Turnout up as memories fade
In the south there are at least 20 World War II veterans remaining, but in some smaller communities there are as few as one, and in some other towns there are none.
The New Zealand Defence Force says it does not know how many World War II veterans are alive nationally.
About 1039 people are registered with Veterans’ Affairs but because not all veterans were registered there is no way of knowing the actual number.
Royal Returned and Services Association national president B J Clark said it was extremely important that communities gather and hold on to that historical information as those courageous men and women pass on.
The RSA figures say there are 11 World War II veterans left under the Southland RSAs – 10 in Gore, one in Te Anau, one in Lumsden, one in Mossburn, two in Tapanui and three in Winton.
‘‘Helen Clark did well when she realised if we didn’t get comment from veterans now it would be gone forever,’’ B J Clark said, referring to the former prime minister’s push to take photos of all the World War I veterans.
More and more members of the public are coming to services now, particularly young people, Clark said.
It was up to the community to keep veterans at the forefront of people’s minds, Clark said.
‘‘What’s important is whilst [some] World War II veterans are gone, widows are still around. Husbands and wives are looked after and never forgotten. The smaller RSAs are doing an exceptional job at looking after them.’’
In the 1990s, many families would come into RSAs wanting to give away medals and other items, Clark said. This isn’t happening much any more.
‘‘People are now wanting them back after they’ve been lost. It gives you a tingle down your spine to see those young people wearing medals.’’
Clark has spent plenty of time researching the world wars. He feels lives were treated so cheaply at the time.
‘‘We need to remember those issues to respect their service and as part of the conversation to not repeat the mistakes of the past.’’
Retaining knowledge is one thing that can combat this.
The widow of the last World War II veteran affiliated to the Riverton RSA was joined by 20 of her family for the town’s Anzac service on Thursday.
Dorothy Fraser’s husband, Lyall, was 95 when he died in 2016. He was a New Zealand Army signalman in Egypt and Italy, and served for four years and eight months.
Fraser said she was always pleased to see good crowds for Anzac Day services in Riverton, especially the turnout of children. About 400 people attended this year. ‘‘I’ve been coming to them since I was little ... I’ve never missed one,’’ she said.
Riverton RSA secretary Chris Baker said with the steadily declining number of World War II servicemen and women still alive in New Zealand, it was important Anzac Day services remained strong for future generations.
‘‘Some people think it’s a celebration but it’s not. We’re commemorating and thanking the veterans.’’
‘‘It gives you a tingle down your spine to see those young people wearing medals.’’
RSA national president B J Clark