Spirit of the Anzac

Public enthusiasm for Anzac Day waxed and waned during the 1920s and 1930s – but another war brought much more interest

The outbreak of World War II in 1939 gave a new meaning to Anzac Day. The commemorations predictably focused on the current war. Speeches appealed for people to follow the ‘spirit of Anzac’. Links between the first Anzacs and women and men serving overseas were stressed.

During the six war years (1939-1945), public interest soared although security concerns meant large crowds were not encouraged.

The events of World War II made Anzac Day a commemoration of all wars in which New Zealanders had taken part. Veterans from both world wars now paraded together. Maori veterans were more in evidence too.

The day seemed to reflect the ideal of New Zealand as a united community. Attendance at the ceremonies increased - 6000 people attended the dawn service in Auckland in 1957. For some years, crowds flocked to Anzac Day. It was a time to express grief and to show that loved ones had not died in vain.

Important changes occurred after the war. In 1949, legislation protected the holiday from becoming ‘Monday-ised’ (being held on the Monday closest to the actual anniversary). This meant that Anzac Day would always be held on April 25, no matter which day of the week was involved.

The commemoration itself changed. The afternoon citizens’ service was gradually moved to mid-morning, and the popularity of the dawn service increased. Time, too, had changed the nature of the day, from one of mourning to one of commemoration.

Hotels had long been closed on Anzac Day but Returned Services’ Association (RSA) clubrooms were open.

In the 1960s, people complained about the apparent double standard. Returned servicemen and women could enjoy their traditional Anzac Day drinking – but the public was denied entertainment in hotels or cinemas.

In 1965, the RSA recommended liberalising Anzac Day afternoon. From 1967 hotels and, later, shops could open after noon.

Religious aspects were also at issue. The RSA wanted to remove religion from the ceremonies altogether. Catholics were prevented by their own rules from attending such ecumenical services, and many Catholic and Jewish returned service personnel had not attended Anzac Day ceremonies. Protestant churches complained the day was already too secular but, in 1965, churches finally resolved their differences.