Generations of the region’s soldiers past and present were remembered as Anzac Day commemorations took place on Tuesday.
Many of the crowd who gathered to commemorate Anzac Day at Roxburgh had family connections to soldiers who had faced battles.
Among them was Millers Flat resident Forbes Knight who was there to lay a wreath with other members of the Returned and Services Association.
On Anzac Day Millers Flat resident Forbes Knight recalls his father Sydney, who was born on April 25, 1891 and landed at Gallipoli on his 24th birthday. Mr Forbes senior lived through the war and died in 1966. PHOTO: JULIE ASHER
Mr Knight said he no longer marched in the parade as his knee, on which he had surgery in 1953, would not stand it. However, despite the cold wind, he was there to remember in particular his father Sydney William Knight who was born April 25, 1891.
Until Mr Knight senior’s 24th birthday, that date meant nothing more than perhaps a cake and a beer. However, on that fateful anniversary his life, and the calendar, changed forever. A trooper in the Otago Mounted Rifles, Sydney Knight was one of the thousands who landed on the beaches at Gallipoli on April 25, 1915.
RSA members lay poppies at the Roxburgh Dawn Service. PHOTO: JULIE ASHER
‘‘They were in rowboat heading to shore and the chap beside him was shot in the head by a rifle and just fell backwards, dead,’’ his son said with a tear in his eye.
‘‘He never even made it to shore.’’
Sydney Knight landed in the cove and lived to tell the tale. Or not, as it turned out.
He rarely talked about his experience, even though he lived to the age of 75. Not asking his father the name of the man who died in the boat was something he now regretted, his son said.
On what would have been his 132nd birthday, Trooper Knight, along with the thousands of others who had served their country, was remembered and thanked by those whose only bravery was to leave a warm bed and stand in the chilly dawn.
Pipers lead in the official party at the Cromwell RSA Anzac Day service. PHOTO: SHANNON THOMSON
The Anzac spirit spanned generations in Cromwell, with primary school pupils through to veterans paying their respects.
Anzac commemorations were well supported in the town and Cromwell RSA president Denis Ryan said he was pleased to see young children taking part in events.
It was important to mark Anzac and remember the sacrifice of those no longer here, he said.
Members of the New Zealand Defence force are silhouetted as they stand guard at the Cromwell cenotaph during Anzac commemorations. PHOTO: SHANNON THOMSON
The Cromwell branch had lost its remaining World War 2 veterans. ‘‘Remembrance is the main thing, keeping the story alive,’’ Mr Ryan said.
For New Zealand Army Sergeant and Cromwell College history teacher Nick Booth, the commemorations were an opportunity to show respect to those who had fought for their country and were an important reminder for the younger generations of the impact of war.
‘‘I teach the effects of World War 1 in New Zealand and my students are generally interested in New Zealand history.
‘‘I always tell the kids the today . . .a lot of our small towns have memorials and every one of them were affected [by the war] — Clyde, Alexandra . . .’’ he said.
New Zealand Army Sergeant and Cromwell College history teacher Nick Booth. PHOTO: SHANNON THOMSON
THE NEWS reporters were out an about covering Anzac Day commemorations in the region. See the images below for coverage of the days events.
Some of the 941 people at the Lake Hawea dawn service on Anzac Day 2023.
PHOTO: Marjorie CookLieutenant Colonel Greg Hart, of Earnscleugh RSA members lay poppies at the Roxburgh Dawn Service. PHOTO: JULIE ASHERDick Cotter of Lake Hawea looks at the crosses of the fallen at the Anzac Day dawn service at Lake Hawea 2023. PHOTO: Marjorie Cook The big gun was fired at the Alexandra Anzac parade. PHOTO: JULIE ASHERPrivate Blair Illings, of Alexandra, stands as part of the guard at the dawn Anzac commemorations in Clyde. PHOTO: SHANNON THOMSONReady to place a wreath on behalf of Little Oaks preschool, in Alexandra, is Leah Thomas (4) of Alexandra. PHOTO: JULIE ASHERNZ Cadet Forces 50th Squadron Alexandra cadet Jacob Waples (16), of Queenstown, stands as part of the colour guard during the Anzac wreath laying service in Clyde. PHOTO: SHANNON THOMSONPHOTO: SHANNON THOMSONCromwell Scouts at the Cromwell RSA Anzac Day Service. PHOTO: SHANNON THOMSONRetired Navy Lieutenant Commander Lyal Cocks salutes as a member of Fire and Emergency New Zealand lowers the flag at the Wanaka War Memorial ANZAC day service. PHOTO: REGAN HARRISRoxburgh Brass Band member Kurt Dale, of Cromwell, plays the Last Post at the Cromwell RSA Anzac Day Service. PHOTO: SHANNON THOMSONOn Anzac Day Millers Flat resident Forbes Knight recalls his
father Sydney, who was born on April 25, 1891 and landed at Gallipoli on his 24th birthday. Mr Forbes senior lived through the war and died in 1966. PHOTO: SHANNON THOMSONService members, scouts and members of the public pay their respects at the Wanaka War Memorial ANZAC day service. PHOTO: REGAN HARRISAnzac Day commemorations in Clyde. PHOTO: SHANNON THOMSONRoxburgh Brass Band member Kurt Dale, of Cromwell, plays the Last Post at the Cromwell RSA Anzac Day Service. PHOTO: SHANNON THOMSONRussell Emmerson with his grandfather George Bain Hendersons diary from 1918. Mr Henderson was serving for New Zealand at the WW1 campaign to free Le Quesnoy in France. He returned to Central Otago afterwards and married and went rabbiting, mustering and farming. Photo: Marjorie CookPipers lead in the official party at the Cromwell RSA Anzac Day service. PHOTO: SHANNON THOMSONMembers of the New Zealand Defence force are silhouetted as they stand guard at the Cromwell cenotaph during Anzac commemorations.Bagpiper Clifford Hiscock leads the Wanaka ANZAC day parade up Ardmore Street. PHOTO: REGAN HARRISThe Cromwell cenotaph was lined with the names of the towns men who lost their lives in the first and second world wars. PHOTO: SHANNON THOMSONPoppies made by school children at the Cromwell cenotaph. PHOTO: SHANNON THOMSONTwo WWII-era tiger moth biplanes complete a flyover of the Wanaka War Memorial during the ANZAC day service. PHOTO: REGAN HARRISRetired Navy Commander Lyal Cocks addresses the audience during the ANZAC morning service at Lake Wanaka Centre.
