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HONOR ROLL UNVEILED
ST. THOMAS' CHURCH.
On Sunday afternoon, 6th January, a special service was held at St. Thomas' Church, Moonee Ponds, by the Vicar (the Rev. Canon Hancock), assisted by the Rev. Mr. McDonald. The object was a two-fold one, viz., a special thanksgiving and prayer in connection with the war, also the unveiling and dedication of the roll of honor. There was a large congregation. Amongst those in attendance were Mr. T. Ryan, M.L.A., and a number of soldiers. An apology was received from Cr. Pynor.
The Rev. Mr. McDonald read the King's message (printed in another column) and several special prayers, while appropriate hymns were rendered. The unveiling and dedication were performed by Canon Hancock, who alluded to the fact that the roll contained the names of about 200 young men actually connected with the church, many of whom were from the Sunday School, and had been confirmed at St. Thomas', where they were regular worshippers. Only the names of those who had gone away were included, and those who were in camp or subsequently went abroad would be added later on.
It was in deed an honor roll, for many had gained promotion and distinction, and 37 of the lads had laid down their lives in the service of their King and country. The roll would be a permanent memorial at the end of the war, and would help our intercession. He would request to be supplied with the dates of deaths of any other soldiers. The roll was then formally unveiled and dedicated. Canon Hancock then delivered an appropriate sermon, taking his text from the second epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy, ii., 3-"A Good Soldier of Jesus Christ."
The Ascot Vale Bugle Band, under Major John Kerr, then sounded the Last Post in an impressive manner. The collection was devoted towards the expenses of the roll of honor, the surplus to go to the Soldiers' Memorial Fund.
The roll of honor was made by Brooks, Robinson and Co., and was splendidly designed by their artist, Mr. Wheeldon. The work is of the 15th Century Gothic style. The emblems -palm and crown- are symbolical of victory and triumph. In this sense the word and the image are used in Scripture in many passages. For example -"Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Glory," as the recompense of those who had fought the good fight to the end and conquered, and the crown has become the special symbol of the glory of martyrdom. The palm is also a symbol of victory and triumph, and was, at a very early date, assumed by Christians as a universal symbol of martyrdom. See Rev. VII., 91 - "And after this I beheld and lo a great multitude stood before the Throne clothed with white robes and with palms in their hands, and he said to me: These are they which come out of great tribulation."
The opus sectile is really opaque glass of beautiful subdued tones. The design is formed by Mosaic border while the writing is painted on and thoroughly fired in, and is therefore absolutely permanent. The tablet is framed with dark Buchan marble, which is a very handsome finish.
HONOR ROLL UNVEILED. (1918, January 10). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 4 Edition: Morning. Retrieved June 1, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74604769
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