A proud Anzac family history
Talk to Ian Beker for more than a few moments and his pride in his family’s longstanding Anzac links becomes obvious.
With a grandfather, father, son, nephew and cousins all serving in the various strands of the NZ Armed Forces since World War I - not to mention Beker’s own service in Vietnam - it’s a pride that bears some justification.
As Awarua RSA president, Beker retains an active interest in the community support of local returned servicemen and women, most recently hitting the Invercargill streets for the annual Poppy Appeal on Friday.
Far from being a dying tradition, Beker believed Anzac Day and its associated rituals and commemorations continued to grow in importance and relevance for the people of New Zealand.
‘‘Nowadays I try and see Anzac Day through the eyes of my grandchildren.
‘‘When you see the pride they have in laying a poppy while wearing their great-grandfather’s medals, and thinking of their dad Dion still serving overseas, you can see it’s a tradition that’s still very much alive today,’’ he said.
As well as inspiring the latest generation of young New Zealanders with his medals, Beker’s ‘‘Grandad Nichol’’ - trooper William John Nichol of the NZ Mounted Rifles - had also been his own inspiration for enlisting in the army at age 17.
‘‘He used to tell me his tales of getting ‘blown up’ while he was tending the horses and camels in Palestine. Although that event invalided him for the rest of his life, he went on to have four children, and they never seemed to want as a family.
‘‘I’d say above all it’s his staunch work ethic that’s come down through the family, and inspired later generations to do their bit.’’
Although Beker’s own Vietnam experiences were mixed, after a brief spell away from the army on returning from that conflict in the 1970s, he re-enlisted and served a further 20 years, eventually retiring as chief clerk of the Army General Staff.
When son Dion showed keen to join up, Beker was initially reluc- tant to encourage him, fearing he simply wanted to follow in dad’s footsteps.
‘‘I had some early reservations, but he’s done really well with his career, and serves now in a senior role. The major difference is, where I moved into administration, Dion has stayed in the G [operations] field, at the pointy end of things.’’
The experiences his son was now having abroad, in common with those shared by all Anzac servicemen and women, created a special bond, Beker believed.
‘‘You can’t fully explain the nature of the combat environment to civilians. Even when it comes to fellow soldiers in foreign forces, your eyes meet and you just click. Our Turkish guide during a recent peace tour I attended in that country had tears in his eyes as we departed.’’
Today’s Anzac forces enjoyed high esteem among those they served alongside, Beker believed, a national characteristic that should be a source of pride for all Kiwis.
‘‘We’re known the world over for our can-do attitude and resourcefulness. I love the pride and patriotism that comes out on and around Anzac Day - it’s truly our national day,’’ he said.