102 years since memorial unveiled
WWI soldiers remembered at Weber service
Agood crowd of locals, visitors and descendants of the fallen soldiers whose names are on the Weber monument enjoyed a service guided by Rev Jo Crosse on Anzac Day 2022.
It was a special service, as we celebrated 102 years since the unveiling of the monument on December 14, 1920. Myles Henricksen from Weber School read a special reading and raised and lowered the flag.
The roll of honour was read and news of the original unveiling was read from a newspaper clipping. The gathering concluded with the national anthem and afternoon tea at school house put on by the ladies of Weber.
It was great to see the memorial looking so loved as it has just been refreshed by Edmund’s youngest granddaughter Ann Berry, bringing it up to the condition it would have been 102 years ago.
Ann was also wearing her granddad’s MM for the day, which she borrowed off her nephew. What the newspaper clipping said about the 1920 event:
“The population of Weber when the young soldiers left for WWI was only 420, so to lose 33 from their community the locals realised was a heavy loss. The monument was thought to be placed in the right place, the Weber School grounds, so as to remind everyone for all time of the sacrifices that were made.
“Governor-General Lord Jellicoe said when he visited Dannevirke that he felt the Weber monument would for all time be a piece of hallowed ground to be treasured by all children. It had been a noticeable feature in connection with the erection of war memorials that the country districts had been ahead of the cities.
“The cities had started with memorials in churches, sports halls, lodges. On December 14, 1920 the Weber County put the finishing touches to its war work by unveiling a splendid monument. The day was beautifully fine and the gathering was probably the largest ever held in the district.
“The day was opened by Mr H Moore, Presbyterian home missionary. He was presented on the platform by the chairman of the memorial committee, Mr J. R. Franklin.
“There was an address from Mr A McNichol (mayor of Dannevirke), apologies for absence from Minister of Defence, Sir Heaton Rhodes, Rev
F W Whibley, Ormondville and Rev D B Douglas, Pongaroa and Mr Mabbet, a Ma¯ ori War veteran resident in the district.
“Mrs Eliza Hales, mother of Claude, was called to unveil the monument which was enveloped in flags. She removed these. Wreaths were then laid on the memorial by relatives and friends of the fallen men and before
the ceremony had concluded the base of the structure could hardly be seen for floral tributes.
“A touching incident occurred at the conclusion of the unveiling ceremony when the Military Medal conferred on the late Edmund Bassett for bravery in the field was handed to his widow, Mrs Alice Bassett of Ormondville.”