Father’s luck recalled by son

Although he’s never seen active service himself, Gore resident Martin Bone is acutely aware of the contributions made by other generations of his family, past and present.

Listen to his tales of his father, gunner Daniel Richard Bone, and you’ll quickly compile a checklist of the major amphitheatres and battles of World War I.

Despite having been deployed to the Somme twice, and later Passchendaele - two of the most notorious battlefields of WWI - Daniel returned home after a full six years’ service abroad.

This made him ‘‘one of the lucky ones,’’ Bone said, although his father remained reluctant to speak casually of his experiences throughout his life.

‘‘I think it must have been difficult.

‘‘The ground they covered and the intensity of the conflicts he and his fellow soldiers were involved in just amazes me today.’’

Although born long after WWI had concluded, Bone’s boyhood - like so many of his era - was spent in the vivid awareness of the contributions of his and his friends’ absent relatives to the then World War II war effort.

While that war ended as he was getting ready to leave school, Compulsory Military Training (CMT) was still in place for 18-yearolds, promising to give him at least a taste of military service.

CMT also came with an obligation to serve six years in the NZ Reserve Forces, and during the initial sign-up process a clerical error led to an eventual, and enduring, double military identity for Bone.

‘‘When I had my CMT call-up they got my date of birth wrong, and by the time they’d sorted it I was too old for initial training,’’ he explained.

‘‘However, I could still join the Reserve Force, and in doing so received my second army number.

‘‘As I’ve never been discharged on either account, I reckon I’m one of the oldest serving twins [at age 86] in the forces.’’

Despite never having seen active service, Bone today retains a strong interest in all things Anzac, including his local RSA, where he serves on the club committee.

‘‘I came to Gore in 1970, then about 1974 we got my mum and dad up here, and took dad along to the RSA. ‘‘I’ve never looked back.’’ As well as being a keen study of military affairs and history, Bone takes great pride in the family’s continued Anzac connection through his grandson, Lt Christopher Bone, who has served in the Navy since 1993.

That link helped when bringing the Anzac story to life for the next generation - Bone’s great grandchildren.

‘‘It’s important for them to develop that interest and carry on the tradition.’’