Commemoration of mountain hero
One hundred years on from the death of a mountain-climbing hero, family and rescue services gathered to honour his life.
Arthur Ambury, a 37-year-old father-of-four, lost his life on June 3, 1918, while climbing Mt Taranaki.
He was with his wife Annie and two friends when up ahead they spotted William Gourlay, 20, and two other men, who had become stranded on ice near the summit. Gourlay suddenly lost his footing and began to slide and as he fell Ambury attempted to catch him.
Both of the men died after sliding an estimated distance of more than 365 metres and into a gully.
On Saturday, about 20 people, including nine of Ambury’s descendants, gathered at the Ambury Memorial on Mt Taranaki at a commemoration of his death, organised by the Department of Conservation (DOC).
Granddaughter Dianne Cooke, of Pukekohe, said the day was a time for family to celebrate Ambury.
‘‘I don’t know if many of us would really stop and think about what he did up there,’’ she said. ‘‘And I’m sure many would think along the same lines... but unfortunately he lost his life.’’
Another granddaughter, Gail Russell of Porirua, felt touched by the ceremony.
‘‘I feel as though Granddad’s up there...he’s with us here in our spirit,’’ she said.
Search and Rescue team member, Senior Constable Vaughan Smith, said Ambury was a hero and his family should be proud of his actions.
He remembered him as one of many who had stepped up to help someone else on Mt Taranaki.
‘‘Unfortunately on his last occasion he lost his life,’’ he said.
‘‘He stepped out there and did his best.’’ Smith said the commemoration was also a timely reminder for people to take care while on the mountain.
‘‘The mountain, despite how beautiful it is, we try and emphasise safety to ensure people can enjoy themselves and return home.’’
DOC’s Mike Tapp described Mt Taranaki as one of the country’s most dangerous mountains. He said while in remembering Ambury and Gourlay it was important to look to the future and heed mountain safety.