‘THIS HOLY SPOT’
Cross of Sacrifice

THEY came from all suburbs to The Cross of Sacrifice in the Toowong Cemetery.

There were men with medals and ribbons, wives and mothers, and other women in black, and the little ones who know naught of war except what it had graved in the characters of their elders.

They brought marguerites, while daisies, roses, chrysanthemums and dahlias to lay at a common symbol for men who had been burled thousands of miles away.

The flowers would die quickly but for the moment they were fresh and colourful token of poignant memories and respect.

“No church has included them in its saints’ calendar,” said Canon D.J. Garland [ David John Garland ] who, with Rev. N.C. Bertram [ Neil Colin Campbell Bertram ], conducted the service.

“But we have made this day sacred by declaring that it shall be observed as different from other days.

“We lift those whose memory we honour to God and ask Him not to forget their sacrifice.

“It is well that it should be so; we would be the basest of human beings if we forgot those who died.

“Two thousand five hundred were killed in 24 hours on those terrible, impossible cliffs of Gallipoli. 7,000 more were wounded. Sixty thousand Australians who died to save us lie in foreign lands.

“Surely on this one day we may assemble that the world may see that we still remember that they were great.

“We know they are not dead; they are alive unto God. That is of more value to us than any bank balance.

“This day lifts us above the sordidness of pounds, shillings and pence. We are emphasising that immortal life, and inspiring ourselves to lead better lives of hope and sacrifice.

“I see our youth, our children. Are they not to know something of this imperishable story of sacrifice and heroism, this epic that is greater than any tale in history?

“Surely we will be wrong if we do not tell them what sort of blood flows in their veins, what sort of men their fathers and brothers were. May they not know the ideals of home and country and Empire that those others died for?

“As I will have to step down,” the Canon concluded, “I make this appeal to you who remain: that you will see that the assembly in this holy spot is not forsaken.”

“The Last Post”, sounded by Sergeants G. Barnes [ Herbert (“Jerry”) Barnes ] , B. Devlin and Jackson, closed the ceremony.

Among the wreaths were one from the citizens, laid by the Vice-Lord Mayor (Alderman R.E. Nixon-Smith) [ Robert Ellersleigh Nixon-Smith ] and one from The Sailors’ and Soldiers’ Fathers’ Association laid by Mr. S.H. Richardson [ Samuel Henry Richardson ].

Senator Sir William Glasgow [ Sir Thomas William Glasgow ] represented the Commonwealth Government, and Mr. J.L. Maxwell, M.L.A., [ James Francis Maxwell, M.L.A., Member for Toowong] the State Government.

Among others present were Chaplain-Major W.S. Solomon (Salvation Army) [ Walter Samuel Solomon ], Mr W.G. Wearne (Limbless Soldiers’ Association), Major Maddock [ Herbert Mark Meadows Maddock ] and Mr. J.H. Langdon (9th Battalion) [ John Hugh Langdon ].

– from the front page of “The Telegraph”, on ANZAC Day, 1932.
The image at the top of the page appeared on page 12 of “The Brisbane Courier” of 26 April 1932.