old war memorial are courtesy of Alison deCaen. Thanks Alison. This page may be freely linked to but not duplicated in any fashion, wholly or in part, except for private study. South Canterbury NZGenWeb Project  Main Street of Fairlie.

Marching on the Road of Life.

For the cry was Onward! Onward!
Some were calling - "Take a part.
Can you help a fallen comrade!
Can you heal a broken heart?"

So I halted there to listen
Of a tale I heard before.
So I asked a simple question.
Tell me what you are asking for?
Show us the way to the land of glory.
I am like some wanders
Were the fatal words I said.
Took their chance 'mid grief and strife. 
We are just but simple children
Marching on life's beaten track.

See the old maid at the window,
Anxiety lined her human, dried face:
Unhappeniness, childless and alone.
So she sees the children playing.
Mine should be there to take part.

E. Slow