Katikati marks Armistice Day
Armistice Day marks the anniversary of the agreement between Germany and the Allied Powers on November 11,
1918 that ended World
War I and commemorates those who died in all wars and armed conflicts.
On the 11th hour, of the
11th day of the 11th month in 1918 the guns fell silent. After four terrible years the war was finally over. Katikati joins the rest of the country at 11am on November 11 to commemorate the Armistice Day Centenary 1918-2018.
Katikati’s soldiers are honoured for their sacrifices during war time with white crosses bearing their names in a Field of Remembrance at Diggelmann Park. Katikati RSA members erected the crosses on Monday to remember the fallen, and in time for Sunday’s WW100 Commemoration Service at Memorial Square.
Katikati RSA president Glenn Burt said Peter Sparrow, secretary of the Bay of Plenty District RSAs, and Chair of the Katikati RSA Homewood Trust will be a speaker at the WW100 Memorial service.
“We will also have a contingent of five Cadets from the three Cadet Units in Tauranga present who will act as the flag parties for the New Zealand and Australian ensigns.
A plaque will be unveiled at the town clock, a memorial clock in memory of Russell Freeland Walford, born in Katikati in 1914.
Russell was a Lieutenant in the 20th Armoured Regiment, part of the 1st Battalion New Zealand Army Tank Brigade and was a commander of a Sherman Firefly tank.
He was killed in action in Italy in 1943, aged 29.
Winnifred Walford donated 100 pounds with the express wish that it would be used to preserve the memory of her son Russell.
The Katikati RSA also presents an event of the century — The War is Over Dance — in the Katikati War Memorial Hall on Saturday night.
There will be dance demonstrations by Daniel and Kirstin Wilks and live music from Two’s Company.
Tickets for the War is Over Dance cost $15 from the Katikati RSA and the Arts Junction. Please bring a plate for supper. All funds go to Katikati RSA Welfare Trust.