No firing rifles at city Anzac service
There will be no live firing of rifles at Anzac Day services in Invercargill this year.
A New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) spokesperson said troops from the 2/4 Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment would support Anzac Day commemorations in Invercargill this year. But, since the Invercargill Returned Services Association (RSA) had not requested a firing party, none would be attending.
‘‘Our understanding is that the Invercargill RSA didn’t request a firing party but asked for NZDF support for a wreath layer, flag marshall, flag raising party and also a representative to speak at the after-service function, all of which we are providing.’’
Invercargill RSA chairman Norm Wilson said his organisation had not requested a firing party because it was their understanding the NZDF was not providing them at commemorations this year.
He said not having a party was ‘‘disappointing.’’
Instead of firing rifles, a small cannon would be fired at Monday’s ceremony. ‘‘It’ll be interesting.’’ Wilson said participants would still raise their guns in a firing position but, when it was time to actu- firing ally fire, the cannon would fire instead. He said the cannon would be behind the cenotaph near Invercargill’s city centre.
‘‘People won’t know where it’s coming from.’’
Sending firing parties to Anzac Day events depended on the availability of resources, the NZDF spokesperson said.
‘‘NZDF has a number of people deployed on overseas operations, for example more than 500 people have been deployed on Operation Pacific Relief in Fiji, which means we have had fewer resources available in some areas.’’
The spokesperson said that since the NZDF did not have regular forces based in Invercargill, Reserve Forces would support Anzac Day events across Southland and Otago.
The NZDF is supporting more than 300 community events and commemorations around the country on Anzac Day this year.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the RSA. It has more than 105,000 members throughout New Zealand.
Invercargill’s Anzac Day service will take place on Monday from 7am at the cenotaph near Dee St, between Victoria Ave and Gala St.
A civic service will then take place at 7.45am at the Invercargill Workingmen’s Club in Esk St. All are welcome to attend.