ANZAC Day Service- Christchurch, NZ
April 24th 2007 21:28
Anzac Day Dawn Service 25/04/07
Anzac Remembrance- Mr M. Mayes
The word ANZAC encompasses Australian and New Zealand forces. Over many years it has come to emphasise the friendship and bravery shared by these two countries in fighting to preserve the principles and freedoms that we hold so dear. Together we have taken part in conflicts in many countries of the world, as well as on the oceans and in the air. In South Africa, Europe the Middle East, Italy, the Pacific, Korea, Malaya and Vietnam, just to mention a few. More recently we have been involved in United Nations peacekeeping activities. Since the Boer War many thousands of our young men and women have lost their lives and countless acts of bravery and heroism have been acknowledged and in many cases rewarded. This is the day when we remember these facts. In every country where Australians and New Zealanders live, they hold ANZAC services on the 25th of April to remember the sacrifices others have made so we can enjoy the principles and freedoms we have inherited.
As time moves on, it is very easy to focus on the present and the future but to forget about the past. I have lived in Christchurch for 8 years now and will be honest in admitting that I have not been to a remembrance service before. This combined with the fact that both my grandfathers were in the Royal Navy during the war, made me realize that I should make the small effort required to attend out of respect for them and the thousands of others who gave their sweat, blood and lives, so that we and our children could enjoy the freedoms we take for granted now.
I arrived at about 5.30am and there was already a sizable crowd gathering in the cathedral square, I would estimate due to the weather being kind to us, there would have been 200-300 people there, with more quietly making their way to join the crowd. The one thing that I did notice, was how quiet the assembled crowd was, as even though there was wide age group in attendance, everyone was respectful and contemplating.
As I stood there, I silently gave thanks for the mild weather as I can remember it was pretty rough weather last year. I noticed a middle aged man standing next to me holding a cam corder so asked if he was from overseas?
He replied Yes and that he was from a small village in Wales called Gilfch-Goch, upon which the book How Green Was My Valley was based on.
How Green Was My Valley is a novel of 1939, by Richard Llewellyn. The author's claims to have based it on his own knowledge of the Gilfach Goch area were proven false, as Llewellyn was English-born and spent little time in Wales, but gathered his facts from conversations with local mining families. The title of the novel is taken from its last sentence: How green was my valley then, and the valley of them that have gone.
(net sourced)
As 6am drew closer, more and more people were gathering and with numbers increasing all the time, I would estimate at least 500-600 people were there. At 6.15am the veterans marched smartly to the war memorial, followed by contingents of the NZ Army, Air Force, Navy, Police and kindred associations.
With everyone assembled, there was a roll of drums before the New Zealand National Anthem was sung with respect by the crowd. Then after ANZAC Remembrance being read out, the first hymn was sung- Onward Christian Soldiers. I was fortunate to have been standing next to the chap from Wales as he sung with that deep Welsh resonance, that so reminds you of those Welsh valleys.
With dawn rising over the square, a older lady not too far from me was overcome with emotion and became unsteady on her feet. I am pleased to say that there wasn’t one person who didn’t offer help or show concern, which reflects on the people in attendance but also the sense of community and willingness to help that makes New Zealand a great place to live. St John attended to the lady and as far as I could tell, she was okay.
As the service drew to a close, I found myself thinking about my grandfathers, one who passed away years ago and the other who is still with us and started to feel emotional myself, so it is easy to understand and reflect on how that lady must be feeling.
With the service finished, I made my way slowly back to the car, deep in thought but pleased that I had made the effort to show my respect and gratitude.
Hal
Anzac Remembrance- Mr M. Mayes
The word ANZAC encompasses Australian and New Zealand forces. Over many years it has come to emphasise the friendship and bravery shared by these two countries in fighting to preserve the principles and freedoms that we hold so dear. Together we have taken part in conflicts in many countries of the world, as well as on the oceans and in the air. In South Africa, Europe the Middle East, Italy, the Pacific, Korea, Malaya and Vietnam, just to mention a few. More recently we have been involved in United Nations peacekeeping activities. Since the Boer War many thousands of our young men and women have lost their lives and countless acts of bravery and heroism have been acknowledged and in many cases rewarded. This is the day when we remember these facts. In every country where Australians and New Zealanders live, they hold ANZAC services on the 25th of April to remember the sacrifices others have made so we can enjoy the principles and freedoms we have inherited.
As time moves on, it is very easy to focus on the present and the future but to forget about the past. I have lived in Christchurch for 8 years now and will be honest in admitting that I have not been to a remembrance service before. This combined with the fact that both my grandfathers were in the Royal Navy during the war, made me realize that I should make the small effort required to attend out of respect for them and the thousands of others who gave their sweat, blood and lives, so that we and our children could enjoy the freedoms we take for granted now.
I arrived at about 5.30am and there was already a sizable crowd gathering in the cathedral square, I would estimate due to the weather being kind to us, there would have been 200-300 people there, with more quietly making their way to join the crowd. The one thing that I did notice, was how quiet the assembled crowd was, as even though there was wide age group in attendance, everyone was respectful and contemplating.
As I stood there, I silently gave thanks for the mild weather as I can remember it was pretty rough weather last year. I noticed a middle aged man standing next to me holding a cam corder so asked if he was from overseas?
He replied Yes and that he was from a small village in Wales called Gilfch-Goch, upon which the book How Green Was My Valley was based on.
How Green Was My Valley is a novel of 1939, by Richard Llewellyn. The author's claims to have based it on his own knowledge of the Gilfach Goch area were proven false, as Llewellyn was English-born and spent little time in Wales, but gathered his facts from conversations with local mining families. The title of the novel is taken from its last sentence: How green was my valley then, and the valley of them that have gone.
(net sourced)
As 6am drew closer, more and more people were gathering and with numbers increasing all the time, I would estimate at least 500-600 people were there. At 6.15am the veterans marched smartly to the war memorial, followed by contingents of the NZ Army, Air Force, Navy, Police and kindred associations.
With everyone assembled, there was a roll of drums before the New Zealand National Anthem was sung with respect by the crowd. Then after ANZAC Remembrance being read out, the first hymn was sung- Onward Christian Soldiers. I was fortunate to have been standing next to the chap from Wales as he sung with that deep Welsh resonance, that so reminds you of those Welsh valleys.
With dawn rising over the square, a older lady not too far from me was overcome with emotion and became unsteady on her feet. I am pleased to say that there wasn’t one person who didn’t offer help or show concern, which reflects on the people in attendance but also the sense of community and willingness to help that makes New Zealand a great place to live. St John attended to the lady and as far as I could tell, she was okay.
As the service drew to a close, I found myself thinking about my grandfathers, one who passed away years ago and the other who is still with us and started to feel emotional myself, so it is easy to understand and reflect on how that lady must be feeling.
With the service finished, I made my way slowly back to the car, deep in thought but pleased that I had made the effort to show my respect and gratitude.
Hal
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