Otago reserve represents NZDF in France
FROM the Sinai desert to the Antarctic, Shane Parker has been to some of the world’s most extreme and spectacular places since joining the 40 South Otago Reserve unit in the 1980s.
But a highlight of his reserve career was in France at the weekend, when he was a member of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) contingent that marked the 100th anniversary of the liberation of Le Quesnoy.
‘‘5th/7th Battalion, Royal New Zea land Infantry Regiment, has a long history, and to commemorate the final major action of a long and bloody war 100 years ago, makes me humble and proud,’’ Warrant Officer Class Two Parker said.
He was a member of the 7th Wellington and Hawke’s Bay Battalion’s Regimental Colour Party which carried the battle honour of Sambre (Le Quesnoy) and was paraded during the National Commemorative Service and Last Post Ceremony on Sunday.
‘‘Along with a busy civilian career and raising a family, I’ve also had the chance to serve in the desert of North Africa, deploy to the ice of Antarctica, and support the people of Christchurch following the 2011 earthquake,’’ he said.
Military service was a tradition in his family.
His grandfather, father, brother and now son have all served with the NZDF.
‘‘I’m incredibly proud of my family’s service and seeing the tradition carry on in the next generation.’’