Reverend remembered with the fallen
The late Rev Albie Martin’s presence was still felt at Anzac public services as thousands of people turned out in New Plymouth to pay their respects to the fallen.
This year’s dawn and civic services marked the first time in decades that Martin had not been a central figure in the remembrance ceremonies. He died last May.
However, a portrait of the former padre of the Taranaki Army Association and the New Plymouth RSA sat near the lectern opposite the cenotaph, where wreaths were laid at both services, surrounded by quiet observers.
New Plymouth RSA president Graham Chard paid tribute to Martin at the services.
“He delivered his final Anzac service 12 months ago, and a month later he peacefully passed away,” Chard said.
“His portrait sits beside me today as a tribute to the many Anzac Day services he delivered, and to the years of service he willingly gave to the New Plymouth RSA.
“He is sorely missed by us all. Rest in peace, mātua.”
Martin’s place at the services was taken by Anne Knox, a former police area commander and now chaplain, who reminded those gathered of the disappearing generation of veterans.
“The day will come when the last known World War II veteran passes away,” she said, before outlining the immense contribution those who served had made to community and country.
She said their examples should inspire us all to make the world a place where no one had to endure the kind of pain and torment that saturated the once peaceful Anzac Cove on the Gallipoli peninsula in 1915.
The number of people attending the dawn service almost dwarfed the number at the civic service four hours later, with former New Plymouth RSA president Trevor Wylde believing it was the equal of any he had attended.
“It’s hard to judge because you are sitting down, but you are aware of a lot of people around you,” he said.
“But I was here at 5.40am and there were people everywhere. They were stretched right up the road.”
Before the dawn service started, members of the public were urged to join police in an attempt to remove a parked car that had been unfortunately parked near the cenotaph and was blocking the view of veterans who were seated.
After several attempts, numbers grew to a point at which they were collectively able to lift the car a short distance and somewhat out of the way.
Elsewhere, organisers reported healthy numbers at services across the region where threatening skies failed to put many off attending.
State Highway 3 was blocked off for Inglewood’s dawn service, which was attended by hundreds. Afterwards, many made their way back to the town hall, which was decorated with New Zealand flags and poppies. Anzac biscuits were laid out on the tables.
Post-service breakfasts were also held throughout the region, including in Stratford where Jack and Sarah Hywood, who own Mountain Motors, filled their large workshop with tables and chairs so veterans and their families could get together after the dawn parade over a meal. The town’s RSA, which closed in 2015, used to put on breakfast after the dawn service.