WINTER 2016
SCOTS LAY UP COLOURS
LtCol Hamish Gibbons, commanding officer of Queen Alexandra's Mounted Rifles, answers the police challenge as the New Zealand Scottish Regiment marches through Dunedin for the last time, to lay up its regimental colours. More photos and story: pages 22-23. • Photo: John Cosgrove News
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Defence Matters
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RSA Life
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Anzac Day People
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Stephanie wows 'em with her words
Fiji aid work puts smile on her face
Hometown boys snooker opponents
‘Riders don leathers to pay their respect
ANZ RSA Cyril Bassett VC speech competition winner Stephanie Simpson says she is awed by wartime nurses' incredible dedication.
Lauren Christie joined the army in the hope she could be involved in humanitarian aid. She fulfilled her wish in Fiji.
The Otaki RSA's inaugural Spike Angove memorial snooker pairs tournament produced a fitting hometown win.
The Tribal Nations hosted one of 11 Anzac Day Rides of Respect as nearly 1200 motorcyclists raised close to $20,000 for RSAs.
VISIT US ONLINE AT WWW.RSA.ORG.NZ
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RSA REVIEW • WINTER 2016
News The official publication of the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association Volume 92 No.2 Winter 2016 Published June 22, 2016
KIDS LEAD THE WAY IN SERVING NEW ZEALAND Dion Crooks & David Tauranga (SunLive)
In this issue 02 News 08 National 12 Defence matters 18 Last Post 19 Lost Trails 28 RSA Life 34 What’s On 35 What’s New For RSA Review enquiries and subscriptions, contact: RSA Review Anzac House, 181 Willis Street PO Box 27 248, Wellington 6141 Phone 04 384 7994 Fax 04 385 3325 rsareview@rsa.org.nz www.rsa.org.nz Last Post, What’s On and Lost Trails are placed in RSA Review as a free service. PUBLISHER: James Lynch Ph (03) 983 5500 james@waterfordpress.co.nz
Omokoroa Point (Tauranga) was the first school in the country to take part in the Serve New Zealand initiative to encourage people to do volunteer or do some form of neighbourly service. Joined by 12 teachers and a handful of helpful parents, the students collected enough rubbish to fill a decent-sized wheelie bin from a stretch of their local area “The kids were really excited to be looking for rubbish, it was kind of like an Easter egg hunt for them, but with litter,” says teacher Kristyn Cresswell. “The bulk of the rubbish was found near dairies, and in gutters and drains.” She says the school had been planning on doing a clean-up around its community and was “inspired into action” by the ServeNZ contact. ServeNZ is the brainchild of Sam Johnson (who founded the Student Volunteer Army after the Christchurch earthquake five years ago), and Erin Jackson (a former University of Canterbury Students’ Association president who now runs a consultancy in crowdfunding, events and communications). The RSA is backing the initiative to encourage people to volunteer and heighten community involvement, but has no formal role. Serve NZ used Anzac Day as a catalyst to get people involved. The vision was for Kiwis to take some time out on Anzac Day to do a simple act of service
Dion Crooks
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The Veterans’ Health Advisory Panel has been charged with making a recommendation on whether the Government should fund genetic research into the families of New Zealand veterans who winessed British nuclear tests in the mid-Pacific 1957-58. Berunel University London has committed to a three-year, £450,000 cytogenetic chromosomal analysis of cells from Operation Grapple veterans and their children. Researchers will look for cytogenetic alterations to ascertain if there are any differences between nuclear-veteran and control-family groups. The Brunel news has re-ignited the efforts of the New Zealand Nuclear Test Veterans’ Association, which represents New Zealand Operation Grapple veterans. NZNTVA chair Roy Sefton has forwarded the Brunel information to New Zealand veterans’ affairs minister Craig Foss, Veterans’ Health Advisory Panel chair Marie Bismark, and Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand chief executive Jackie Couchman.
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Omokoroa Point School pupils do their bit to serve New Zealand...above, Mason 7 and Amron 8l below, Mal 7, Bella 10 and Remi 9. Photos: Kristyn Cresswell.
Research project re-ignites nuclear-test issue
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– something simple, but meaningful. Johnson says it’s about coming together to do good, not just as a community, but as a nation. Kristyn Cresswell says Omokoroa Point encourages its students to be responsible citizens and the rubbish-collecting event went hand in hand with these efforts.. “I think the idea really sunk in for them, especially when they were stopped by members of the community and commended for their efforts, like the lady who stopped my group to tell us what we were doing was wonderful before taking our photo. “Our children are very proactive when it comes to community issues, so we hope this is a good way for them to see, especially the younger ones, that it doesn’t matter what age you are, you can help your community.” RSA president BJ Clark says Johnson and Jackson, who made a presentation to the RSA in February, have a track record of success, and the SVA received the RSA’s Anzac of the Year award in 2012. “We think it’s a wonderful idea, an initiative in social enterprise. We are asking RSAs to be aware they may be approached by volunteers, and to support them by suggesting things they could do. It also allows people to see another side of students that they don’t normally see... that students are good citizens too.” He points to the University of Canterbury now having its own Anzac service – something that never used to happen and is not widely known.
He has requested the Government to “immediately move to initiate and fund genetic research on the innocent children of New Zealand Operation Grapple veterans”. Craig Foss has referred his request to the Veterans’ Health Advisory Panel, which is expected to begin looking at the issue at its June meeting. The panel has no deadline for making a decision or reporting back to the minister. Roy Sefton says the Brunel research on the veterans’ children is of major interest to his group. “The discovery of New Zealand’s Operation Grapple veterans nuclear-related chromosome damage in the 2007 Massey University Cytogenetic Analysis should have raised serious political concern about the health of the New Zealand veterans’ offspring. Our Grapple children should then have immediately been studied for inherited genetic damage.” He says Brunel researchers will likely have to study veterans from two theatres, Australia and the Pacific, and from the three armed services. The veterans have also been involved in a large number of duties, which make it more difficult to produce sound results. “The New Zealanders served at Operation
Grapple on only two frigates, all doing the same duties. This simplicity makes an excellent study group and it is important we research our own Grapple offspring.” Two double-blind studies of veterans’ children in two countries using the same FISH procedures would be of great scientific advantage, he says. He notes that the United Kingdom government has been highly resistant to recognising and assisting their nuclear-test veterans and their families. The British establishment and legal system has stalled a class action by New Zealand, British and Fijian veterans to sue the British Ministry of Defence. The ministry continues to stonewall, fuelling the veterans’ belief the bureaucrats are aiming to outlast them, “For them to now fund research on both the veterans and their children must send a serious signal to the governments of the countries that provided servicemen to serve at the UK nuclearweapons testing programme,” says Sefton. He says the old political response that what governments do is entirely a matter for them has never been humanely acceptable, and is certainly not relevant in this new development.
Local govt, community work earns merit award More than 50 years of journalism, broadcasting, involvement in local government and community activities was recognised when Paraparaumu RSA president and RSA national executive member Chris Turver (left) was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. The first New Zealand Press Association war correspondent with New Zealand combat troops in Vietnam,
he was wounded in action. He was also in Borneo and on board HMNZS Canterbury’s voyage to Mururoa to draw attention to French nuclear testing. He spent 17 years with Radio New Zealand, including a period as political editor at Parliament, and became head of news, current affairs and sport. For nine years he was a Greater Wellington regional councillor for Kapiti,
championing road and rail improvements (including Transmission Gully and electric rail extension to Waikanae). As chief executive of the Royal New Zealand Coastguard Federation, he increased the number of marine search and rescue units around New Zealand and raised funds for new rescue equipment. He currently chairs the Electra Trust.
News
RSA REVIEW • WINTER 2015
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THE MOTHER OF 2016 ANZACS Jo Bailey Retired Mataura midwife Barbara Cunningham couldn’t believe it when the governor general’s office called to say she was the recipient of the 2016 Anzac of the Year award. “I said, ‘Are you sure you have the right person?’ The governor general’s secretary said ‘Yes, I have’.” Barbara was unaware Clutha-Southland MP Todd Barclay had nominated her for her tireless devotion and service to the small Southland community. “It was a complete surprise. I didn’t get anything else done for the rest of the day,” she says. The award is made annually to people whose achievements reflect the Anzac spirit of comradeship, compassion, courage and commitment. Barbara was chosen as an “unsung hero” of the Mataura community who has initiated or supported numerous community projects while accepting little recognition or reward. She was the driving force behind the Mataura Community Garden, which helps supply struggling local families with fresh produce at a nominal cost. The garden also provides vegetables to the town’s Meals on Wheels Service, another initiative co-ordinated by Barbara. Although now in the spotlight, she is quick to deflect the attention to others in the community. “There are other people working just as hard as me, and the award is definitely nice for this little town. There have been some negative things to come out of Mataura, so it’s great to have something positive.” Several years ago, as a member of the local Presbyterian church, she raised the idea of a community garden : “We had people in place to help but couldn’t find any land at the time, so the idea sort of fell by the wayside.”
Photos – Left: Barbara Cunningham in the Mataura community garden. Above: Barbara with the Anzac of the Year award and bronze statue, with (from left) RSA national president B J Clark, governor general Sir Jerry Mateparae, and her husband, John.
She was later seconded onto a community taskforce group and in the late 2000s, with the economic downturn hitting some in the community hard, she thought the time was right to readdress the garden idea. “My long-suffering husband, John, and I drove around the town and found a row of three empty, quarter-acre sections. A local man
owned one of them and was happy to lease it to us for the garden.” One of the earliest volunteers assisting with the project was (now retired) market gardener Matthew Lucassen. “Matthew’s expertise has been great, alongside the rest of the good home gardeners who have volunteered. I remember we’d been going for
about a year when Matthew looked over the fence and said, ‘That section would be nice for the garden’. It was my problem to get it.” Her persistence paid off. The land was a paper road and the Gore District Council agreed to support the initiative and hand it over to the community gardeners. The following year, an Auckland couple who owned of the third adjacent section also leased their land to the project. The council has since bought the first section, and a 30-metre tunnel house is now on site. Although the garden is closed over the winter months, it opens every Saturday morning during the rest of the year, with up to 60 or 70 people arriving at 10am to select vegetables in return for a gold-coin donation. “It’s absolute bedlam for about 45 minutes until we sell out,” says Barbara. “The produce goes on a first in, first served basis.” And the need for the service continues to grow: “We know of people from Gore who would like to come, but unfortunately we only have enough produce for people in the Mataura district.” Her original vision for the community garden has grown into more than she ever imagined, thanks to donations from the council, local businesses, and a cohort of enthusiastic volunteers. She refers to herself as the project’s “gopher” and works closely with Matthew Lucassen to lead a group of 10 “regulars” and other volunteers who give their time to work in the garden and run the Saturday stall. “We have someone who looks after our To page 4
4 News
RSA REVIEW • WINTER 2016
STEPHANIE WOWS THEM WITH WORDS Jo Bailey Stephanie Simpson says it was “an honour” to deliver her award-winning speech during this year’s Anzac commemorations at Gallipoli. “I wasn’t too nervous. I had practised in front of the New Zealand contingent a couple of times and most of them came to support me when I gave the speech. It was a humbling experience.” The Marlborough Girls’ College year-13 student earned the trip to Gallipoli with the official New Zealand delegation by winning the 2016 ANZ RSA Cyril Bassett VC speech competition. She produced a passionate tribute to the nurses who served on hospital ships in World War I, singling out Evelyn Gertrude Brook, the matron on the hospital ship Maheno, which was moored just a short distance from the Gallipoli Peninsula. “I have always been in awe of the nurses’ incredible dedication to caring for the men they followed to the battlefield,” says Stephanie. “The men had to go over the line to face their death, whilst the nurses were left to pick up the pieces. Their efforts are not as widely remembered. When I began my research, my motivation was to find a nurse who had been recognised for her commitment and service in WW1.” She soon came across the story of New Plymouth-born Evelyn (Eva) Brook. By 1904 she was a probationer at Wellington District Hospital. After the war broke out in 1914, she sailed with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force to German Samoa as second-in-charge of the nurses, and by April 1915 had been appointed matron in the New Zealand Army Nursing Service. “By the time she left for Turkey as matron on the Maheno in July 1915, she was still only around 30 years old,” says Stephanie.
Left: Stephanie Simpson says that learning and haka and performing it with the New Zealand Defence Force contingent at Gallipoli was a really special moment. Opposite page: Stephanie takes one of many moments of contemplation at Gallipoli.
Evelyn and her nurses had to endure brutal conditions. They had limited facilities and personnel to tend to the wounded men from Gallipoli, many of whom had terrible injuries. Stephanie painted a compelling picture of these conditions in her speech and also compared the nurses’ experiences to her own as a young New Zealand woman 100 years later. “I considered whether I would have had the courage to commit myself to the terrible challenges as those nurses did, how I might have
reacted to those situations that were presented to them, and my privileged destiny today.” “It was clear Evelyn was a particularly special woman who deserved recognition. After Gallipoli, she returned to New Zealand where she could have stayed, but instead bravely chose to return to France.” Evelyn Brook became the only New Zealand nurse to receive the Royal Red Cross (1st class) and bar, an accolade she won in World War I for her extraordinary courage and dedication to service. Stephanie was inspired to enter the speech competition by her sister, who had competed the year before. “The emotional story my sister uncovered in her speech pulled me along and inspired me to do the same. I thought the competition was a
brilliant way to remember and honour people from the past.” She started her research in late December, won the Nelson/Marlborough regional competition , then went onto the national final against seven other young speakers. “There were some really moving and emotional speeches at the national finals, so I didn’t expect to win. It really caught me by surprise.” Part of her prize was a trip to Gallipoli to present her speech at the Reflective Programme during the Anzac commemorations. Her mother, Helen, accompanied her on the trip, travelling with the New Zealand Defence Force Contingent, who treated them as “part of the whanau”. Increased travel risks through Istanbul saw
From page 3
for achievement. Our volunteers who have helped with this project really enjoy helping the kids who now stop for a chat with them in the street. It’s just great.” Last year the Mataura Community Garden and Mataura School Garden Club won the Community Impact Award at the 2015 Gore District Community Awards. Barbara has been on the Mataura Community Board since 2012, and board chairman Alan Taylor is full of praise for her efforts in the community. “Barbara doesn’t wait to see if someone else will address local issues. She is first off the bench to make a difference.” In making the Anzac of the Year presentation, governor general Sir Jerry Mateparae said Mataura was “lucky to have her”. “Your care and concern for others, your commitment to your community, your ability to bring people together and your courage in seeing projects through makes you the embodiment of the Anzac spirit,” he said. Barbara grew up on a farm at Morven, just south of Waimate, and can remember her parents always being “really busy” in the community. She trained to be a midwife, then went overseas, and met John in Vanuatu where they became missionaries and had two of their four children. They returned to New Zealand 35 years ago, settled in Mataura, raised their family, and Barbara practised as a midwife until she retired 10 years ago. However, ‘retired’ is hardly the word you would use to describe her. As Anzac of the Year, she keeps the bronze statue until next year. It has pride of place in her living room, she says. “Later on I will pop it down to the little RSA at Mataura and leave it there for some time,” she says. “It will be great for the local community to enjoy it as well.”
