A new public service to be held this Anzac Day
There are century-old gates in Christchurch etched with the names of 43 local men who died in service during World War I.
Those names include Anthony Wilding, a tennis champion who won six grand slam titles; Leonard McPhail, who travelled to Dunedin to enlist after first missing out; and Frederick Anderson, who enjoyed perching at Witch Hill at the top of Rapaki Track.
The 43 names – representing 43 unique lives – will be officially remembered for the first time during a new public service at the Waltham Park Memorial Gates this coming Anzac Day – Thursday.
While some local families have maintained a small remembrance in the past at the gates with Christchurch City councillor Tim Scandrett in a private capacity, the new public service involves local schools, girl guides, churches and the RSA.
Rev Dr Richard Waugh (QSM), a wellknown aviation chaplain and historian, will lead the service.
He was deeply “passionate” about remembering those who’d served, he said. His late father served in the Royal Air Force every day of World War II and his two grandfathers served in WWI – one was awarded the military medal and the other served on the Gallipoli Peninsula. “It just seems so appropriate that a more public service to remember them, and to pay tribute to others, is held,” Waugh said about the new service dedicated to those fallen from the Waltham, St Martins and Opawa community.
“We live in a time of international turmoil so I think this Anzac day, things are especially real in our thinking about international conflicts of the past, so all the more reason to remember these 43.”
The event will feature stand-up service from 9.30am on Thursday and organisers are appealing for any relatives of the 43 men to come forward with further information.
Several other Anzac Day events will take place around Greater Christchurch on the day and on, a larger scale, thousands are expected to gather for the dawn service in Cathedral Square in central Christchurch.
Veterans will parade with the New Zealand Army Band from the Worcester Bridge from 6.15am before the traditional service starts at 6.30am.
Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger planned to attend, saying it was an important chance to honour fallen soldiers.
“This year is especially meaningful since it also marks 100 years of the Halswell Memorial ... and 100 years since the Bridge of Remembrance was inaugurated,” Mauger said.
Later, at 10am on Thursday, the Transitional Cathedral in Latimer Square will host he traditional citizens’ service, which has been held for over 100 years.
Road closures will be in place on parts of Oxford Tce, Worcester St and the entrance to Cathedral Square off Colombo St from 2am.