Poignant Bay services mark centenary of armistice
The sound of the chimes echoed among the crowd at 11am. The wave of silence that followed was poignant.
But more so was the cacophony of sound — the bells rang out stronger than before and horns blasted — the time for quiet reflection was over. It was a joyous celebration.
Bunches of white balloons floated high above the Hastings clock tower, where more than 100 people gathered exactly 100 years since the guns of World War I fell silent.
Hawke’s Bay regional councillor Rick Barker spoke at the service, pushing through the tears during his recollection of the effect the war had on his grandmother.
“My grandmother mourned the loss of [her brother] all her life, the pain never eased. She was one of many.”
Of the 250,000 men of eligible age in 1914, nearly 100,000 served overseas. More than 18,000 New Zealanders died as a result of the war and more than 40,000 were wounded.
The Hastings War Memorial lists 262 names of those killed in action in the War. Almost three times that many came home injured.
“The losses can only be described as catastrophic,” Barker said.
Ross Mitchell attended the service on behalf of his father-in-law who served in World War II, proudly wearing his medals on his chest.
Local commemorations were held at the Memorial Square, where Napier Mayor Bill Dalton and MP Stuart Nash were among the guest speakers. Napier City councillor Kirsten Wise spoke at the Taradale Clock Tower, where crowds also gathered.