War dead but not forgotten
When Wendon’s church was demolished, the community needed a new venue for its Anzac Day services.
The rural community at Wendon has ensured its fallen soldiers won’t be forgotten.
A new war memorial will be unveiled on Anzac Day and a tree will be planted for each of the men from Wendon, Southland, who didn’t come home from World War I, World War II or the Boer or Korean wars.
Committee member Doug Wing said the Wendon Memorial Church, which opened in 1923, was built as a memorial to the 10 soldiers who didn’t come home from World War I.
However, it was demolished last year after being handed back to the community by the Presbyterian Church.
‘‘It had been surplus to requirements to the parish, and, since about 2000, numbers had been falling away,’’ he said.
The demolition of the church presented a problem about how and where the community could hold Anzac Day services.
‘‘We just had that feeling that we couldn’t deter meeting to keep honouring these men. This has got to be done – we can’t just leave them.’’
And so, as happens in rural communities, a committee was formed and everyone donated time or money to build a new memorial, which will be unveiled on Anzac Day.
Grants from Venture Southland and the Southland District Council’s heritage fund were also accepted.
The memorial, built by Andrew Smith, will be unveiled by Alan Fowler, whose grandmother unveiled the first memorial.
Copper beech trees will be planted by a descendant of each of the soldiers, or a representative of the Gore and Districts Returned Services Association.
‘‘We’ve taken the opportunity to add soldiers from the Boer War and one from World War II that weren’t on the original honours board,’’ Wing said.
‘‘We have family members coming from Geraldine and Wanaka. I have a feeling the numbers we’re expecting – about 50 – it looks like it’s going to become well beyond that.’’
A panel designed by Sam Williams, of Waikaia, will detail the story of each soldier, and of the original church.
‘‘We’re thrilled to see it all come together,’’ Wing said.
‘‘Keeping the memory of these men alive for the sacrifices they made is more than important – it’s a necessary part of our heritage.’’
The unveiling will be held at 2.30pm, and everyone was welcome, Wing said.
‘‘We just had that feeling that we couldn’t deter meeting to keep honouring these men.’’ Committee member Doug Wing