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Barbara the mother of 2016 Anzacs finances, but otherwise it’s all pretty informal. Anything that needs to be discussed is talked about over morning tea. If I say we should probably have a meeting about something, everyone disappears to opposite ends of the garden.” The Saturday stall will re-open in November. In the meantime, several volunteers are growing seedings over winter ready for spring planting. A couple of other initiatives have grown out of the community-garden project. Produce is now supplied to the local Meals on Wheels, “out of necessity” after Barbara discovered that a Mataura person was receiving Meals on Wheels from Gore and was getting a week’s worth of pre-made frozen dinners at a time. “I thought that was a bit tough, so with the blessing of the hospital, investigated how we could help. We now work in with Meals on Wheels, supplying fresh vegetables and volunteers to cook the meals. We freeze a few extras and give them to one or two other families I know about who need some support, or other people we are told about. “Because we are volunteers, we can do it a bit differently from how a business might run things, which is fabulous.” She is the contact for anyone in Mataura wanting to access the Meals on Wheels service, which is not restricted to elderly residents and is now an Accident Compensation Commission vendor. “At one stage we had 15 people on our books, but have around 12 or 13 at the moment. It is up and down as people pass on or shift.” The community garden also supports the Mataura School Garden Club, which encourages local children to develop their own garden at the school. “The principal gives out vegetables as a reward
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RSA REVIEW • WINTER 2016
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From page 4 2016 Anzac commemoration numbers at Gallipoli well down from last year’s 100-year anniversary. However, Stephanie still delivered her speech to around 1000 people, which was an “amazing experience”. She also had the opportunity to explore Anzac Cove and the Gallipoli Peninsula: “You can learn about Gallipoli on paper, but when you go there and see the battlefields, you gain a much deeper understanding of what happened. It was virtually impossible for the Anzacs to do what they were being asked to do. To get as far as they did across that terrain was a feat in itself.” Stephanie and Helen also treasure the experience of learning the haka and performing it with the New Zealand contingent. “It was a really special moment, as it was the first time the Turkish government had allowed the haka to be performed at Chunuk Bair for New Zealand’s Anzac service. Mum and I had
I considered whether I would have had the courage to commit myself to the terrible challenges as those nurses did. the privilege of learning it in four days, and to perform it was a really memorable experience.” Stephanie is grateful for the opportunity and intends to encourage young people, especially in Nelson/Marlborough, to get involved with the RSA and the speech competition. “I’m definitely keen to promote next year’s competition to young people in my region. It is an amazing experience that all should aim for.”
2016 National Council and National Parade Come commemorate and celebrate the forming of the RSA in Wellington 100 years ago. The RNZRSA 100th National Council will be held at the Michael Fowler Centre on the 10 and 11 of October 2016. On Sunday 9th October 2016 at 1700 hours we will be holding a National ceremony at Pukeahu, the National War Memorial. There will be a parade of veterans and current serving personnel, followed by a wreath laying ceremony. We encourage all veterans to participate in this parade to commemorate the forming of our organisation. If you would like to march in the parade form up in Tasman Street by 1600 hours on the 9th October.
For further information contact Bukit Hill at Bukithill@xtra.co.nz or phone 027 659 0679.
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RSA REVIEW • WINTER 2016
CHESS CLUBS ATTRACT BROAD SPECTRUM Caleb Wright Chess has proved a consistent conduit to youthful and family members for the Mt Maunganui RSA. The chess club was founded in April 1999 by Rick McGuiness and Caleb Wright, who gathered up local chess players looking for a home after the local chess club had become defunct. Chess players are a special breed, traditionally playing an intense game requiring dead-quiet conditions. But there is also more casual side – “pub chess”, where a drink or two is believed to make one play stronger, or, at least, bolder. The Mt.Maunganui RSA made an early decision to support the chess club via equipment, as the benefits in terms of membership potential were fast becoming realised. The chess club promised to grow and attract players from all walks of life, providing it could offer a sustainable programme. Thanks to the Mt.Maunganui RSA movers and shakers, this was now possible. With a pool of members established, attention turned to allowing those under 18 years to come to the RSA on a regular basis. Co-founder Rick McGuiness led the charge. These were the days when smoking in pubs and bars was allowed, and it was out of the ordinary for young people (possible future members) to see the inside an RSA.
The chess club put a plan to the RSA, which led to a trial period of allowing under 18-yearolds into the chess club, providing behaviour standards were met and supervision was taken care of. The chess club passed the test, and the RSA celebrated more business as the parents of the under-18s slowly became accustomed to seeing the inside the club. For the chess club to survive, it was important to have flexible and simplified streamlined systems. The final ingredient is maximising the time that players can commit to. The club’s early-evening programme now contains a basic teaching unit; all players are welcome, and attendance is optional. The late-evening programme has two groups of players – the top group who must play every game, and the casual group where attendance is entirely optional. As the Western Bay of Plenty region grew, it became clear another chess club was needed in the Tauranga area – “across the other side of town”. In December 2012, a chess club – founded by a few Mt Maunganui RSA chess members – was formed as part of the Tauranga RSA. For many years, the Tauranga RSA had allowed its venue to be used for school-based events, and the new club, which meets on a Friday evenings, was an extension of that. The Tauranga chess club has been set up to be complementary – in location, day of week, and an entirely casual programme – to its parent Mt Maunganui RSA club.
Raveen Saily, left, Werner Corbe and Sean Kim deep in thought during a RSA chess tournament.
This allows players to belong to both clubs, and there is minimal competition for members. A plus is that some key people are on the committees of both clubs. Both chess clubs find the lifestyle of members can create logistical issues in club areas. As younger people, many have families and are often working or studying. Spare time to do anything apart from go to club meetings is limited.
The two chess clubs have had immense support from their parent RSAs. The pay-off for the RSAs has been in new members. Their chess clubs have attracted people of new ethnicity, different age groups, and backgrounds. The key has been reasonably simple and flexible systems of operation. Once people have a reason to visit an RSA, they see what it’s really about and what it has to offer. The word spreads. Recruitment of new chess club members has worked best from outside the RSA. For example, at pupil-based chess tournaments, both RSAs are promoted and players are encouraged to visit, and take part in events held at an RSA. Photos – Far left: Yvonne MacDonald (front left) and John Finlay (front right) match wits on a club night. Left: A schools tournament involving players from the Mt Maunganui RSA and Tauranga RSA chess clubs.
WAR HORSES DEBUT AT HAMILTON’S ANZAC PARADE Sue Russell When Hamilton horse lover and Waikato Equestrian Centre founder Noeline Jeffries approached the Hamilton City Council with the idea that horses and riders could form part of the cities Anzac Day civic parade this year, she was delighted with the enthusiastic response. “We had thought for some time it would be wonderful to commemorate and honour the place of horses during World War 1 by having them included in the parade. It was wonderful how enthusiastic Tracey Wood, Hamilton City Council events manager was.” Once the green light was given, War Horse Memorial March Group members set about planning and rehearsing. With safety paramount, they decided to limit the number of horses to 25. “We also decided that every rider must be 18 years of age or older, and that if any horse seemed unsettled and wasn’t coping with the crowds, it would be withdrawn along with a ‘buddy horse’.” Come the day 22 horses and riders took part.
War horses on parade (from left), Delwyn Izod, Chris Davies, Vikki Madgwick, Rae Whitley, and John King
Riders wore black jackets and a purple sash with ‘War Horse’ emblazoned in white lettering. Along with the riders from the Waikato Equestrian Centre, the Waikato Mounted Rifles had four horses and riders in the march. A symbolic riderless horse with riding boots turned backwards
Veterans swap yarns with governor general On his last visit to Dunedin as New Zealand’s governor general, Sir Jerry Mateparae took time to call and see some old friends at the Montecillo Veterans Home & Hospital at St Kilda. He addressed the residents, presented a formal photograph to Maj (Rtd) Fred Daniel – his former commanding officer back in the days when he was a junior officer in the army, and now chief executive officer at Montecillo, swapped stories
with residents, and sought their advice on what to say to Queen Elizabeth II during his farewell visit in May.
Right: Cpl Phil Smith (left), NZ Dental Corps World War 2 1941-1946 and a long-time resident at Montecillo, enjoys a joke with governor general Sir Jerry Mateparae, while principal nurse Beverly Brook RN looks on. Photo: John Cosgrove
signifying the death of a soldier on active duty walked before the Mounted Rifles. “It was wonderful to experience just how well they coped,” says Noeline. “Our horses were kept towards the rear of the parade and we had five wranglers with us to help.”
Council feedback received on the day indicated the public had enjoyed having horses included in the commemoration, and Noeline says there is every intention to be involved again. “The war horses that served were magnificent animals, and the bond that formed between soldier and horse was so strong. For the soldier, his horse was his constant companion. If we can in some small way honour that bond and the sacrifices horses and riders made during the war, it has been all worthwhile.” When Noeline spoke with the RSA Review late May, she was also waiting to hear whether a $100,000 Lotteries grant application made by Hamilton’s War Horse Memorial Sculpture group had been successful. “If we get all or part of the Lotteries grant we have applied for, we’ll be able to make an immediate start on the project.” The group, in partnership with the Hamiltonbased TOTI Charitable Trust, has been fundraising and planning for the erection of a bronze, life-size war horse sculpture at Memorial Park. The sculpture has been designed by former New Zealand Defence Force artist Matt Gauldie.
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RSA REVIEW • WINTER 2016
National Office
BE PROUD OF WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED, BUT EMBRACE THE NEW CHALLENGES BJ Clark, RSA national president The celebration of our great organisation’s longevity is gathering momentum. The Christchurch Memorial RSA beagn the process by celebrating its century last year (on December 22) and others around the country are following suit. On April 28 we acknowledged the RNZRSA reaching that milestone with a small wreathlaying service at the National War Memorial. We will further celebrate both our national and local milestones at a parade at Pukeahu on October 9, the day before the start of our National Council, where we will all be able to celebrate together. The RSA organisation was formed to ensure that the needs of those who have served this
great country of ours and their families would be looked by those who understood their service. As we look back on the last 100 years we can be proud of what we have achieved. While the primary objective of the RSA was the provision of material and moral support for returned soldiers and their dependants, another fundamental aspect of its work was safeguarding the memory of those who had not returned. As we move into the next century we must acknowledge that many challenges face us. We need to embrace the challenges and work together to ensure we remain viable for the next 100 years. There are still many from past conflicts, and
there is a new cohort of veterans who require our support now and will continue to do so. Those of us who are able have a duty to ensure that the support mechanisms put in place by Captain Donald Simson and his co-visionaries 100 years ago are continued. We can be successful only if we stand together as we served together. The RSA today is still held in high regard through New Zealand, and our strength is in our service and numbers. This was evident throughout the recent flag referendum when the public looked to the RSA to lead the campaign to retain the flag. I have had the pleasure of attending a number of events at RSAs around the country, and I am
continually impressed to see them all working hard to provide a great environment for their members. We must be welcoming to new members; particularly our new veterans and current service personnel, so that we hand over RSAs in good heart to those who follow. So there is the challenge - to work together to ensure the RSA is around to meet our responsibilities of support and remembrance. I am about to travel to Melbourne to attend the RSL annual congress. The RSL president, RAdm Ken Doolan (retd) is stepping down this year. Ken has been a very good friend of the RNZRSA in the true Anzac tradition I will wish him and his wife, Elaine, all the very best for the future.
security during the reconstruction efforts in the Afghanistan War. A screening at the Papanui RSA was prefaced and introduced with several talks from those directly involved in veteran support. • Information: RSA website (www.RSA.org.nz) and our facebook page (www.facebook.com/ RSANational). The facebook page is open to anyone – you don’t have to have a facebook account to see it. If you do have an account, click the “like” button on our page to keep up with RSA, support and remembrance-related news.
search for “Memories of Service” on the NZ On Screen website: www.nzonscreen.com.
REMEMBRANCE – IT’S MORE THAN JUST ANZAC DAY
David Moger, RSA chief executive Remembrance extends far beyond just Anzac Day – on any given day of the year, New Zealanders on operational deployments have put themselves in harm’s way at the request of our nation’s government. The RSA exists to remember and support our men and women who serve and sacrifice for our country – and to promote the efforts of others who are doing so, too. There are a number of projects we consider to be bringing fresh perspectives to this. Recently, we’ve seen a new documentary on Kiwi soldiers in Afghanistan, an on-line collection of candid interviews with veterans from World War 2, Korea and Vietnam, and a new digital cenotaph project commemorating those who have served in times of international conflict. Afghanistan: the Soldiers’ Story For a very real, personal-level view of modern New Zealand service people, the comradeship they develop, and the challenges they face in war zones, we recommend a new documentary, Afghanistan: The Soldiers’ Story.
The footage, filmed by Cpl Aaron Horrell while on his second deployment, covers events in 2012 during the deployment of New Zealand Defence Force provincial reconstruction teams to Bamyan province. During their time there, they supported the Hazara people, helping them regain some normality after incursions into the region by the Taliban. The deployment was a tri-forces one – all branches of New Zealand’s military posted their people to Bamyan province, to provide
Memories of Service interview series In 2015, NZ filmmaker David Blythe captured his grandfather’s World War 1 experiences in a documentary, Our Oldest Soldier. This inspired him to create Memories of Service – 18 moving interviews with World War 2, Korea, and Vietnam veterans. They talk of comradeship, bombings, prisoner-of-war camps – as well as many other aspects of life during wartime. • To watch the footage from David’s project,
Digital cenotaph The Auckland War Memorial Museum’s Online Cenotaph is “New Zealand’s living memorial to those who served this country during times of international conflict”. It also commemorates New Zealanders who fought for other forces in conflicts in which our country was involved. War Memorial staff are working to create a rich resource for researchers, families and associates of those who served to share their memories of the deceased. • Infromation: Online cenotaph at: http:// www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/ online-cenotaph. Many people just see the clubs RSAs run as the face of the organisation, but at our heart lies our true cause: supporting and remembering all those who have served and continue to serve this wonderful nation of ours. That will never change.
NEW PRODUCTS, SERVICES OFFERED ON LINE Grant Marris, RSA business development manager
Commemorative battle pins – Jutland (above) and Romani (right)
The RSA is using the power of information technology to bring products and services to members across New Zealand. These include: RSA app A smartphone app for members that ties in with the RSA Club Card. You can keep up with specials, offers and deals. It also has a “Find An RSA” feature. Wherever you are, you can search for and get directions to RSAs near you. Currently available only for the android operating system – we’ve got no iPhone version yet. But we’re eager to hear your feedback, and
plan how we can make it most useful for RSA members. • You can download the app from the Google Play store. Online shop A new addition to the RSA website. RSA members and the public can buy RSA products, and have them delivered direct. Currently stocking mainly lapel pins – including poppies, RSA centenary, and battles of World War 1. All items on the online shop, as well as many more, are available through local RSAs.
Battle pins The RSA has created a series of collectible lapel pins, commemorating a number of World War 1 battles. Limited-edition pins commemorate battles at Gallipoli, Romani and Jutland. There are more to come. The terrain of the battles varies – sea to desert to trenches, on the Eastern and Western fronts. All involved New Zealand service personnel. • Pins and other RSA-related items available through RSA online shop: www.rsa.org.nz/ onlineshop.
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RSA REVIEW • WINTER 2016
Your say RSA WITH A VIEW: Alistair Kerr
THE ODE RITUAL – A REGULAR REMINDER Central to, and expressing our accepted core values is the Ode. “They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, We will remember them.” In most cases, the recitation is preceded by the Last Post and followed by the Reveille. Standing to attention and taking in that ritual in our RSA recently, I was moved to wonder just how it is done in other clubs. Is it a regular part of your RSA’s activities? How often? How is it done? Of course, it’s a regular component of any RSA funeral, either in church or at the graveside. It’s also an essential element of every Anzac Day and Armistice Day service. But I can’t help wondering how or, if at all, it’s done in each RSA clubroom on a regular basis. I believe that for a while in our club, it did fall into disuse, but was revived about 12 years ago. Our practice is to have it on a Friday night, when well over 100 people regularly attend. At 6pm, the bell is rung (four bells, navy-style) and most of the lights are extinguished. We are lucky to have a past president who is an accomplished bugler and he sounds the Last Post. The president tells us that, “Tonight we especially remember…” and the names of two local men who were killed or who died are read out together with basic details of their service. The Reveille is sounded and we carry on with our evening’s programme. What never fails to impress me is that, by that simple ceremony, all those in the RSA receive a regular reminder about what we stand for and why. I wonder where else could you have more than 100 people standing silently and
Standing to attention and taking in the ritual of the Ode is an essential part of the RSA’s core values.
remembering like that. Even more, I am impressed to know that, as we are rapidly becoming a family-oriented club, many children witness that rite. I’m sure that they not only ask about it, but remember it too. Many, many RSAs follow a similar routine
as a fundamental part of their activities, but I also wonder if the odd one has let it lapse. If so, why not try to restore it? Of course, there could be a problem for RSAs that have merged with another “social” club. Does your partner-club recognise and make time for the Ode ceremony?
