Kanangra is home for the 'old rugged cross'

[vc_row][vc_column width="1/1"][vc_custom_heading text="Kanangra is home for the 'old rugged cross'" font_container="tag:h2|font_size:40|text_align:left" google_fonts="font_family:Abril%20Fatface%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal"][vc_column_text]MAY 2015 | LIZ WALKER

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THE 25TH of April 2015 marked the 100th year of Anzac.

A small inconspicuous cross tucked away in the chapel of the Good Shepherd at Kanangra (aged care facility), Deloraine was made in true Anzac spirit.

In the year 1916, Quarter Master Sergeant Freeman and Corporal Scott of the 4th pioneer battalion designed and made the wooden cross from the salvaged remains of a wooden altar saved from a totally destroyed church in the war torn area of Somme in France.

The cross was carried on the back of a soldier and given to his padre, Donald Blackwood (later Bishop Blackwood).

Padre Blackwood used the cross on the battlefield in communion services.

Bishop Blackwood gave the cross to Canon Rupert Heyes when Rupert was ordained.

Rupert Heyes, was born 1917 at Evandale, Tasmania. He came to Deloraine to farm.

Soon after he enlisted with the A.I.F. as captain, he served in Darwin and North Queensland and was in Timor for the surrender of the Japanese.

After the war Rupert was a church warden of the Anglican parish, a member of ST. Marks, and was very active in Deloraine’s church life.

Rupert was described as a “very human” person and a “farmer at heart”.

After his death Rupert’s widow requested the cross be placed in the Kanangra Chapel.