Armistice Day

I recently had the privilege while in Auckland to view the very moving Armistice Display of the Field of White Crosses at the War Memorial Museum. While doing this I knew that I would certainly be attending Armistice Day services in Stratford.

However, after finding no commemoration notices in the press I searched the council website, also to no avail.

I went to council to clarify this, only to find that indeed Stratford had nothing planned. I would please like to ask the Stratford District Council and councillors their thoughts on why we did not hold any commemoration service or at least display our Fallen Men’s White Crosses or place any wreaths like so many other towns did throughout Taranaki?

I did attend an Armistice Day service out of town and also the 2pm special screening of They Shall Not Grow Old at the TET Kings Theatre. Many thanks to them for screening this on Armistice Day to a very large audience. DEBBIE MCKINLAY

A response from Stratford mayor Neil Volzke: Armistice Day is a hugely significant day in our history and this year being the 100th anniversary, it was even more so. The region’s four councils did not host official services of their own, as New Plymouth RSA had organised a formal commemorative service intended as a regional event. The commemorations included a parade, a flyover, song and prayer, as well as speeches from Archbishop Philip Richardson, a retired naval admiral and the Turkish Ambassador. A large bronze statue was also unveiled.

In addition some RSA clubs did organise their own smaller, local commemoration services but sadly Stratford does not have an RSA club at present and as such, no service was held in Stratford.

I was honoured and privileged to march in the front row of the parade, together with fellow mayors Neil Holdom and Ross Dunlop, and represent the people of the Stratford District. I was also invited to lay a wreath on behalf of our community. During the official service it was stated several times that this was a regional event honouring all who served from Taranaki. Stratford was mentioned several times during the official speeches and Colonel William Malone was also commended for his heroic deeds. A personal letter from Malone to his wife was also read to the large crowd in attendance. It was also pleasing to see a number of Stratford people among the crowd.

While we may not have had white crosses on display in Stratford and no official service held locally, those who served were certainly honoured, commemorated and not forgotten.