If not, perhaps it could be asked to. Does your club have an especially interesting way of presenting the Ode? If so, let the RSA Review editor know. In the meantime, let’s value and practise this essential part of our national core values.
YOUR LETTERS
Why is the Government so mean spirited when it comes to our war veterans? Why did it take an Englishman, Lord Ashcroft, to have Squadron Leadrr Les Munro’s World War 2 military medals returned to New Zealand? SqnLdr Munro CNZM, DSO, QSO, DFC, JP was one of a small number of bomber pilots chosen for a highly secret special operation with RAF 617Sqn (Dam Busters). Nineteen Lancaster bombers took part in this operation: eight were shot down, 53 aircrew were killed, and three were taken prisoner. Les went on to take part in other special operations until the end of the war. He was prepared to sell his medals, log books, and associated memorabilia, and donate the proceeds to the upkeep of the Bomber Command Memorial in London.
However, the day before the auction, Lord Ashcroft offered him £75,000 for the medals to be withdrawn from auction; the medals would be returned to New Zealand and the money would be donated to the RAF Benevolent Fund. The medals are back in New Zealand, having been gifted to the Museum of Transport and Technology in Auckland. So, Les Munro realised his aim of raising substantial funds for the Bomber Command Memorial – thanks to Lord Ashcroft. This has surely increased public awareness of the bravery and sacrifice of Bomber Command air crew during World War 2 John Beeching, a Mosquito pilot during World War 2, was refused government funding to travel to London for the unveiling of the Bomber
Command Memorial. He got there only because local media took up his cause. The 70th anniversary (2011) of the Battle of Crete threw up another glaring example of politicians’ behaviour towards veterans. Major General Sandy Thomas CB, DSO, MC and Bar – brought up in New Zealand, commissioned into the New Zealand Army and went to Crete with New Zealand forces, was wounded and taken prisoner, escaped from hospital and made his way to Syria – was to be a keynote speaker at the commemorations. He was left waiting until the eleventh hour to know if he would get funding to help with trip expenses. The small number of Crete veterans going had their small contributions confirmed only late in the piece. However, the Government’s
delegation had booked business-class airfares and five-star accommodation ages before. One female MP wanted the whole event moved because it clashed with her schedule, as if she was the reason for it. It was a similar story for vets going to the Battle of Crete 75th anniversary in May this year. No doubt, the politicians were well catered for. Why is the Government so mean spirited that when it comes to our war veterans, while a non-New Zealander can appreciate their worth. Politicians are quick to jump in front of the camera alongside veterans and at RSA functions to enhance their own political ends. John Jardine Richmond, Nelson
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RSA REVIEW • WINTER 2016
PALM NTH HEADS POSITIVELY INTO SECOND CENTURY Sue Russell Palmerston North RSA president George McIrvine exudes a real sense of positivity as he looks toward the RSA regrouping and embracing its second century. Since re-opening last August, after some tough times that left it without a home of its own, the Palmerston North RSA has continued the all-important welfare role of a RSA from a base at Palmerston North’s Distinction Hotel. “It has been wonderful to have been provided with a place for members to gather and now that a new committee has been formed, we are looking forward to steering a new direction for the club in this very military of towns,” he says. The club’s centenary celebrations in May were a happy affair that should help reinforce the club regroup and provide impetus to resume a full range of RSA activities. With around 160 members, the Palmerston North RSA is looking increasingly at strategies to serve and attract a younger cohort of membership. And George McIrvine is convinced that adopting a new mind-set to communication technologies is critical to achieving this. “While we still print a newsletter to members, I can see that there is a whole group of younger men and women serving or have served in the defence forces who use social media to communicate. Understanding this, we already put the newsletter out in an electronic form.” He is keen to see the club’s facebook page used more effectively. As a former company commander, he still keeps in touch with soldiers who served during his time through social media, and he is convinced it’s the only way to keep connected with modern-day service personnel.
Photos – Above, Palmerston North RSA president George McIrvine (right) with vice-president Graeme Newbery (left) and organiser Joe Hollander at the opening of the re-establlshed RSA last year. Left: The Anzac Day service in Palmerston North this year.
He describes the birthday celebrations as a happy affair. The occasion began with a whiskey on the Friday night (May 13) attended by 36 members. “Our mayor attended as well. He has a real affinity to the causes of the RSA. He spoke briefly at the gathering about the military precinct the council is developing. The precinct could potentially encompass a number of historically significant military-related sites, including the original Soldiers’ Club on the corner of Cuba and George streets, the Distinction Hotel, and the Maori Battalion Hall.
A more sombre and poignant commemoration of the RSA’s role in the district was celebrated on the Saturday with a parade from the Palmerston North courthouse to the Cenotaph for a service. The marchers then continued along George St and were finally dismissed at the old Soldiers’ Club. The parade also included military jeeps provided by the local Military Vehicle Society. “We had an excellent turn-out, along with Air Force and Navy cadets, to this event,” says George McIrvine. He sees some challenges ahead for the RSA clubs nationally.
“I feel the current RSA model is not configured to serve the younger current or retired servicemen or women well. I worry about all the people now who don’t get the support the older generations did through the club scene, and I think initiatives such as the No-Duff facebook page are an excellent way of addressing this problem.” He says the Palmerston North RSA committee is beginning to look at options, just as some other RSAs have. “It is all about understanding that we are going through huge change at this time in the organisation,” he says.
ATC created to help supply wartime aircrew Maj Wayne Henderson New Zealand Cadet Forces national historian
PHOTOS – Above: CdtSgt Caleb Marychurch, 18 (Avon) Sqn ATC, takes control during a national aviation course at Omaka in January this year. Below: ATC cadets hold a belt of ammunition for the wing guns of a Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk at the RNZAF Station, Ohakea in October 1942. Photo: RNZAF Official.
The New Zealand Air Training Corps (ATC) is celebrating is 75th anniversary this year. The corps was created in 1941, during World War 2, as a direct result of the need to supply aircrew and personnel to the Royal New Zealand Air Force for the war effort (war cabinet approval for ATC was gained on February 13, 1941).. There were difficulties in recruiting sufficient aircrew from the general population. You could replace planes, but could not easily replace air crew. The first two ATC squadrons – No 1 and No 2 – were formed in Wellington on September 15, 1941). Five Auckland squadrons followed soon after, and then other units around the country. The town squadrons recruited young males, aged from 16 and half to 18, and prepared them to join the RNZAF. School Cadets later had ATC sections (with a lower joining age), and a correspondence option was available for out-of-town cadets.
The New Zealand ATC peaked in 1944 with more than 9000 cadets. By the end of the war, the ATC had supplied 3500 recruits to the RNZAF. Ex-ATC recruits had a higher success rate in training. The Air League and the later Air Cadet League were key players with the ATC. The supporting body today is the Air Training Corps Association of NZ. In 1950 the ATC was officially made part of the RNZAF, primarily because of its recruiting impact on the RNZAF. The Defence Act 1971 created the New Zealand Cadet Forces (NZCF). A key element is the community acting in partnership with Defence to support cadet units. All cadet units (Sea Cadets, New Zealand Cadet Corps and ATC) have a parent support committee which in turn is supported by SCCANZ, CCANZ, or ATCANZ. All NZCF units assist with Anzac Day
tasks such as providing wreath-layers, flag duties and cenotaph guards; cadets also form for parades and sell poppies. The ATC motto, ‘We Train to Serve’, is relevant to serving the community and for those who go on to join the New Zealand Defence Force. During 2015, a quarter of the cadets over 18 who had left cadet forces joined one of the New Zealand armed services. NZCF continues to be New Zealand’s leading youth-development, servicebased organisation. There are 49 ATC units among the NZCF’s 100 units, with 88 (Rangiora) Sqn ATC the latest (it was officially recognised in May). There are now about 1500 ATC cadets in New Zealand. * To celebrate the ATC’s 75th anniversary, Central Area NZCF is planning Exercise Silver Sparrowhawk 75 for October 14-16 at Ohakea (contact SqnLdr Grant te Tau – grant.te.tau@cadetforces.org.nz) and Southern Area NZCF has Exercise Southern Falcon (December 9 -11 (contact SqnLdr Michael White – michael.white@ cadetforces.org.nz). There may also be events at local and area level.
Gunners raise a 'ripple salute' around the country to mark dawn of third century New Zealand was the first Commonwealth country to recognise the dawn of the 300th anniversary of the Royal Artillery with ‘ripple’ salutes' around the country on May 26. The salute was one events around the world, including a mounted review by Queen Elizabeth 2 as captain general of the Royal Artillery on Salisbury Plain and a Royal Artillery tournament. In New Zealand, the first country to see the sun, dawn salutes were fired first at Napier, then at North Head (Auckland), Hamilton, Waiouru, Linton, Levin, Wellington, and Dunedin. Guns of 16 Field Regiment, Royal New Zealand Artillery, fired three shots – one for each century
of the anniversary – and one shot at a time in an orchestrated ‘ripple’ effect on rotation from each centre. At Salisbury Plain, the RNZA Regiment was represented by Brig Evan Williams, the New Zealand Defence Force attaché in London, and by LtCol Tony McLeod, president of the Royal New Zealand Artillery Association. They were accompanied by SSgt Jason Wells, a New Zealand artilleryman posted to the Royal Artillery. The RNZA will present the Royal Artillery with a bronze-gunner sculpture by former New Zealand Defence Force artist Matt Gauldie, who is now a gunner in 16 Field Regiment.
In its current form, the RNZA was founded in 1947 with the amalgamation of regular and volunteer corps of artillery; in 1958 it became the Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery. New Zealand artillery units fought overseas with British and Commonwealth troops in World Wars 1 and 2, and Korea, and with Australian and United States forces in Vietnam. The most famous New Zealand engagement was at the Battle of Long Tan in Vietnam in 1966 where the accuracy of artillery fire stopped a Viet Cong regiment of around 2000 from over-running an Australian infantry company. In appalling monsoon conditions, 161 Bty, 16
Field Regt fired more than 2000 shells in twoand-a-half hours and, together with Australian and American artillery, forced the Viet Cong to retreat with heavy loss of life. New Zealand forward observer Capt Maurice Stanley was made an MBE and signaller Cpl Willie Walker was Mentioned in Dispatches. 16 Field Regiment also fought significant battles in Korea at Kapyong, and around The Hook. Past and present gunners in New Zealand attended special Gunners Day 300th anniversary commemorative parades and functions to recognise the role of artillery in overseas actions and to remember those who gave their lives.
RSA REVIEW • SPRING 2015
News
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RSA REVIEW • WINTER 2016
Defence Matters
KIWI FLAG FLIES HIGH IN POST CYCLONE FIJI Luz Baguloro Public affairs manager – Joint Forces New Zealand “Thank you NZ for your quick response to our need. We will miss you.” The neat graffiti on the wall of what used to be a community centre in Lomaloma village in Fiji’s remote northern Lau archipelago is echoed in scores of social media posts and pretty much sums up what Fijians feel about New Zealand’s assistance to their country in the aftermath of tropical cyclone Winston. The New Zealand Defence Force completed its seven-week, humanitarian-aid operation (Pacific Relief) in the cyclone-ravaged islands, with the last personnel returning to April 21.The NZDF deployed close to 500 personnel to support Fiji’s disaster recovery efforts after Winston pummelled the South Pacific nation on February 20, killing at least 44 people and rendering thousands homeless. In one of the NZDF’s largest peacetime deployments to the Pacific, around 150 army combat engineers, tradespeople, plant operators, specialists in environmental health and logistics, and medical personnel, two ships and seven aircraft, including two medium-utility NH90 helicopters assisted in the international aid effort. “Our humanitarian-aid operation in Fiji demonstrated once again that we are well prepared to act swiftly in response to a crisis such as Winston,” says Joint Forces New Zealand commander MajGen Tim Gall. “Our early response helped the Fiji government know the scale of the devastation and galvanise support from foreign donors.” NZDF personnel made a significant contribution to New Zealand’s multi-agency assistance to Fiji and helped strengthen long-standing ties with a Pacific neighbour, he says. “Whilst the task of rebuilding will take years to complete, the Fiji government and public have recognised our people’s contribution to the international effort to get Fijian communities back on their feet. Through their efforts and those of other New Zealand agencies, the Kiwi flag waved high in Fiji. “With their help, the Fiji government was able to repair schools, medical facilities and community buildings, deliver food and essential aid supplies to far-flung islands and communities, and restore access to safe drinking water.” Fijian officials acknowledge that rebuilding from the loss and devastation caused by the ferocious storm is a colossal task that could take years and require millions of dollars in international aid. About 45 per cent of Fiji’s population, many in remote and far-flung islands, have been affected. The assistance from New Zealand, particularly the NZDF, was warmly received by the Fiji government and public. “The major decisions we made from day one were based mostly on the photos taken by the NZDF’s P-3K2 aircraft,” says Republic of Fiji Military Forces commander RAdm Viliame Naupoto. “There were a lot of areas that we could not reach and we did not know what happened in those areas. So we were thankful when the NZDF came and for the information provided by their P-3.”
PHOTOS: New Zealand Defence Force staff unload emergency supplies in cyclone ravaged Fiji. The sentiment of the local community is evident in the grafitti on one of the storm damaged buildings below.
Combined teams of engineers from the NZDF and the RFMF repaired dozens of schools, medical centres and other community buildings on the main island of Viti Levu, and on Vanuabalavu and Yacata islands in the remote Northern Lau Group, says Maj Chris Wilson, officer commanding of the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Task Unit. New Zealand Army engineers also set up a water desalination station that converted seawater into drinking water at Lomaloma village on Vanuabalavu Island. Up to 10,000 litres of potable drinking water was produced
NZDF personnel made a significant contribution to New Zealand's multi-agency assistance to Fiji and helped strengthen long-standing ties with a Pacific neighbour.
each day to support the New Zealand contingent and villages on Vanuabalavu. “All this rebuilding is helping bring back smiles and hope to people in affected areas,” according to RAdm Naupoto. “From a military perspective, we were happy with the way the NZDF deployed its personnel and assets. We complemented each other very well and were able to work faster – with the local knowledge our boys had and the technical expertise and tools from the NZDF.” NZDF ships and helicopters delivered hundreds of tonnes of aid supplies to distressed communities across Fiji, from northern Lau in the east to the Yasawa islands, which make up Fiji’s western border. HMNZS Canterbury was anchored off Lomaloma for almost 11 weeks from Waitangi Day. The ship served as the maritime hub of the NZDF’s aid operation in the northern outer islands, carried around 380 tonnes of aid supplies and construction materials to support rebuilding in Vanuabalabu and Yacata islands, and completed
This rebuilding is helping bring back smiles and hope to people – Viliame Naupoto, commander, Fiji Military Forces. about 180 transfers on landing craft in support of the aid operation. “We were making a difference,” says the ship’s commanding officer, Cdr Simon Rooke. “In addition to the reconstruction results, the people aspects were rewarding. The smiles of the Fijian kids were one of the highlights of our deployment here. They never failed to brighten our day and we enjoyed having them around as we worked and played sports with them during breaks.” Offshore patrol vessel HMNZS Wellington also operated in northern Lau for almost three weeks before returning to New Zealand on March 16. It delivered about 70 tonnes of aid supplies, including tinned food, crackers, bottled water, vaccines and bales of tree saplings to cyclone-hit communities on Vanuabalavu and Yacata islands. The NH90 helicopters flew around 160 hours of relief missions on their first overseas operation. “The helicopters provided a critical link between the main population centres and the outlying islands up to the Northern Lau archipelago which, at around 290 kilometres to the east of Suva, is at the far range of our NH90s’ ability to operate,” says NH90 detachment commander SqnLdr Ben Pryor. NH90 captain FltLt Peter Familton says the NH90s have been shown to be “a strong enabler for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. • M0re on the New Zealand Defence Force's work and contribution in Fiji: page 14
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RSA REVIEW • WINTER 2016
NZ DEFENCE FORCE DEPLOYMENT TO FIJI
AID OPERATION PUTS SMILE ON LAUREN'S FACE The opportunity to take part in a humanitarian aid operation overseas was one of the reasons Lauren Christie joined the New Zealand Army three years ago. One of around 500 personnel involved in the New Zealand Defence Force’s humanitarian aid operation in Fiji, she says supporting the cyclone relief efforts was “a very rewarding experience”. “This is exactly what I imagined myself doing when I enlisted." As commander of a nine-person amphibious beach team, she was based at Vanuabalavu Island, 293 kilometres north of the Fijian capital of Suva. Her group's role was to facilitate the transfer of vehicles and people from HMNZS Canterbury to shore at Lomaloma, the island's main village, using the ship’s two landing crafts. “Two weeks after training with Canterbury we were deployed overseas to do it for real and help other people,” says the 21-year-old from Kerikeri. “One of the challenges was the warm and humid climate. But hanging out with the children at Lomaloma and meeting the local residents were highlights for me.” And she added to her language skills in the process: “The children at Lomaloma taught me how to say ‘na waga sa lako mai’, which means ‘the boat is coming,’ and ‘na lori sa lako mai’ or ‘the truck is coming’.”.
