Invercargill and Bluff Anzac events draw young families
Many young families from Invercargill and Bluff attended Anzac Day services yesterday to pay their respects and remember those who were killed or injured in war.
In Invercargill, hundreds of people turned out on a relatively warm morning for the city’s dawn service, held at the intersection of Gala and Dee streets.
It started with the firing of cannons at 6.57am and laying of wreaths. Reading out the scripture was Bronwyn Beker.
This was followed by hymns and cannonball firing with a ceremonial salute.
Staff Sergeant Chris Cubitt, whose Army Reserves unit provides support to the troops during Anzac Day events in Invercargill, Bluff, Gore, Tuatapere, Otautau and Riverton, said the service in Invercargill was “really good”.
“Invercargill’s got quite an amazing cenotaph and setup, with the projections on the buildings.”
The number of people attending every year was “awesome”, he said.
“It's good to see. It’s a well-oiled machine; everyone knows their parts.”
Cubitt had served full time in the air force for nine years and another nine in the army. Yesterday, he wore his medals, as well as those of his grandfather, Harold Irwin Evans.
Cubitt said Evans was a signalman and had served in the Korean War.
“I’ve got his memoirs. He wrote a thesis on his experience over in the Korean War. There are some pretty nasty stories. He was shot in the hip ... It wasn’t too debilitating for him at the time; it was just part of the process.”
The memorial service was a special occasion for Cubitt and and his family, he said.
The service included an ode to the fallen in Māori and English, as well as a new parade marshal, Staff Sergeant Chris Hore. The previous conductor, Bill South, led his final service last year after a 50-year run.
Also present was Lieutenant Colonel Stewart Dines from the British high commission and UK Ministry of Defence.
People of all ages attended, with children huddling close to their parents and remaining well behaved.
As the service progressed, the national anthems of Australia and New Zealand were performed, and members of the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association laid their wreaths on the cenotaph.
For ex-servicewoman Sonia Buckingham, it was heartening to see so many people show up year after year, reinforcing that those who served were not forgotten.
Buckingham served in the navy from 1989 to 1993 in the wardroom, serving the officers meals, in New Zealand as well as overseas.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my service as a young 17-year-old stepping out in the big, wide world. So today’s very significant for me. My grandfather was in World War II,” she said.
“I come down here to pay my respects to the past, present, and even the future service personnel that have served our country and all nations and services.
“It’s a very empowering day to be here and be part of the team to march on and represent.“
Buckingham was a member of the Awarua RSA and planned to attend two services afterwards and drink a rum and coffee, part of a ritual sometimes known as the gunfire breakfast.
“Even if it’s raining, it doesn’t matter,” she said. “You always got a rum and coffee, which is the traditional drink to have after a service or an event that’s of significance.”
Bluff RSA support adviser Peter Robertson said the town’s dawn service had a “great turnout” and good weather with just a couple of spots of rain.
There were 20 to 25 people marching, with at least 100 behind, he said.
A civic service held at 11am featured a speech by Dines and had about 100 people marching and about 200 people in attendance. “The pipes and drums from Invercargill [were] absolutely awesome. They always turn it on,” Robertson said.
“We had a large number of younger veterans this year turn up. Everyone seemed to have a good time.
“[The] flag bearers had to deal with the wind ... but they also did very well.”
He said there were no injuries and no complaints, with the rain holding off. “We were very lucky.”
He thanked the Bluff locals for always coming out “in numbers” and supporting them.
Bluff local Andrew Watkins, who attended the civic service, said it was great to bring his family of five boys to the event. Watkins’ great-uncle had served in World War II.
“It’s lovely to see a big crowd on a cold day,”hesaid.