Community Contributed

Foxton War Memorial

Kete Horowhenua2020-03-23T16:51:34+00:00
Located at the North end of Main St Foxton


Foxton Fallen

Soldiers Memorial

The Fallen Soldiers' Memorial, erected by local citizens in the triangle reserve, was unveiled by the Mayor (Mr John Chrystall) in the presence of a large concourse of people on Thursday afternoon.

The proceedings opened with the hymn, "O God our Help in Ages Past." The Mayor then unveiled the Memorial and paid a tribute to the memory of the honoured dead. The Rev Thomas Halliday offered up a dedication prayer. the hymn, "Rock of Ages" was sung. The Rev Mr Raine delivered a short and appropriate address. He said: "We have with us the spirits of those men who fought and died for us - ‘wherefore, seeing that we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses,' let us be worthy of their sacrifice. This column will stand as a perpetual memory of the glorious past. When your children pass this stone and ask what does this mean, we surely must reply:

(1) That this stone stands as an ever reminder of Almighty God, because he gave us the victory.

(2) Of the noble sacrifice made by young men of New Zealand for King, Empire and Honour."

The hymn, "For all the Saints," was then sung, after which the "Last Post" was played by Mr Beale. The Benediction and National Anthem concluded a very impressive ceremony. The Salvation Army band accompanied the singing.

Description of Obelisk.

Red Scotch Granite, a circular, and very highly polished piece of stone in three pieces. The bottom base has four panels, on which are inscribed, in bold letters, four mottoes: North side, "For Freedom's Cause." East side, "Greater Love hath no man." South side, "For God, King and Country." West side, "Their duty nobly done." On the Main Circular shaft are four panels, and the inscription, "To perpetuate the memory of the following, who gave their lives for God, King and Country in the Great War 1914-1918" inscribed on the east panel, then follow the names of the men who made the supreme sacrifice, divided between the North and South panels. the surmounting cap is finished with four gables, and is traced with a design in each gable. The completed monument will stand 18 feet above the ground surface, and has a very handsome appearance, and will show to great advantage facing down the main street.

Manawatu Herald, Saturday 3 June 1920

>>click here to see the names listed on this memorial