Hanging out with the children at Lomaloma was a highlight for Lt Lauren Christie.
Seasprite helicopter rises to the challenge in swansong
Sgt Nui Moce (front) wades ashore onto familiar terrain in Fiji.
Job first, says ex-Fijian army man Returning to Fiji in February to support the aid operation was not the homecoming Sgt Nui Moce expected, or wanted. But for the Fijian-born supply technician of the Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment, helping his fellow Fijians and seeing his family was an opportunity not to be missed. “I was a bit nervous when I arrived with the engineers four days after the cyclone (Winston) struck," says Sgt Moce, who hails from Namacu village on Koro Island. "I was glad to be back and help the country but also sad to see the devastation and loss suffered by many,” The New Zealand Defence Force offered to fly him to see his relatives in Koro, which had been turned into a virtual war zone by tropical cyclone Winston. But duty came first and it was several weeks later before he visited his family. “I feel privileged to be part of the NZDF, and I was really happy to see my family and know that they are all right,” says Sgt Moce, an ex-Fijian Army engineer who joined the New Zealand Army in 1989.
“I am a soldier and was there to help the Fijians, so the job comes first. My family understands that.” One of his aunts was killed by a concrete pillar when her home collapsed at the height of the storm. The rest of his family, including four sisters and a brother, survived unscathed. As supply technician, Sgt Moce was responsible for meeting the logistical requirements of the New Zealand Army engineers deployed to Fiji to help repair schools, medical centres and other community buildings wrecked by the storm. “Being a local had its obvious advantages," he says. "I knew where to go to source what our engineers needed, and I speak the language.” Also part of the NZDF force was Pte Leo Van Doorn, a New Zealand Army medic whose mother is from Taveuni Island. “I let my mum know and she was proud that I was involved," he says. "Fortunately, her village was relatively unscathed. It was rewarding helping out where I could and seeing the progress being made during the rebuilding.”
Operation Pacific Relief to Fiji proved the swansong for HMNZS Canterbury’s SH–2G(NZ) Seasprite helicopter. Over the last 15 years, it has flown a variety of theatres in support of Royal New Zealand Navy ships and wider New Zealand Defence Fource activities. Whilst eyes are certainly set on the horizon and the Seasprite will be replaced by the upgraded SH–2G(I) model, it deserved its moment in the spotlight. During the Fiji mission the Sprite concentrated on providing aerial support to the Fijian islands No. 6 Sqn currently has a Sprite on HMNZS Canterbury, which along with 14 maintenance staff and five aircrew represent the squadron’s entire deployable strength as the aircraft gracefully glides into retirement to be replaced by the venerable SH–2G(I) model. With Canterbury anchored in the Northern Lau Group of islands sustaining operations to the main island of Vanu Belavu, the Sprite's work focused on the outlying islands, many of which do not have access for anything larger than a small pleasure craft The Sprite ferried in medical teams, army engineers, USAR and Fijian national disaster management office staff, and carried underslung stores to the remote settlements and villages on these islands, many of which were devastated by the cyclone and in dire need of supplies (especially clean water). The devastation left many landing zones unsafe, and primary access to these villages has been by landing on the beach. Because of the number and relative isolation of the many small islands in the Northern Lau Group, the Sprite was extremely busy – flying an average of four a half a day, and often being diverted in mid-flight. This was a very high flying rate for embarked flight, and involved maintenance and flight-deck staff working long hours in sweltering conditions. However, there The Seasprite SH–2G helicopter grabs one of the were no problems or delays through a need many loads of supples it lifted off HMNZS Canterbury and dropped to cyclone-hit islands in Fiji. for unscheduled maintenance.
16 Defence Matters
RSA REVIEW • WINTER 2016
TRAINEE PILOTS GET TO GRIPS WITH `TEXANS' Rebecca Quilliam Editor, Air Force News The first group of trainees is getting to grips with the 11 T-6C Texan aircraft, simulators, instructors and support staff at the RNZAF’s new pilot-training facility at Ohakea. It is intended that up to 15 trainee pilots will go through the 14 Squadron doors each year. Pilot Officer Andrew Sledger, one of those on the first training courses with the Texans, is three months into the 15-month course and is still doing the theoretical work. However, he has been up in the aircraft – “which was incredibly exciting and a taste of what’s to come”. After the groundwork is completed, the students move to the Texan simulator before practising in the aircraft. It is a quick progression for the students – from taxiing about on the runway to take-offs and landings. “Before you know it, you’re doing aerobatics or cross-country navigation and flying through clouds using just instruments,” says PltOff Sledger. The 19-year-old dreams of flying a C-130 Hercules: “I reckon it would be awesome being a captain flying all around the world and I would love to go down to Antarctica.” The digital computerised instruments make the Texans an “incredible training device”, he says. “That’s really exciting, to bring the capability in line with everything else in the air force fleet – from the new helicopters through to the upgraded fixed-wing fleet in Auckland.” Squadron Leader Brett Clayton has been
Pilot Officer Andrew Sledger is among the first group of trainees learning to fly the RNZAF's new Texan planes.
involved in the project for the past five years and is now an instructor with the training programme. The Texans are “easy to fly but hard to fly well”, he says. They have a glass cockpit made up of three screens with all the information a pilot needs. During initial training, the instructors can turn off some of those screens so that pilots can work with and master the minimum amount of information before more screens are turned on.
The commanding officer of the Flying Training Wing, Wing Commander Chris Andrew says the mettle of the Texans has been proved during their flights from Wichita in the United States across the Pacific Ocean to New Zealand. On that journey, the 11 aircraft flew 21 flights, and covered more than 27,000 kilometres across 15 countries.
Opening of new battle-training facility goes off with a bang
Air Vice Marshall Tony Davies accepts the challenge at Base Auckland.
Buck stops here – air force's new chief Scores of RNZAF personnel turned out at Base Auckland for the official ceremony confirming the appointment of Air Vice-Marshal (AVM) Tony A C-130 Hercules captained by SqnLdr Matt Rieper from No. 40 Squadron, marked the occasion with a flyover at the parade ground. “As the new chief, I’m sure no-one will disagree with me that that’s one of the best sounds you will ever get to hear,” AVM Davies said. A powhiri, organised by Sgt Ray O’Brien, was performed for the new chief at the start of the ceremony. AVM Davies said it was the first time he had been the object of the challenge and described it as “awe-inspiring”. “I am very excited to be the chief of the air
“As the students’ capability grows, we can release more capability of the airplane,” he says. As well as teaching new pilots, he leads the Black Falcons Formation Team. “I was hoping to be part of the team, and to be given the nod to lead it is a huge honour and will definitely be a career highlight. I feel so privileged to do what I’m doing right now. I’m waking up in the morning and can’t wait to get to work.”
force. It’s an immense feeling of ‘the buck stops here’ and it’s a huge responsibility that I don’t take lightly – even for one moment.” There was no better time to be in the RNZAF, he Davies said. “Every flying squadron has new or recently upgraded equipment. The Defence leadership is in an excellent space with the combined efforts of the chief of defence force and the secretary of defence. And the Government has committed to air mobility and air surveillance capabilities in less than a decade.” Recent operational highlights included the rescue of two stranded tourists by crew on board an NH90, the relief effort in Fiji by six aircraft types, and work in the Middle East.
New air force chief AVM Tony Davies addresses the official gathering.
A $46-million facility has been developed near Auckland to help SAS troops prepare for operating in complex situations. The New Zealand Defence Force’s new Battle Training Facility at Ardmore, just south of Auckland, was officially opened in April. It has taken two years to build. It replaces obsolete, training facilities used by SAS at Papakura. SAS will continue to use Papakura as well. The Ardmore complex includes facilities for all-weather training, live firing, use of helicopters, and scenario training based on specific environments and structures, such as aircraft fuselages, ship’s bridges, and public transport. In the previous facilities, SAS soldiers could not fire their primary operational weapons; the
new battle-training facility allows for live firing, and up to advanced full-mission rehearsals. Defence force chief LtGen Tim Keating says security threats have become more complex, so it’s vital that the NZDF has modern facilities to train SAS soldiers required to operate in highrisk and complex environments. He quotes the example of a shooter in a crowded market – a complex situation where NZDF personnel would have to discern “who to shoot at, who to disable”. Although the new facility will be used mainly by the SAS, Keating says it is an important resource for the whole of NZDF. It will also be used by other government agencies with a security role, including the police special tactics group.
A spectacular demonstration was arranged to make sure the opening of the New Zealand Defence Force's new $46-million, battle-training facility at Ardmore was a memorable occasion/.
Remembering 17
RSA REVIEW • WINTER 2016
Remembering
VET FIGHTS FOR RECOGNITION Former Leadlng Aircraftsman Doug Wingfield was an aircraft engine fitter in 1968 who, like many technical ground crews, flew into and around Vietnam servicing crews. However, despite flying into the country on numerous occasions, neither he nor many of the 41 Squadron ground crews were recorded in official documents or flight records. Many have found it difficult to get recognition with medals or veteran status. He has been collecting information about flights into Vietnam so that his former colleagues might receive the acknowledgement they deserve. For its part during the Vietnam War, 41Sqn RNZAF was based in Singapore. Aircraft flew from there into Vietnam – Doug has found the records for more than 513 flights and 1873 landings in Vietanam during that period. “These figures are from the official unit histories held at Archives NZ,” he says. “I’ve gone through and recorded every flight, every crew member and every landing for the 10-year period, April 1965 to when the last Bristol left at the fall of Saigon in April 1975. I’ve now assembled a spreadsheet that gets all of the 41Sqn Vietnam flight information into one place.” He now needs air crew who flew into Vietnam during this time to cross-check this spreadsheet with the details written in their flight logs, and to get in touch with him with additions or corrections. Or, as he suggests: “The easiest way to do this is to photograph the pages of your flight logs that record Vietnam flights and send them to me. Use a camera or iphone, and email or text these to me”. So far he has more than 200 additions and corrections to make where the unit histories differ from the more detailed and accurate flight-log records air crew maintained. “I hope to get these completed by mid-2016. When I get both of these lists together, I should end up with a very comprehensive and authenticated list”. He says ground crew are already using his spreadsheet and looking up the flights they were on. This information could then be provided to the New Zealand Defence Force or Veterans Affairs to support claims for veteran status or to secure medallic recognition for service. Since the publication of Doug Wingfield’s spreadsheet in late 2015, four servicemen have been able to get their medals thanks to his work. “I have another three assembling their evidence and preparing their applications right now, and
OBITUARY
Sid Corbett
PHOTOS: Top: PIC Douglas ‘Scotty’ Wingfield found the records for 513 flights and 1876 landings of 41 Squadron. He is pictured here with a Bristol Freighter 5903. Above: Doug Wingfield working behind one of 41Sqn's Bristol Freighter engines in 1967. "The tropical heat made it impossible to stay in the cramped engine bay for more than 20 minutes," he says.
I have more than 20 other enquires.” Despite nearly every flight into Vietnam taking ground crew on board, names were rarely written down – which has resulted in these people missing out on getting acknowledgement for their service. A number of 41Sqn ground-crew members had simply given up hope of recognition, and he hopes his database will change that. “Without exception, air crews have been tremendously supportive and helpful of my endeavours, and the reaction from former
colleagues has been marvellous. It’s quite moving when they finally realise they are getting their medals after all these years.” • Doug Wingfield’s spreadsheet and contact details are at the Vietnam War website: http:// www.vietnamwar.govt.nz/veteran/lac-d-wingfield. Once there, follow the link to the spreadsheet: ‘All Vietnam Flights by 41 Squadron RNZAF’ For help or a chat, contact Doug at wingfield. douglas@gmail.com
Sid Corbett (above), who died suddenly at 97, was one of Rotorua’s older residents (born there on November 25, 1918). He was lucky though – his mother, Lizzie, contracted the “black flu” when she was pregnant, and Sid was born prematurely, weighing just over 1kg. His mother died four days later, leaving his father, Bill, with Sid and his two-year-old sister Eleanor (Billie). However, Lizzie’s sister, Kate, stepped in to effectively become their mum. Sid married Hawera girl Sylvie Thrush in 1951, and they had three children, Gary, Carol and Shona. They had a 50-year, fun-filled marriage of family, parties, golf, and bowls before Sylvie died in 2001. Sid found new companionship with Josie Gray, who, at 94, survives him. Sid was a milk delivery boy, butcher, taxi driver, pig buyer, real estate salesman, insurance salesman, electrical appliance salesman, superette proprietor, motel proprietor and head storeman. He was also one of the last few surviving members of the King’s Empire Veterans who saw active service in World War 2. In 1942 he shipped to Egypt with the 7th Anti-Tank Regiment where he was engaged in the battle with Rommel in the North African desert. He nearly lost his life at the Battle of Monte Cassino in Italy in 1944. He was renowned for his contribution to Rotorua clubs. He was a founding member of the Springfield Golf Club, the last surviving founding member of the Arawa Bowling Club (where he had held many offices, including president, and won many trophies) and had a reputation as “deadly” on the snooker table at the RSA or Citizens’ Club. But it is as a companion, dad, grandfather, great-grandfather and unfazed, smiling friend that he will be remembered. As well as a gentleman to all. - Supplied by son-in-law Rob Davis
OBITUARY
Jack Hardie Every year, on January 27, until he was 89 Jack Hardie parachuted out of an aeroplane. January 27 was the day he was shot down over Holland in 1943; the jump was to commemorate his surviving and subsequent two years in a German prisoner-of-war camp, and all those who died in World War 2. He had to stop because his doctor said he was 89 and needed to start acting like it, recalls his son, Noel Hardies. John Douglas Hardie – father, inventor, farmer, World War 2 pilot, and prison camp survivor, died on March 11, aged 97. Born on January 17, 1919, he was raised by his parents on a small farm near Timaru. He married Elma Abernethy, and they had five children– Rae, Duncan, Noel, Claire and Bruce – 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. A superb raconteur, Jack Hardie wrote From Timaru to Stalag VIII B: A Kiwi Airman’s Wartime
Left: Jack Hardie, centre, with prime minister John Key (left) and Hector Crichton at the Motueka War memorial in 2014. Right: Jack in front of an Oxford aeroplane at Wigram, 1942.
Story, which was published in 1991. He joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in August 1941 as a pilot, training in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. All new pilots were required to co-pilot a mission over enemy territory before taking charge of an aeroplane. He was co-piloting a Halifax bomber when it was shot down over Holland in 1943. Only
three of the seven crew survived. He was sent to Stalag VIII B, a prison camp predominantly for Allied airmen, where he spent the next two years. Noel Hardie says his father often spoke of “the boredom, the hunger and the cold”. He said he was hungry from the day he was shot down to the day they marched out. When the Soviet armies resumed their offensive
in January 1945, many of the prisoners were marched west for 60 days – a journey later dubbed “the death march”– keeping in front of the Russians, and guns resounding not far away. Many did not survive the journey They were liberated by American troops in April, and Jack was sent back to the UK before being shipped to New Zealand in June 1945. He was invalided for several months with injuries sustained when shot down, many of which had not healed properly. He and Elma married in November 1945 in Dunedin, and they bought a sheep and cropping farm near Waimate where they lived until 1973 when they moved to the West Coast. Jack Hardie invented several products, including a quick-release ear-tagger for cattle and the Hardie strap, a low-pressure method for treating fencing posts. In 1982 Jack and Elma retired to Motueka “for the warmth and the lifestyle”. After Elma’s death in 1996, Jack married Lorna Goodall, a tramping friend; they had 18 years together before Lorna died seven weeks before Jack.
