ANZAC Day 2004

	Ex-RNZN Margaret McInroy at the head of the sub-branch and visitors ANZAC Day march.

With the first appearance of a Vietnam veteran to lead the NZ Troops’ march in Sydney on ANZAC Day this year, Lt Col. Brian Hewitt (Rtd), was joined by WOI Ross Cullen, on three years’ secondment to the Australian Army, who had responded to the sub-branch’s search for an RSM to control the march for the New Zealanders.

Publicity officer for the sub-branch, Ben Furby, told RSA Review that in Sydney the NZ troops precede the Australian ~units in the ANZAC Day march, and began looking for an experienced RSM to control the NZders.

- “The New South Wales Returned and Service League of Australia is becoming concerned that the ANZAC Day march takes four and a half hours, when it is supposed to take three hours at the most,” Furby said.

“I was looking for a competent sergeant-major to help us, when Lt Col. Peter Cosgrove, RNZIR, also on secondment in Australia, and who marched with us last year and again this time, suggested we ask Ross to control the march.”

WO1 Ross Cullen celebrates after the march with NZ sub-branch President, Margaret McInroy

Furby said that Ross smartened up the march considerably, with some loud RSM’s commands, and his appearance in sash and pacestick, and the lemon squeezer, which Australians traditionally expect to see when they see Kiwi soldiers.

“For one thing, everyone heard him when he shouted an order,” Furby said.

“His presence with us, controlling four right and left hand wheels with 10-people ranks, were a great help, not only to us, but to ensure we Kiwis did not let the country down.”

More than 100 New Zealanders marched in the Sidney commemoration, and Furby said the NZ SubBranch is always pleased to greet NZ ~ex-servicemen and women; either living in Australia Or visiting from the other side of the Tassie. Similarly descendants of deceased Kiwi service people are welcome to march particularly when they wear their relation8s medals on the right breast.

Rai Valley Remembers

Rai Valley, a tiny rural township in Marlborough rose to the occasion this year by reviving their Anzac Memorial Service after a lapse of around thirty years.

The Area School has always provided their students with something to commemorate Anzac Day. However 2004 heard questions being asked about the local War Memorial immaculately maintained by Marlborough County on the hillside overlooking the township where 161 names record those who left the locality in two world wars and didn’t return.

Rai Valley Area School principal Loretta Newton, Constable Graham Barsanti, and Chief Fire Officer Trevor Holdstock, invited Rick Williams, President of the Nelson- Marborough- West Coast District for the RSA to attend. Former RNZAF Chaplain; the Reverend Squires was the padre, and John Barnes of Waimea RSA performed as bugler.

Sol Schroder, the last surviving returned serviceman in the Pelorus Valley placed the first wreath and lowered the flag.

	Rick Williams, President Nelson-Marlborough-West Coast RSA district with Thandia Parker (left) and sister Alex

Thandi Parker, a student from Rai School presented a reading and with her sister Alex, laid a wreath on behalf of the school.

As Senior Constable Morris Horne from Havelock laid the wreath for Marlborough County two RNZAF Kingair aircraft from Ohakea circled the town and flew low over the memorial, something that will not be forgotten for a long time.

The Rai Valley Fire Brigade, the Area School and everybody who attended the service are to be commended for reviving such a fitting tribute to those whose names are recorded on the memorial.

Thames Remembers

Totara Cemetary

The Thames Returned Services Association made sure that for ANZAC Day 2004, the Totara Cemetery had its Service's section marked with crosses and poppies. The local members of the Korea Veterans Association assemble the crosses for the annual ANZAC Day services.

Ypres ANZAC Day 2004

	ANZAC Day in Ypres

Representing New Zealand at the ANZAC Day commemorations at Ypres in Belgium this year was New Zealand exchange student William Barnett of Renwick. He is the grandson of Sergeant David Sterritt who was in the 4th Otago Regiment and was wounded at Passchendale and awarded the DCM.

Woodville and ANZAC Day

Woodville war memorial

To remember those locals who gave their lives in the wars of last century, Kevin Eades prepared crosses and poppies that were placed at the foot of the Woodville war memorial. The ANZAC Day services were well attended with members of the NZ Army attending, supported by members of the public and local voluntary organisations. RSA members also visited the Woodville School just before ANZAC Day to answer a multitude of questions from pupils eagerly seeking information on the importance of this day.