Cassino Cemetery dedication service.

These recordings were made by the New Zealand Mobile Broadcasting Unit at a service held at Cassino to dedicate the New Zealand portion of the British Military Cemetery. The officiating padres were the Rev. G. A. D. Spence, Rev. H. Rowe, Rev. J. S. Somerville, Rev. Father L. Spring and Rev. W. T. Huata. The 6th Brigade Band and a choir from the Māori Battalion took part in the service. Present were General Sir Bernard Freyberg VC, Officer Commanding and representatives from all units of the 2nd New Zealand Division.

Introduction by commentator (0:22) -- General salute (0:37) -- Commentator introduces the inspection of the guard by General Freyberg (0:37) -- End of inspection followed by the hymn 'For all the saints' (1:45) -- Hymn continues followed by the start of the dedication service. This includes the opening prayer, dedication of the cemetery, and a prayer in Māori (3:51) -- A hymn by men of the Māori Battalion (4:39) -- Conclusion of hymn and commencement of the homily (4:00) -- Continuation of homily (4:04) -- Conclusion of homily followed by Psalm 23 and the commitment of the bodies of the dead comrades to the ground (3:50) -- Blessing in Māori, the 'Lord's prayer', and the hymn 'Abide with me' (4:14) -- Silence on the original recording for 56 seconds then the band cuts in playing 'Abide with me' and this is followed by the blessing (2:55) -- Blessing of the soldiers’ graves and bodies and final prayers (2:37) -- Commentator describes the laying of wreaths.
Wreaths were laid by General Freyberg and brigade commanders on behalf of all ranks of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force ( 2 NZEF), the government and people of New Zealand, and the New Zealand Returned Services Association. Then representatives of the division bring wreaths in memory of their comrades (0:45) -- An item by the band (0:35) -- Band continues to play -- Band plays 'God save the King' then a three gun salute and the 'Last post' (4:00) -- Conclusion of the 'Last post' followed by the band playing the general salute (2:14).