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RSA REVIEW • Autumn 2016
THE LAST POST WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
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BAIRD IJB 444741 21st Bn, 2NZEF NZ Army, WWII 28/12/2015 Kerikeri BANSALL-ALLEN DW 23062645, R665353 Royal Norfolk Regt, MN Group 54.1 21/03/2016 Pahiatua BARNARD DE 413974 RNZAF, WWII 18/10/2015 Christchurch BATE DW 445979 03/03/2016 Blenheim BEBAN S 698761 CMT 29/02/2016 Te Awamutu BERGQUIST R 448940 NZ Army, WWII 08/03/2016 Auckland BETTS M 20/02/2016 Benheim BISHOP A 30/05/2016 Renwick BLACK BR 8634 RNZN, WWII 25/01/2016 Kaiapoi BLACK CW NZ4213145 RNZAF WO1 9 Sqn, RAF, WWII 07/05/2016 BLACKIE PL J86074 RNZAF, WWII 10/04/2016 Tauranga BLANK JA 81780 NZ Army 19/01/2016 Taupo BLEWITT IL 811344 NZWAAC, WWII 27/12/2015 Thames BOARD PH 11408888 03/01/2016 Havelock North BOND ER 648874 01/05/2016 Taupo BOSWELL DW NZ 444339, 71796 RNZAF - 14 Sqd; 5 Sqd, WWII 21/04/2016 Eastbourne - Wellington BOURNE DW 517137 NZ Army 08/03/2016 Papamoa BRANTON PM 811448 04/04/2016 Tauranga BROADBRIDGE T 4103659 RAF, Cyprus 15/01/2015 Te Awamutu BROCKETT R KX96479 RN, WWII Oamaru BROWN JM 16515 RNZN 18/05/2016 Dunedin BROWN KJ 890252 NZ Army, Inf Regt 20/12/2014 Kaiapoi BROWN WE 0/7372 RNZNVR, WWII 11/03/2016 Hamilton BUDGE LA 429140 Bomber Command, WWII 11/04/2016 Tauranga BUDGEN RR 1898672, 76472 RAF, NZRAF, WWII 20/04/2016 Hamilton BULLOCK RGH 3687105 C/JX/247445 RN, RNZN, WWII 10/02/2016 Nelson BURGESS BV 569361 RNZAF 24/04/2016 Napier BURGESS TK 56335 5th Fd Ambulance, WWII 05/02/2016 Tauranga C
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Christchurch NEWTON KA NZ3112 RNZN, WWII 28/05/2016 Whanganui NISBET CR 307212 NZ Army, WWII 10/02/2016 Whangarei NUTIRA MH 823796 NZ Army, Arty 27/03/2013 Kaiapoi NUTT A FX106299 RN Fleet Air Arm, WWII 12/06/2015 Kaiapoi O
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KEMP BC 594986 NZ Army 08/05/2016 Napier KENNEDY HD 850652 NZ Army, NZ Service 15/02/2016 Kerikeri KERINS PD 621995, 4215879 NZ Army RNZAF 25/05/2016 Dunedin KING MW 7093 RNZN, WWII 18/03/2016 Thames L
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NAIRN SC 26541 NZ Army, WWII 05/03/2016 Australia NAPIER SW 1710272 RAF 06/01/2016 Flaxmere NASH GH 14188287 Rengs, British Army 25/02/2016 Hamilton NEAL EI 818082 NZ Army, WWII 12/02/2016 Orewa NEESON PWN 4210192 RNZAF, WWII 18/01/2016 Christchurch NEWMAN P NZ Army 13/04/2016 Blenheim NEWMAN SF 22410703 British Army 21/11/2015
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RALPH F M15352 RNZN Taupo ROBERTSON RW 392068 RNZAF, WWII 27/03/2016 Tauranga ROBINSON T 1662420 RNZAF, WWII 11/04/2016 Auckland ROSS CR 8004 RNZN 30/05/2016 Invercargill RUFFELL TSA 244 RNZN, WWII 20/03/2016 Palmerston North S
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TAIT RG 391427 RNZAF, WWII 08/02/2016 Christchurch TAMAKI M 462371 NZ Regt, Malaya 25/12/2015 Te Awamutu TAYLOR GWA 4311232 RNZAF, NZ Army, WWII 15/09/2015 Christchurch TE AIKA JET NZ 11768 RNZN, Korea 24/02/2012 Kaiapoi THOMAS GV 2573491 Royal Signals, WWII 17/04/2016 Hamilton THOMPSON KK 39548 NZ Army 14/02/2016 Picton THORN CD 27559 NZ Army, WWII 31/01/2016 Christchurch TOMPKINS AJ 14905413 NZ Army, WWII 13/03/2016 Taupo
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RSA REVIEW • Autumn 2016
Lost Trails Leith Athol Fletcher
Contact or information sought on Leith Athol Fletcher, from Christchurch, who joined the Royal New Zealand Navy in August 1956 as an apprentice. Contact: Roger Bearley – 07 8671986; abby_s@ clear.net.nz.
WWar 2 dispatch riders
Contact sought with any World War 2 motorcycle dispatch Rider for an article. Can visit, or contact through phone, letter or email. Contact: Ian – 09 2386833; dispatch. rider@barnstormers.co.nz; Dispatch Rider, P O Box 495, Pukekohe 2340.
Alexander McConnell relative
Looking for relatives of Flight Commander Alexander Donovan McConnell, of Dunedin. Born in Dunedin January 22, 1919, son of Thomas. and Ellen Edith McConnell (nee Donovan). Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on his
second tour with his crew of RAF 550 Squadron. Married Cpl Betty McConnell (nee Keen) WAAF (UK). from Headlingly, England. His Lancaster crashed on June 17, 1944 and he is buried in Rusthof Cemetery, Leusden, The Netherlands. Contact: Gerard van der Vliet – gerardmartijn@ yahoo.com.
Herman Brown
Gordon McGhie is seeking a photo of his grandfather, Herman Brown 10/3498, B Company, 2nd Wellington Regiment, World War 1. He returned to New Zealand on the ship Maheno in 1917 and died in Hastings in 1930. Contact: Gordon McGhie – gandsmcghie@xtra. co.nz.
George Crichton Tait Brian Tait wonders if anyone can help with where in France his father, George Crichton Tait, served in World War 1. He was originally from
Hawera, where he was a chemist. He was gassed while trying to get horses out of the front line. Contact: Brian – Brifitait@gmail.com
Maurice Wheeler
Information sought about Maurice Wheeler, from the North Island. Thought to have fought in the Pacific Islands. His RSA number was n82z n665022. Contact: Lynette – macfamilie@xtra.co.nz.
Medals Reunited
members of the public, collectors, and public agencies (police, law firms – deceased estates, service clubs, op shops etc). His work is supported by the NZDF medals policy adviser and medals section staff. He routinely follows up “found” medal cases published in Lost Trails. He says that successfully reuniting medals and ephemera with veterans; families or descendants is his sole aim and reward. Contact: Ian Martin, Medals Reunited New Zealand – 03 5467728; 027 9404495; medalsreunitednz@ gmail.com; medalsreunitednz.co.nz; P O Box 8034, Nelson Mail Centre, Nelson 7042.
Ian Martyn – a 37-year New Zealand military veteran – has founded Medals Reunited New Zealand©, which is dedicated to reuniting lost/ found war and service medals (and associated ephemera) with families. MPNZ researches the medals to find the appropriate family or descendant to whom the items should be returned. MRNZ started work in 2014. The service is voluntary and free for those wishing to return or search for medals. MRNZ is sustained by donations of medals that are found or in the possession of
Services badge found
World War 2 veteran Ron Piaggi, now aged 95, has sent us these photos which he has kept since his war days. They were taken on the HS Maunganui, which was a hospital ship during the war. The nurses (pictured) were among those posted to the Maunganui. The Maunganui, which was built in Glasgow in 1911, was actually in its second war. After working on the trans-Tasman passenger service for three years, she was requisitioned by the New Zealand government in 1914 as troop carrier. After the war, the ship was returned to Union Line and worked on its San Francisco service. In 1936, she was transferred to the Wellington-Lyttelon-Foveaux StraitSydney run, then South Sea cruises from Auckland. In 1937, she carried the New Zealand contingent to Sydney for Anzac Day. For the first 18 months of World War 2, she continued trans-Tasman, but in 1941 was again requisitioned for war duty. This time she was a hospital ship dedicated to transporting New Zealand, Australian, British, Indian and South African sick and wounded; in 1945, she was transferred to the British Pacific fleet.
By 1946 Union in 1946, Maunganui had travelled more than two million miles and Union decided she was of no further use. The New Zealand registry was closed in 1947, she was sold to a Greek line, and scrapped on February 6, 1957.
Services badge while metal detecting. Research on the number on it comes up with someone from World War 1, but finder is pretty sure the badge is from World War 2. Now trying to identify the family name. The crown on the front of badge in crown has 49 on it; the back has N 40393. Contact: Chris – gunsmith50@hotmail.com.
THE LAST POST TONER BA 397191 NZ Army, WWII 08/12/2015 Christchurch TRACEY RE 40384 1 NZ Inf Regt, Malaya 23/02/2016 Matamata TURNBULL WJ 817939 J Force, WWII 23/02/2016 Hastings v
VARCOE SJA 727755 NZ Army 22/05/2016 Dunedin VOSS R 272764 22nd Fd Ambulance, WWII 21/03/2016 Palmerston North VRANJES FS 453207 WWII 18/02/2016 Stanmore Bay W
WADDELL DR 458404 NZ Army 20/01/2016 Red Beach WALKER RA Richmond Tasman WALSH JB 459924 CMT 18/02/2016 Hamilton WARD JG 330765 NZ Army 12/05/2016 Tauranga WARD P K85569 RNZAF 21/04/2016 Dunedin WATSON WM 5517 RNZN, WWII 16/04/2016 Lake Wakatipu WEBB PM 377080 CMT 14/05/2016 Hamilton
WHITE TJ NZ4086 RNZN, WWII 24/04/2016 Whangarei WHITE WJ 443005 NZ Army, RNZAF, WWII 27/09/2015 Christchurch WILLCOX W 4310510 RNZAF, NZARMY, WWII 01/05/2015 Christchurch WILLIAMS DJ 23433634 British Army, Cyprus 30/03/2016 Greenmeadows WILLIGERS AJH 290720077 Dutch Army 20/04/2016 Tauranga WILSON CJ 208803 RNZDG, Malaya/Borneo Cambridge WILSON JG 37298 NZ Army, Malaya 29/08/2015 Christchurch WOOD KL V759456 19/01/2016 Hastings WORDSWORTH LV 527007 CMT, NZ Army 19/05/2016 WRIGHT GFJ 75121 28/03/2016 Tauranga WRIGHT H 252342 RNZN, WWII 08/04/2016 Tauranga z
ZENTVELD AA 38557 NZ Army, Malaya 12/02/2016 Palmerston North ZUIDERWIJK CM 30517 Dutch Navy, WWII Cambridge
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If you can identify anyone in Ron’s photos, had personal experience with Maunganui, or can tell us anything about the ship and its activities, we’d love to hear from you. Contact – Dion Crooks, RSA Review, 03 9835505, dion@waterfordpress.co.nz, or Ron Piaggi, 8/12 Fagan Place, Mangawhai Heads, Warkworth 0505; 09 4315180
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20 Remembering
RSA REVIEW • Autumn 2016
BOMBINGS, NEAR DROWNINGS, MUTINY AND Neil Grant Pressure. Will I get to work on time? Have I paid the power bill? Did I remember to turn the oven off? All that pressure. It’s enough to drive you crazy. Outstanding Australian cricketer and RAF Mosquito pilot in World War Two, and allround wonderfully insubordinate Keith Miller, understood pressure. When an interviewer asked how he coped with pressure in a test match, he replied, disdainfully, “Pressure? Pressure is a Messerschmitt up your arse. Cricket isn’t.” Jim France, from Timaru, comes from that mould. Born in 1922, he was working as a shepherd for Arthur Elworthy whose son, John Elworthy, was then commander of the training cruiser, HMS Philomel. In October 1940, a month after his 18th birthday, Jim and the farm’s tractor driver were promptly enlisted into the navy. “I’d never seen a ship before in me life,” Jim says. “We had to get to Auckland – all night in the train. It was pretty hard going. I didn’t know where I was going. I didn’t know anything. It was a big how d’you do. At Devonport, we were there about a week, enough time to build a hammock, and the next thing I was on board the armed merchant ship, Monowai as a stoker. All its stokers were T124 merchant seamen and they went on strike, so I was railroaded onto the Monowai. Never seen a boat in me life. It had this big engine. Bloody scary.” The Monowai was an escort ship for convoys heading for San Francisco. In November 1941, he sailed on the KLM Tasman to join HMS Sultan, a navy base in Singapore. The Tasman ran aground in the Bali Strait, but eventually reached Singapore via the western end of Sumatra. “When we got to Singapore, we couldn’t move. It was full of survivors from the Prince of Wales and the Repulse. It was terrible – the poor men had no clothes or anything. “I got drafted onto a minesweeper going away up the Malacca Straits. We were blown out of the water by Japanese planes. We got ashore and had to walk down Kuala Lumpur way through rubber plantations. It took a few weeks, then we got a ride on a Chinese sampan.” As the Japanese advanced down the Malayan Peninsula, his next task was aboard a vessel towing a barge full of explosives to demolish the Johor Causeway connecting Singapore to the mainland. Back on a minesweeper as the frantic evacuation of Singapore took place, he recalls having to clean the boiler and deal with coal that was loaded into the ship’s bunkers in baskets carried up the gangway by the crew. “Singapore was on fire when we left. Boats were sinking. We got down to Batavia (Jakarta) after picking up survivors from the Battle of the Java Sea.” “We sailed on to Fremantle. Nobody wanted us
Jim France’s World War 2 navy adventures included running aground in the Bali Strait, being blown out of the water by Japanese planes while crewing on a minesweeper in the Malacca Straits, and diving to retrieve live shells in Bombay.
there. The Monowai came in, so we got on board it and got home. I went into hospital because I’d got a skin disease and all my skin fell off.” On arriving home, Jim learned from a friend the shocking news that both his parents had died. He spent several months as stoker on a minesweeper around the Hauraki Gulf “I got on the Leander that had been torpedoed in the Solomons. They put a patch on her. We had only one boiler so we had a slow trip to Boston via the Panama Canal to get more permanent repairs. Two US cruisers escorted us all the way. It was snowing like buggery there, and we had to keep ice off the guns. We were there quite a while. Some Masons took me home and treated me like royalty. “I joined a new ship, HMS Tyler. We went to Portland Maine. The rum locker was in the stokers’ mess deck, and someone forgot to lock it. There wasn’t a sober stoker on board. They had to stop there for two days for everyone to sober up.” Tyler sailed for Londonderry, then Portsmouth, where Jim experienced German air raids. Here he took a diver’s course. Diving to retrieve planes sunk in the harbour earned him an extra
two shillings and sixpence every hour he was down below. Drafted onto HMNZS Achilles, he spent time patrolling the North Sea,. Then they sailed for New Zealand via the Suez Canal. At Trincomalee in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) his diving skills were used in the repair of a floating dock that had broken its back.. Another job in Bombay involved retrieving shells that had dropped into the harbour in a sling mishap. “You had mud up to your neck. It made it hard to find them.” The Achilles had a bent tailshaft which wore out the big wooden bearings. She went twice to the US base at Manus Island in Papua New Guinea to repair these. Achilles took part in bombarding Japanese forces on Truk Island near the end of the war. After the surrender she went to Japan before returning to New Zealand and a victory cruise around the country, including his home port of Timaru. When the Achilles went back to Great Britain. Jim and his mates took a large quantity of tinned fruit with them, hoping to sell it there, but their prices were too high. The same thing happened when they went to Ireland. However, on the
plus side, he met a lovely girl while he was in Dublin. The Achilles was paid off in Portsmouth, and Jim returned to New Zealand on the cruiser HMNZS Bellona in 1946. Then followed a series of events not widely known. New Zealand Navy history books in the library seem to ignore the mutinies of 1947. Wikipedia covers them and the book, Mutiny! Naval Insurrections in Australia and New Zealand, by Tom Frame and Kevin Baker, goes into them in detail. Briefly; enlisted sailors on four ships and two shore bases objected to their poor pay compared to soldiers and airmen, and poor working and living conditions. The Government had promised a review before the election, but reneged on the deal. With no effective way of making their dissatisfaction known, about 100 sailors on HMNZS Philomel and others on HMNZS Black Prince and HMNZS Arbutus marched off the base. In settlement, most chose discharge, but were severely penalised. A week later 18 sailors on HMNZS Tasman and HMNZS Hautapu refused work. All were later imprisoned for two or three weeks. While this was happening, the Bellona was
Jim (at left) with navy mates aboard HMS Achilles. In December, 2015, he was invited to the Navy Operational Diving Team reunion dinner in Takapuna to give a speech to 100 former and current navy divers.
Remembering
RSA REVIEW • Autumn 2016
MUD UP TO YOUR NECK – JIM’S SEEN IT ALL
Jim France was a shepherd working in South Canterbury before enlisting in the navy in October, 1940, a month after his 18th birthday.
in Australia. When she returned to Auckland, 100 of her crew decided not to return to the ship after Anzac Day leave. Jim was one of these, and he returned to Timaru. A couple of weeks later, a local policeman advised him to return to Auckland to face the music. He and others were sent to Ardmore Military Prison. Letters from home stating he was needed on the farm saw him being able to get a discharge by purchase. “I bought my way out, and lost all my deferred pay.” Later, he got a rehab loan to buy a farm at Albury, a farm still run by his son, one of Jim and wife Thelma’s three children. “It was covered in rabbits. I sat in a plane with a sugar bag of carrots laced with 1080 and tipped them out.” In December 2015, Jim was invited to the Navy Operational Diving Team reunion dinner in Takapuna. There the 93 year-old gave a speech to around 100 former and current divers. “They were marvellous to me. I didn’t think they would want to know me, but they thought I was Christmas. Jim now lives in the Strathallan Rest Home,
Jim attends VJ Day in Wellington.
in Timaru. His legs are crook, but his mind is as sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel. He gets to the farm on occasions and spends time with his Masonic Lodge mates. “I’ve had an exciting life. It was frightening. I came from the backblocks and, all of a sudden, I’m in the middle of a war. I was lucky to get off Singapore. Tin arse, I reckon. There were a lot of nurses went to Singapore with us. I often wonder what happened to those poor girls.” So, there you have it. A young shepherd from the backblocks becomes a stoker sweating in an engine room wondering what’s happening upstairs. His ship runs aground. He gets blown out of the water and has to swim ashore. No-one bothers to tell him he is orphaned. He dons a claustrophobic diving helmet and suit and gets lowered into murky waters to retrieve live ammunition, totally dependent on his mates above pumping air down to him. He defies the naval authorities because the, at that time, widely revered prime minister Peter Fraser betrays the men who had risked their lives for king and country. Pressure? Keith Miller would have accepted that.
After taking a diving course in Portsmouth, Jim worked on retrieving planes sunk in the harbour, earning him an extra two shillings and sixpence every hour he was down below.
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RSA REVIEW • Autumn 2016
PHOTOS: Above – Veteran Colin Couch brings up the rear of the parade followed by a NZLAV; left – Mark Wheeler, Rob Penman and Craig Marwick on the long march up Princess St; lower left – Brigadier Neville Reilly, colonel commandant of the Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps, about to sample Scottish shortbread offered by Sue Cantwell and Noel Graham. Bottom right – John Lane, Harold Harris and Kevin Thompson assemble before the parade.
END OF AN ERA FOR SC Story, photos: John Cosgrove
The New Zealand Scottish Regiment finally passed into history as its colours were laid up at the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum on April 16. While the laying up of the colours marked the disbandment of the last components of the regiment, the museum director, Jennifer Evans, said it was a significant event for both parties. “The New Zealand Scottish Regiment has had a Dunedin base since it was established. We are privileged to be taking over the care and preservation of its colours. “This recognises Dunedin’s Scottish heritage, and its connections with the New Zealand Defence Force.” The occasion was the end of an era for the regiment, which was known for its distinctive highland dress and glengarry bonnets at ceremonial events, and the tartan of the famous Black Watch Regiment, with which the unit was affiliated. “The Scots colours were not just flags – they were unique in their design and had brought New Zealanders of Scottish descent together,” says Maj Kevin Williams, second in command of the Queen Alexandra’s Mounted Rifles (QAMR).
“Under these colours they trained, bonded with each other and shared experiences since the start of World War 2. Their lineage has been recorded and the unit’s identity is forged in these colours,”. “There is a certain amount of sadness in laying up the colours, but instead of being laid up in a church where they will decay, we are pleased they are going to a museum where they will be well preserved for ex-members of the regiment and future generations to view.”
Remembering
RSA REVIEW • Autumn 2016
PHOTOS – Left: The Colours are handed over to the director of Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, Jennifer Evans. Above _– Scots host Iain Seatter recites a poem by Robbie Burns about the haggis. Right – Dave Armstrong (front right) flew in from Australia to march in the parade of veterans. Bottom right – Two veterans adjust their berets in preparation for the parade.
COTTISH REGIMENT
The New Zealand Scottish Regiment was established in January 1939 after the New Zealand Army was lobbied for a number of years to follow other Commonwealth countries in having a kilted Scottish regiment. The attraction of the highland uniform helped boost recruitment at a time when the prospect of war was growing ever closer. Units of the regiment were set up in Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland as part of the Territorial Army. The regiment was later
converted from an infantry to an armoured corps unit. On April 16, the colours were paraded through Dunedin with a 100-man guard made up primarily of QAMR soldiers with assistance from 2/4 Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, as well as several New Zealand light armoured vehicles, the New Zealand Army Band, a piper and former members of the regiment. The parade , from Queens Garden Rattray and Princes streets to the upper Octagon, where the NZDF was challenged by the New Zealand Police. “QAMR exercised the NZ Scottish Regiment’s charter for the final time by marching through the streets of Dunedin with drums beating, colours flying and swords drawn,” says Williams. “The charter was then returned to the Dunedin City Council as part of the laying up of the colours ceremony.” From the Octagon the parade moved down Stuart St to the museum where military officials and guests watched the laying up of the colours ceremony. The colours went on public display at the museum in late April. A dinner at a nearby hotel that night was attended by more than 130 former members of the various Scottish units that were associated with the regiment over its 78-year history.
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RSA REVIEW • Autumn 2016
The Warrior The Warrior walked alone, He walked with thousands He was in the jungle, and the desert He fought with a rifle. from a tank. In the navy, he rode a camel He was brave , he was frightened He fought the Germans and the Turks He fought alongside, the English and the Australians He was a free man, he was a prisoner of war. He travelled he saw Egypt, Amman, Gallipoli, Anzac Cove, He never left home He lived, He died He was wounded, he fought again. He was whole, He lost a limb. He hated the war, He lived to fight. He earned a Military Medal, He died unrecognised He lived to eighty-nine, he died at twenty-one. He had a courageous sergeant, His officer was a coward. He lost his best mate, he made new friends He killed men, many men, He never saw action He drove an ambulance, he was a pilot He was a padre, He saw God in men. He slept the sleep, sleep was hell He lived with cannon and shell. he enjoyed the quiet He was a Maori, He was a Pakeha He was a Kiwi. a New Zealander A Warrior who walked the world with God and he walked the world alone Today we remember him, the aggressor, the gentle soul The man of steel, the man of kindly ways. who travelled to give us a future, and a life under Democracy We remember you ,Oh Warrior, Oh Man of grief. Of the battlefields of World War 1 We cry your loss, we mourn your dead. We rejoice in your life Your memory lives on and we remain in your debt Oh Soldier of ours. The Warrior from New Zealand. Amen • Written by Maitland Manning (Waipawa & Districts RSA) and dedicated to his uncle, Lt Charles Thorby, Imperial Camel Corp, died Amman, March 30, 1918 .
Names on a Cenotaph In every city town and village across this glorious sea-girt land plinths of cold grey granite in the town centre now stand There the names are listed local men who fell on duty’s path gave their life for their country now names on a cenotaph They heard not the muffled drum nor the plaintive bugle call The only sign they once lived their names on this concrete wall No goodbye to dear mother or last embrace of a devoted wife Gone from the sight of men to sleep in the afterlife. Loved ones’ tears long dried Raw grief has been swept away No one left to mourn them or grieve as they decay
We stand here and wonder and pay homage to this brave band They left their town to fight and die now buried in a distant land. The sun’s warming rays caress the cold granite in their path and the sunrise throws its arms open to kiss the names on the cenotaph. Sleep well our glorious dead • Written by Bill Conroy (Bay of Plenty) in 2015. He is a writer, researcher and poet.
From time to time our readers send in poems, some that they have read and been impressed by; others that they have written themselves. Space often makes it hard to publish them immediately, but we do not forget. In this issue, we have gathered together a sample of some of your poetry relating to Anzac Day and remembering.
Thames to Trafalgar Square In London’s great Trafalgar Square You’ll see a tall lean Kiwi there Upon a lofty pedestal This man born in Coromandel A Kiwi bloke of dash and dare Who is he and why is he there? Let’s go back to 1914 A hundred years intervene To the war to end all wars Never was there a greater Cause To heed the mother country’s call Fight for freedom for one and all Adventure to exotic lands See how the mighty world expands In places only dreamed about ‘Yes’ was young Keith Park’s eager shout Sailed to the distant Pharoahs’ land Pyramids and dusty hot sand Unaware of the fate in store Sent to Anzac Cove’s bloody shore But it was in Gallipoli Adventure died leaving duty In mud and rain, blood, death and hell Even so, there he would excel How he survived, a mystery Midst pain and fire and dysentery But his courage was well noted To 2nd Lieut soon promoted Then sent to the war zone in France Stop Germany’s wicked advance There was shot off his faithful horse ‘No more riding for you of course’
If I can’t ride, a plane I’ll fly! Soon Keith was master of the sky Determined to do his duty Free the world of German cruelty Twice he was shot but rose again Retaliating despite pain His Bristol Fighter was an ace With young Keith in the cockpit’s place Into the enemy he forged Twenty victories he soon scored. The war honed this young Kiwi lad So when next Germany went mad Keith was the man of the hour In Britain’s Battle for power It was Keith’s skill and gallantry Secured the air supremacy Although outnumbered three to one Strategy saw the deed was done. Honoured with knighthood and medal This brave man from Coromandel Walked with king, premiers and such Yet kept the humble human touch And that’s why this man of the air Stands today in Trafalgar Square. • Written by Norma Riley in honour of Sir Keith Park (London statue, right) in March 2014. Park was a New Zealander who was decorated in World War 1 and was the Battle of Britain mastermind in World War 2.
Poem for the Temuka RSA They came from near and far, and that’s a fact One hundred years ago to be exact Clerks, carpenters labourers, the humble kitchen hand Blacksmiths, miners, mechanics and workers of the land Each keen and eager to make a stand All proud to go out and show the world As they March to war behind their flag unfurled They travelled by land and sea And landed at a place called Gallipoli Little did they know of the horrors to be In battles to come that would be part of history The blood, the bullets, the screaming shells from artillery With bodies strewn as far as the eye could see
They grew up fast in the weeks ahead As they crawled among the wounded and the dead Many remained where they lay and never came home And their names are now etched in marble and stone They shall not grow old and we that are left grow old Those gallant young men so brave and so bold We will remember them again and again it is said And remember them we must, our glorious dead They gave their tomorrow for our today Long ago in those lands so far away But in those distant days, so dark and forlorn
It could be said that our nation was born Side by side with our Australian friends they fought and died But spirit of the Anzacs to this day has survived The bugles have ceased now but they will sound once more Like they did way back then on hundred years before For those fallen heroes on that distant shore In places called Anzac Cove and Chunuk Bair Just names to many, but not them, they were there. • Written for Anzac Day 2015 by a Temuka RSA member, Gordon McMeikan
The Veteran Soldier I met an old soldier yesterday I listened to what he had to say: ‘It was a good and glorious day In summertime when we marched away Thinking of foreign lands and romance Adventure, fun, and bravery’s chance. Oh yes, we thought of King and country And keeping New Zealand young and free. Young we were, confident and carefree Knew nothing about reality Of war or man’s inhumanity Or the price we’d pay for liberty Hunger, pain, sick with fever and fear Hearing the enemy’s guns come near Enveloped in the mud and the mire Dodging cruel bullets, bombs and gunfire Exploding shells and yells of rancour Broken bodies, bloody massacre. Watched comrades and brothers fall and die Horror and fear froze tears in our eye In any case soldiers never cry! Forced to stand and fight or surely die.
So on we went in sun, sleet and snow Marching to a death we did not know. Life and limb and youth were sacrificed For our country we were crucified.’ Tell me veteran soldier clear and plain Would you do it all over again? ‘I love this land with a passion true Spectacular beauty, bright and new I survived the war, one of the few But these are some of the things I rue ..’ Old eyes stared at me then looked away With a sigh, he said, ‘I’m sad to say No more is this the land I fought for Its values have changed forever more Even its face I don’t recognize Old New Zealand has met its demise. The peril we tried to keep at bay Has taken over our land today By means of peaceful penetration Thanks to the law of immigration.
In the world today I fear’, he said, ‘There’s still hatred, greediness and dread Bombs and beheadings, hijacks and crime What’s changed over the passage of time? I look at the grandchildren and see Tragic breakups of the family. Respect and discipline is not there Seem to have disappeared in thin air. War’s fought on many different levels Now it’s drugs and drink that bedevils.’ He paused, then continued with a ‘Yet Kiwi spirit’s hidden deep, I bet, And like green shoots can crack cement It’ll arise when it’s needed and meant.’ He gave me a smile and limped away Medals pinned to coat, hair of gray, Back bent, weak of heart and ear and eye Energy a fading lullaby.
• Written by Norma Riley – in April 2009.
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RSA REVIEW • Autumn 2016
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CENOTAPH LAUDED FOR UNIQUE FEATURES He’s an icon of the community and now the battle-ready soldier on the Papakura Cenotaph has been recognised as one of the country’s “notable” war memorials. A World War I centenary project carried out by Heritage New Zealand has focused attention on the Papakura-Karaka war memorial for its unique features. The organisation researched more than 50 war memorials around Auckland and the upper North Island last year. It set out to record historical information about them to tie in with the centennial commemorations of Gallipoli and other World War I battles. Heritage New Zealand Auckland co-ordinator Antony Phillips says preserving the historical information of the sites is crucial. “The project...comes at a time when many memorials commemorating this event are themselves approaching their first century.” The Papakura cenotaph, made of oamaru stone and featuring an armed soldier above a recumbent lion, stands out among those studied, he says. “Memorials depicting both a soldier with full fighting equipment as well as a lion are uncommon. “Many war memorials over the years have also taken a practical form, such as those dedicated as community halls.” The trend towards more “useful” memorials came after World War 2 when a government subsidy scheme discouraged more decorative and symbolic obelisks and statues. The Papakura monument, erected in 1921 and inscribed with 33 names, is also “unusual” because it’s likely to have been designed and crafted by two men who both fought in the war. T.S.McFarland is believed to have made the statue of the armed soldier under the direction of English sculptor William Henry Feldon, who carved the lion. The site was modified between 1951 and 1955 with a World War 2 memorial and a garden of remembrance. The Papakura Borough Council commissioned Auckland architect Lewis Walker to redevelop the memorial. “Walker set about incorporating memorial tablets with concrete walls that were raised, while also undertaking major redevelopment
Memorials depicting both a soldier with full fighting equipment as well as a lion are uncommon. Many war memorials have also taken a practical form, such as those dedicated as community halls. The trend towards more ‘useful’ memorials came after World War 2.
of the surrounding garden,” Phillips says. “His thoughtful approach meant that the importance of the older memorial was carefully preserved while still giving due reverence to the World War 2 memorial.” Among the fallen commemorated by the PHOTOS: Above – The Papakura Cenotaph has been recognised as one of the country’s best. Left – Antony Phillips...crucial that historical information of war memorial sites crucial.
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Papakura-Karaka war memorial are Reginald and Walter Costar, from Karaka. Walter Costar was awarded the Military Medal during World War 1 for repairing a gun while under heavy shellfire and for rescuing a comrade whose gun had been blown to pieces. Costar was
injured in December 1917 and died of his wounds. The memorial is within view of the Papakura Peace Oak, which was planted in 1919 by Rev W.C.Wood as a symbolic commemoration of peace and victory. Not much is known about the carver, T.S, McFarland, although he is believed to have lived locally. Antony Phillips says the little information found on McFarland comes from a local history book, Breakwater Against the Tide: A History of Papakura City and Districts, by Elsdon Craig. “Unfortunately we don’t have any other information on him though we’d be interested in hearing from anybody who does,” Phillips says. Feldon, on the other hand, was an accomplished artisan who served a five-year apprenticeship in sculpting at Oxford and taught carving and modelling. He came to New Zealand in 1910 and created a series of panels for Government House in Wellington. When war broke out in 1914, he joined up and served overseas. Feldon also won a number of design awards for war memorials in Bombay, Pokeno and Rotorua. He took “close personal interest” in maintaining his sculptures, says Phillips. When in 1932, the Papakura community became concerned about the degeneration of the cenotaph, Feldon was called in again to work on the memorial.
Kamo group aims for ‘definitive’ honour roll A group involved in restoring the Kamo War Memorial Hall wants to produce a definitive roll of honour for the Kamo area. This would be housed in the hall. “It will include those of both world wars and subsequent wars including Malaysia, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and others,” says Mike Mansell. “We welcome approaches with information concerning those who died on active service.” He says the Anzac Day commemoration at Gallipoli has increased in significance in recent years, and a corresponding local stirring was very evident when Whangarei’s war memorial was relocated to a new site in Laurie Hall Park. “We would like to include greater acknowledgement of servicepeople from Kamo,” he says “We want to record the names of Kamo’s fallen so that we can continue to be grateful for the sacrifice they made.”. The Kamo Hall was built in the 1950s when Kamo was a separate local authority governed by the Kamo Town Board. It was the concept of a local committee determined to honour the fallen in two world wars. It is now a public facility vested in the Whangarei District Council. “The hall is currently going through a cultural and physical renaissance, and is enjoying an overdue makeover internally and externally” he says.
Mike Mansell wants to produce a definitive roll of honour for the Kamo area.
Richard Smith, the long-time celebrant of the annual Anzac memorial service, has long wanted the hall to have a fitting tribute to the fallen of the Kamo district. • If you know of anyone from Kamo who died in wars overseas, contact: Mike Mansell – mikeandrosie95@gmail.com; 09 4322494.
26 Remembering
RSA REVIEW • WINTER 2016
Support & Well-Being
THERE’S NO NEED TO FEEL BREATHLESS Four years ago, Pauline Mohi, from Christchurch, was living her daily life feeling a shortness of breath and constant coughing. She thought it was normal and part of growing old; however, she eventually found out she had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). She and Teresa Demetriou, education services manager for Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ, talk about COPD.
Teresa says COPD often goes undiagnosed, and at least 200,000 (15 per cent) of the adult population may be affected.” “The condition can be diagnosed through a simple, lung-function test, known as spirometry. We recommend people aged 35 or over who smoke or have smoked ask their doctor about having a spirometry test.”
Symptoms Pauline describes her pre-diagnosis symptoms as “absolute shortness of breath and constant coughing”. She thought the breathlessness was part of growing old, and tried every cough medicine in the chemist (none of them worked). Teresa adds: “Other symptoms for COPD include difficulty breathing, especially with exercise, presence of phlegm, bronchitis and wheezing. It’s important for anyone experiencing any of these to get a check-up at their doctor. Causes Pauline says her COPD was caused by her smoking years ago. When told she had COPD, she was in disbelief as she hadn’t smoked in 25 years. Teresa says smoking is the most common cause of COPD, although some people develop it from exposure to air pollution, dust or chemicals. “This includes being exposed to second-hand smoke for long periods.” Diagnosis Pauline would not have got her symptoms
Pauline Mohi
checked by the doctor if it hadn’t been for persuasion from her then workplace. “I would have kept on putting up with it for some time. Other than being breathless, I was reasonably healthy. I thought ‘Oh gosh, I‘m not very fit’.” Nor was she used to going to a doctor: “I just never had to go to the doctor – I was never unwell.”
Management To manage the condition, Pauline did eight weeks of pulmonary rehabilitation – an exercise and education programme for people with chronic respiratory disease. When the doctor suggested the programme to Pauline, she thought: “If I’m breathless, why are you telling me to go to an exercise class. That’s ridiculous.” To her and many others, it didn’t make any sense. She says she hears time and again that many people just don’t go. However, after completing the rehabilitation programme, she is an advocate: “It has changed my life in many ways. It’s not that it’s easy to start off with, you’re just so breathless you think ‘This is crazy’. You just need to get past that point and keep persisting. I’m much healthier now, and can breathe a lot better than four years ago.” Support Pauline found the sense of community at rehabilitation incredibly important. “That part of being able to huff and puff and cough, and
not have people pull away from you like you have some dreaded disease is brilliant. “You learn so much. Every time you hear a speaker, you hear something new and better you can do. You also learn tips and tricks from one another. Some people get to a point where they don’t go out, and don’t socialise much at all. It could be from embarrassment about coughing, being breathless, and dealing with anxiety. There are pulmonary-rehabilitation support groups and people you can talk to, who understand what you’re going through and can help. Tips for winter “Learning not to breathe through your mouth,” says Pauline. “Breathing through your nose so that the air is warmed before it goes into your lungs is much better. Wrapping a scarf around your mouth to warm the air you breathe also helps.” During winter, people (whether they have COPD or not) tend to reduce their exercise levels or avoid it altogether. She encourages people to wrap up warmly and continue exercising. And Teresa strongly recommends a flu vaccination: “Even if you’ve had it before, it’s important to get the flu vaccine every year as protection lessens over time. This year there are two new influenza strains included in the vaccine that were not in the 2015 one.” • Resources and information on COPD: asthmaandrespiratory.org.nz.
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RSA Life
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RSA REVIEW • WINTER 2016
RSA Life
MURAL REMEMBERS GORE RSA FOUNDER Peter Owen They have high respect for history in the south. So much, in fact, that the Gore District Memorial RSA has persuaded the Gore District Council to change a street name to remember the man largely responsible for the formation of the RSA in 1917. Civic Avenue, the street on which the RSA and the council offices stand, is now Bowler Avenue, after the local solicitor, Col Edmund Bowler. There was widespread community support for the change of name, and Bowler is also commemorated by a large mural in the RSA car park and a vivid display at the main entrance. Edmund Bowler practised law in Gore before World War 1 and was instrumental in the setting up of many civic amenities in the town. He was also an officer in the New Zealand Territorial Force. When was declared in 1914, he rallied to the colours and was among the first soldiers sent to the Middle East from this country. He rose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel and was promoted to a position on the British staff conducting operations at Gallipoli. In this role, he was the first New Zealand soldier to come ashore at Gallipoli. As the Gallipoli Campaign ground on, Bowler became seriously concerned at the way the war was being waged and urged the British High Command to withdraw from the Dardanelles. He was ignored and, after suffering an injury, was evacuated from Gallipoli and convalesced in the United Kingdom. On his recovery, he was sent home despite pleas to return to battle.
Back in New Zealand, he revived his law practice and set about assisting the widows of soldiers and wives of the badly injured. He also cared for the interests of injured and returned men in the Southland district, which led to setting up the Gore Districts branch of the RSA. After the war, Bowler was joined in his law practice by R.B.Bannerman, a local man who had distinguished himself in the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Air Force. Bowler moved to Timaru in the early 1920s in an effort to recover his health, which had been impaired by the war. He died in Timaru in 1927. To commemorate its centenary the Gore and Districts RSA has embarked on a $1.5 million extension programme to accommodate its wide range of activities and burgeoning membership. The work, which includes a memorial “poppy wall”, was completed in time for this year’s Anzac Day commemorations when the branch’s facilities were the base for hundreds of people through the day. Gore RSA manager Steve Brinsdon says the expansion had been on the cards for some time, and it was great to tie it into the centenary. Much of the funding has come from the club’s reserves and the balance through a bank advance. The time was right, he says: “We can get it paid off while interest rates are low.” The expansion includes a conference or function room which will allow the club to cater for large conventions, weddings and meetings. “It gives us another room to cater for groups
The mural of Col Edmund Bowler on the Gore RSA carpark wall and the memorial poppy wall at right.
without having to close our bistro as we do now if we have bigger groups. And it will have another bar, which will make life easier.”
A wall with a poppy symbol is a feature on the Mersey St side, and “ties in nicely with the Cenotaph just along the road”, he says.
Left: Kaukapakapa researchers (from left): Sarah Legg, Isla Willis and Megan Paterson. Below: The Kaukapapka[pa war memorial.
Kaukapakapa women on a mission Isla Willis and Megan Paterson are on an Anzac mission. The Kaukapakapa women are working to compile photographs and service history of all 84 people commemorated on the Kaukapakapa World War 2 monument. They have 40 service people accounted for and are appealing for help in collecting details on the remaining 44. Megan Paterson, a self-employed interior designer, has lived in Kaukapakapa for 11 years, but doesn’t yet consider herself a local. She is a library volunteer and designed the town’s World War 2 monument in 2013. She plans to upload her historical findings to the Auckland War Memorial Museum’s online records, and also hopes to tie in with the On-line Cenotaph. Just of one of the 84 names commemorated is a woman, and Megan is keen to discover her background. She would love a photo of Vera Elizabeth Smith, who trained as a nurse at the Royal Prince Albert Hospital, Sydney. Isla Willis began compiling photos in the lead-up to Anzac Day 2013, to coincide with the new memorial.
RSA Life 29
RSA REVIEW • WINTER 2016
NZ VETERANS’ BAND TREAT FOR PAUANUI Finding brass bands to provide musical support for Anzac Day can be a battle for small communities. Not so this year in Pauanui, on the Coromandel. For this was the year the New Zealand Veterans’ Band came to town. The band, all former musicians of the New Zealand Defence Services, was formed in 2012 through the initiative of Michael Petterson, of Christchurch. A former army bandsman and former consul to Belguim, he brought the players together in 2012 to perform commemorative services and concerts on or near the World War 1 battlefields of Flanders and France. This tour was so successful and memorable that participants decided to reassemble regularly. After a year off in 2013 to recuperate, the band travelled to Queensland where it was hosted by the Tewantin-Noosa RSL, hosts for Anzac week 2014. The Aussies invited the band back for 2015. This year, the band decided to perform in New Zealand, and David and Rayna Leslie, and Bert and Jan Cullen arranged a week-long stay and performances at Pauanui and surrounding
The New Zealand Veterans’ Band gave a number of performances at Pauanui and its surrounding areas in the week leading up to Anzac Day.
communities. They organised accommodation, community events and activities, and community hosting, rehearsal facilities, and performances. These involved retreat ceremonies at the Whangamata RSA and the Pauanui Club, concerts at the Whangamata RSA, the Saturday market in Thames, and Pauanui (two); the Anzac Day dawn service and the late-morning citizens’ service at Pauanui. Performances of a different nature
took place at the Leslies, the Cullens, the bowls club, Hahei, Cathedral Cove and on the bus. A major strength of the band is the ability of many members to play more than one instrument. Several are conductor-players, others have administrative expertise, and some can perform drum major duties The band’s leadership is: Patron, Michael Petterson; founding director
of music, Chris Campbell; treasurer, Lindsay (Tubby) Brown; secretary/librarian, Wayne Shears; drum major, Peter Wilson; drum corps: Ron Abelson and Lou Moverley; MC, Tim McDavitt (also guitar, vocals, player); conductor duties, Ian Levien, Ron Abelson, John Knowles (also feature soloist), Tala Natapu, Tim McDavitt; principal cornet, Doug Rose; buglers, Doug Rose, Brian Hanify, Dennis Taylor, Frank Lundberg.
Whangarei honours 11 members Around 85 Whangarei RSA members, along with family and friends, gathered at a special awards ceremony to recognise and celebrate the contribution of 11 club members. The presentations were followed by finger food and a few drinkss to celebrate the occasion. The awards were made for a variety of services: van driving; gardening; funeral celebrants; helping with Anzac Day services; involvement with Fields of Remembrance; supporting school Anzac commemorations; helping with Poppy Day; attending RSA district meetings; work in women’s sections. The common factor was that all this work had been voluntarily. The recipients included
veterans from the Korea, Borneo, Malaya and Vietnam conflicts, CMT, and associate members. The certificates and badges (pins) were presented by national president B J Clark, assisted by Northland district RSA president Ian McDougal, and the citations were read by Whangarei RSA president Christopher Harold. Those honoured were: Life membership of Whangarei RSA: Clive Carter, Patricia Harbord, William Lillicrapp, John McBeth, Lorrayne McKay, Elaine Healey, Terence Healey, Norma Venables. Gold Badge and Bar for 30-year service to Whangarei RSA: D’Arcy Bailey. Royal New Zealand RSA M Badge: William McCoid, Christopher Harold.
The awards recipients: Front (from left), Ian McDougall, Christopher Harold, BJ Clark (national president). Middle (from left), D’Arcy Bailey, Terence Healey, Lorrayne McKay, Patricia Harbord, Norma Venables, William Lillicrapp, William McCoid. Back (from left) Clive Carter, John McBeth. Elaine Healey was absent.
30 RSA Life
RSA REVIEW • WINTER 2016
In brief Half century of commitment Half a century of commitment to the RSA was recognised on Anzac Day when Waipawa & Districts RSA member Murray Cameron was presented with a 50-year long-service certificate. He has made many visits to the elderly and the infirm in hospital and in retirement homes. The club’s immediate past president and RSA national board member Maitland Manning made the presentation. Below: Maitland Manning presents Murray Cameron with his long-service certificate.
The bronze statue created by Army Gunner Matt Gauldie is unveiled by Sergeant Shaun Maloney and Clubs Hastings president Trevor Hardie. Photo: Willy Ransfield.
NEW STATUE A POIGNANT REMINDER A bronze statue depicting a New Zealand soldier who died in battle now stands at the Clubs Hastings entrance. A tribute to all who have lost their lives in the service of their country, the statue was designed, created and delivered by army gunner Matt Gauldie. Gauldie, who was the New Zealand Defence Force artist for 11 years, says the statue took about six months from concept to creation.
He wanted to keep the design generic so that it would be a tribute to all who have fought for New Zealand. “The Hastings RSA asked me to submit a design no bigger than two metres for the entranceway.” He and the RSA settled on a mounted trooper not specific to any campaign. Horse-back bronze statues are traditionally used to pay tribute to heroes of war. The Hastings horse is leaping into eternity,
signifying that the animal and soldier did not return home. The position of the horse tells the story, says Gauldie. All fours on the ground portrays survival; if one foot is off the ground, the soldier was wounded; two legs off the ground, the soldier died.” The statue was unveiled on Anzac Day by Sgt Shaun Maloney and Clubs Hastings president Trevor Hardie.
Vet joins his dad and grandad on memorial Vietnam veteran Thomas Harris has finally joined his father and grandfather on his hometown war memorial –44 years after he returned from active service. Thomas grew up in Rai Valley, about 68 kilometres north of Blenheim, went to the Vietnam War in 1971 and returned to farming life in 1972. His name now sits next to his father, who served in Egypt, and his grandfather, who went to Gallipoli. The Rai Valley memorial includes the names of all soldiers who left from here – those who were killed and those who returned. Rai Valley Progress League member Faye Leov says this seemed to pose a problem to adding the names of Thomas Harris and four others to
the memorial. The process has taken several years, she says. “It felt like one step forward, three steps backward. It was the process of bureaucracy. Some authorities believed it was another big hurdle”
KEV promotion stand comes top of its class A stand at the Waikato Show proved a winner for the Te Awamutu King’s Empire Veterans (KEV) – it was judged “the best stand in show for small clubs”. And Ross Wardlaw, KEV Te Awamutu branch president and national vice-president, says the three seven-hour days the volunteers spent at the show proved a highly rewarding experience. He paid tribute to the huge effort from locals Dave
and Sheryl Erkkila and Craig and Joy Hayward, national secretary/treasurer Rich Thames, and his wife, Irene Wardlaw, who led the way in setting up the stall. “The biggest surprise was the number of people giving donations,” he says. Money received at the show will go to the welfare fund for returned service members. We were also pleased with the number of people who told they reserved Anzac Day to attend their local commemoration events.” The KEV organisation was affiliated to the RSA last year. Its membership is open anyone in the armed forces or police with medallic recognition, including the New Zealand Defence Force Medal. Left: Ross Wardlaw (left and Craig Hayward on the Te Awamutu KEV’s winning stand at the Waikato Show.
RSA Life
RSA REVIEW • WINTER 2016
Hometown snooker win fitting result Frank Adams and Kevin Simmons produced an appropriate home-club victory in the Otaki and Community Club’s inaugural Spike Angove memorial snooker tournament. Spike Angove, an active member of the club’s snooker adjunct, lost his life at Otaki beach. His wife, Frances Angove, and whanau donated a trophy for an over-50s snooker pairs tournament open to members from all clubs. The first tournament brpught together players from Manawatu, Whanganui, Wellington and Kapiti Coast.
Photo – from left: The winners Frank Adams and Kevin Salmons (Otaki RSA and Community Club), Frances Angove and the trophy, and the runners-up, Craven Teua and Peter Bevins (Palmerston North Cosmopolitan). Photo: Athol Corbett (Otaki RSA).
Katikati celebrates faithful foursome Waikato/King Country/ Bay of Plenty RSA district president Clive Collingwood presented four awards to Katikati RSA members ((from left), Raewyn Farrelly – certificate of appreciation; Bill Purcell – life membership Katikati RSA; Murray Rutherfurd – RNZRSA merit badge and certificate; Peter Sparrow – life membership Katikati RSA.
Life membership honour for Tauranga RSA members Bob McLintock (left) and Bill West (centre) celebrate their Tauranga RSA life membership awards with their wives, Jan McLintock (second from left), Rosalie West (second from right) and RSA district president Clive Collingwood (right).
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32 Remembering
RSA REVIEW • WINTER 2016
CHANGES PROVE POPULAR AT WAIHEKE Sue Russell Over the five years since Brendon Denchy took over as secretary/manager, Waiheke RSA numbers have steadily increased by around 100 a year. Not surprisingly, he sees a healthy and bright future for the RSA as it reaches out to embrace its wider community. “We are definitely targeting a different, younger clientele, and providing entertainment and services to meet their wishes,” he says. “This has been a real group effort and I work with an amazing team who all want to see this club continue to flourish.” His approach in reviewing the operation of the club was to break down the club’s four distinct activity centres, and treat them as separate operational entities. “Welfare was always doing well and performing its core responsibilities to meet the needs of the service personnel, but we soon realised that the bar was not providing the products the target market wanted.” Cask wine was replaced with locally sourced bottled wine and served in new wine glassware. Newer varietals have found their way on to the bar shelves. At the same time, RTDs that weren’t selling were removed while the range of 330ml beer options has increased. “Light beer on tap proved popular with the same patrons who had been drinking the Forces Ale and we found a local craft beer provider to supply brews on an ongoing basis.” The bar itself received a facelift in February last year. It has been modernised, shelving has been replaced, and the bar now operates much better ergonomically for bar staff.
PHOTOS – Above: An Aerial shot of the Waiheke RSA location taken three years ago when the club celebrated its 20th anniversary. Right: Members relax in the club lounge.
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Remembering
RSA REVIEW • WINTER 2016
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Dame Kiri donates Gallipolli wreath to Russell RSA
Ron and Daphne Hulse celebrate the return of his medals.
`Irreplaceable’ medals lost – then found Ron Hulse had plenty of reasons to be cheerful on Anzac Day this year. It was the first Anzac Day the former Howick RSA president had spent back for at his “home” club in a few years, and he had just received morale-boosting news. In March, the former Royal New Zealand Navy man lost his six medals at the funeral of a fellow ex-serviceman at Devonport Naval Base. He recalls the sinking feeling when he got home and thought “the jacket’s light”, then realised his medals weren’t attached to his suit or in a pocket. Ron, 84, notified the police and the RSA national headquarters, and put the word out. A few days before Anzac Day he received the news he wanted to hear – the medals had been found, about seven kilometres from Devonport. On discovering the medals, Cleith Tausi, a site manager doing maintenance work, contacted a medal restorer who advised him to check for engraved names. He found a name and phoned
Ron, who confirmed that one medal was still missing. So, Cleith Tausi resumed the search and found the sixth medal which Ron describes as “irreplaceable” – it was awarded to him 15 years ago for his service by the government of South Korea. Ron, who travelled to Mr Tausi’s home a week before Anzac Day to collect his prize possessions, is very appreciative of the medal-finder’s efforts. “I’m a very lucky boy,” he says. “They’re so important to me. We’ll definitely keep them in the family and they will be passed on to my son and grandsons. They’ll never leave the family.” The medals sustained some damage, which has been repaired. Ron Hulse is the longest-serving member of the Howick RSA; he joined in 1960 and was president from 2000-2003 and vice-president a year earlier. He was awarded life membership last year.
Numbers on the increase at Waiheke From page 32 However, these changes are just stage one, says Brendon. The gaming machines have been removed from a central space to their own dedicated area, something guests had wanted for some time, leaving an open lounge area free and more suitable as a family environment. To top off the changes, the sports-bar area was gutted and renovated, and the snooker table, which was getting less and less use, was sold and replaced with two 8 ball tables with the aim of appealing to a “younger crowd”. “The 8 ball tables are free and two dartboards
The Waiheke RSA has replaced its snooker table with two 8 ball tables.
are positioned nearby, along with TV screens to show sports events, so this space has become a real hub of activity.” In August 2015 the decision was made to take back the restaurant and employ staff to gain more control over what was offered to dining patrons. Brendon says the restaurant has been a huge success and is key to the club’s growth in numbers and continued financial viability. “We created a new menu and, once a month, we sit down and review which meals are working, which are not. “Along with this, a committee member is responsible for asking patrons for their perspectives on the operation and the food. That feedback is very valuable to us.” Sitting behind all these initiatives is the soon-to-be-purchased bus that will take groups on tours around Waiheke Island. A club van is available to take people to medical appointments and as a community facility. “We are in a very solid financial position, and with growing numbers and developments ahead, the opportunity to come into a strong relationship serving our community becomes more and more real.”
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A wreath commemorating the Gallipoli campaign has been donated and personally presented by Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. It now sits just inside the main entrance to the Russell RSA, alongside other memorabilia and artefacts she has given previously. A small group of Peter Roberts and Kiri Te Kanawa with the Saga members was on hand Sapphire wreath at the Russell RSA. when she visited the having laid the wreath, she asked what was to club to present the wreath which is inscribed: “This wreath was become of it. Told that nothing was planned, laid on behalf of all New Zealanders by Dame she asked if she could take it as she knew of an Kiri Te Kanawa on the Liner “SAGA SAPPHIRE” appropriate “home” where it would be honoured, off the coast of Galipolli on the occasion of the valued and treasured for all time. “Russell RSA members are privileged that this 100 year Anniversary of the Galipolli landing unique gift of such historical and meaningful on 25th April 1915”. Russell RSA president Peter Roberts says that significance has been entrusted to their care.
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RSA REVIEW • WINTER 2016
What’s On REGULAR MEETINGS AUCKLAND CMT/NS ASSOCIATION INC Meets monthly on third Tuesday, 1100 hours, New Lynn RSA. New members welcome for friendship and camaraderie, fun and laughter, perhaps light lunch. Guest speakers, outings, bus trips. Anzac Day parades; unit parades at Auckland Naval Base HMNZS Philomel for Armistice Day memorial service to pay tribute and lay a wreath. Contact: Mark Sinclair, president – 09 534 8138; Brian Caltaux, secretary– 09 4209794. CMT/NS ASSOCIATION CHRISTCHURCH INC Anyone who did Compulsory Military Training or National Service welcome. Meets monthly, Papanui RSA. Variety of activities, Contact: Colin Rae – 28 Cranbrook Ave, Christchurch 8053; 03 3583099; colandglen@hotmail.co.nz. ITALY STAR ASSOCIATION (CHRISTCHURCH BRANCH) Meetings – 27 Aug, 22 Oct, 26 Nov (Christmas luncheon), 2pm, Papanui RSA, 55 Bellvue Ave, Christchurch. Contact: Peter Scott – 27 Kenwyn Ave, St Albans, Christchurch 8052; 03 3556732; peter.judy@actrix.co.nz. SOUTHLAND CMT GROUP Ex-CMT and National Servicemen welcome. Meets monthly, third Thursday. Gore RSA or nominated venue. Usually lunch, on-site visit, or speaker. Contact: John Turner – 03 2016084, ardlussa@farmside.co.nz.
REUNIONS/EVENTS/MEETINGS JUNE 2016 RSA NATIONAL INDOOR BOWLS 25-26 Jun. Rotorua. AUCKLAND CMT/NS ASSOCIATION 26 Jun. 1200 hours. Ten-year anniversary dinner. All members welcome. $30 per person. Contact: Ray Warren, social convener – 09 8175500.
JULY HMNZS OTAGO ASSOCIATION 2016 REUNION 15-17 Jul, New Plymouth, in conjunction with the RNZN All Ships reunion. Otago Association members, see January 2016 Claymore newsletter. Or you can become a member and register via the website (www.hmnzotago.org) or send stamped addressed envelope to Terry Whimp – 24 Cranston St, Northcross, Auckland 0632. Numbers are limited, so register as soon as possible. A top run guaranteed. ALL SHIPS REUNION – 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF COMMISSIONING OF HMNZS BLACKPOOL F77 & 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF COMMISSIONING OF HMNZS ROYALIST 15-18 Jul, New Plymouth. Details to be finalised. Apply for application forms; will be sent when programme completed. Trevor Wylde – 146a Ngamotu Rd, Spotswood, New Plymouth 4310; 06 7515595 (phone/fax); 027 4844587; trevor.cherryl@xtra.co.nz. TERRITORIAL FORCE VOLUNTEERS 1ST -60TH INTAKE WHO WERE IN ROYAL NZ ENGINEERS Sappers’ Association invites you to Decade 1975-1984 ‘do’, 5pm, 23 Jul, Taupo RSA. Details: www.sappers.org.nz. Contact: Vail ‘Hub’ Hubner – 027 4978651.
SAPPERS ASSOCIATION Decade 1975-1984 ‘do’, 5pm, 23 Jul, Taupo RSA. For all army engineers who joined up between 1975 and 1984. Sappers from outside this era welcome. Details: www. sappers.org.nz. Contact: Vail ‘Hub’ Hubner – 027 4978651.
AUGUST RSA NATIONAL POOL PAIRS. Date and venue to be confirmed. BATTLE OF LONG TAN (VIETNAM) 50th ANNIVERSARY MEMORIAL ANZAC TOUR 12-24 Aug. Twelve-day tour to honour the fallen and those involved in the Battle of Long Tan, which took place on 18 August, 1966. Tour via Singapore is $4580 per person. Information: Ray Farrell (Vietnam veteran 1969-70) – 021 02666294; farrellr28@yahoo.com.
DECEMBER
Day and El Alamein Day, lunch, Levin RSA. Contact: Adam Gibson – 34 Gordon Place, Levin; 06 3684187.
SAPPERS ASSOCIATION Decade 1955-1964 ‘do’, 5pm, 7 Dec, Taupo RSA. For all army engineers who joined up between 1955 and 1964. Sappers from outside this era welcome. Details: www. sappers.org.nz. Contact: Vail ‘Hub’ Hubner – 027 4978651.
ITALY STAR ASSOCIATION (CHRISTCHURCH BRANCH) New members, veterans, family members, historians. Contact: Peter Scott, chairman – 27 Kenwyn Ave, St Albans, Christchurch 8052; 03 3556732; peter.judy@ actrix.co.nz.
NATIONAL SERVICE 1st INTAKE TO 12th INTAKE WHO WERE IN ROYAL NZ ENGINEERS Sappers Association invites you to Decade 195564 ‘do’, 5pm, 7 Dec, Taupo RSA. Details: www. sappers.org.nz. Contact: Vail ‘Hub’ Hubner – 027 4978651.
J FORCE ASSOCIATION, WESTERN BAY OF PLENTY BRANCH Meets third Wednesday of month at Mt Maunganui RSA. Welcomes visitors. Membership: 19 veterans, 22 wives and widows. Activities: Christmas dinner, quarterly 8 ball competition, short trips. Contact: President, Ron Browne – 07 5758916; ronaldbrowne@xtra.co.nz.
MARCH 2017
VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL DAY COMMEMORATION Parade, 10am, 21 Aug. Puhinui Memorial Gardens, Manukau, Auckland. Reassemble at Manukau RSA for refreshments, light meal and mingle. All veterans expected to be there. Medals etc. Information: Ken Ford – 021 2338547.
41 SQUADRON RNZAF REUNION 17-19 Mar, Tauranga. Reunion commemorating 40 years since withdrawal and disbanding 1977-2017. All personnel who served with the squadron invited. Registration forms will be enclosed for 41Sqn Association members with September Prop Wash. Forms for non-members available from October 1, 2016: Association secretary – alanchung42@gmail.com.
SEPTEMBER
MAY
MALAYA/MALAYSIA VETERANS’ DAY 1100 hours, 16 Sep, National War Memorial, Pukeahu National Park, Buckle St, Wellington. Fifth commemorative service. All Malaya/Malaysia/ Singapore veterans from all services, widows and children, invited. New Zealand Malayan Veterans’ Association branches asked to make provision for at least one attendee. MPs, members of the Diplomatic Corps, civic personnel, New Zealand Defence Force and RSA representatives will attend. Seating limited, so you need to let us know if you are coming. Post-service programme organised by MVA Hutt Valley branch at Petone WMC. Information/responses: Bill.wullie@gmail.com.
NELSON BAYS TF.CMT.NS Reunion 12-14 May. Contact: Lindsay J.Jukes – 20 Hebberd Place, Richmond, Nelson 7020; ljukes@vodafone.net.nz.
OCTOBER WORLD WAR 2 BOMBER COMMAND UNVEILING OF LINCOLNSHIRE, UK MEMORIAL SPIRE 2 Oct. Worldwide search to invite Bomber Command veterans. Spire carries the names of the 55,573 killed in World War 2 and is taller than The Angel of the North. Contact: events@ internationalbcc.co.uk; IBCC, 13 Cherry Holt Rd, Bourne, Lincolnshire, PE10 9LA, UK; Google’ Les Hewett, vice-president, Hastings branch, RNZAF Association, Napier. RNZRSA CENTENARY PARADE & NATIONAL CEREMONY 9 Oct, Wellington. 4pm, March from Tasman St to National War Memorial, Pukeahu for ceremony, 5pm. All veterans encouraged to take part. Information: Bukit HIll – o27 6590679; Bukithill@xtra.co.nz.. SAPPERS’ ASSOCIATION NORTHERN BRANCH 9.20am, 16 Oct, St David’s Church, 70 Khyber Pass Rd, Auckland. Sappers’ Day church parade. Jacket and medals. Noon, 16 Oct, Annual general meeting, Pt Chevalier RSA, 1136 Great North Rd, Auckland, followed by luncheon 12.30pm. Details: www.sappers.org.nz. Contact: Vail ‘Hub’ Hubner – 027 4978651. RSA NATIONAL DARTS 22-24 Oct (Labour weekend). Venue to be confirmed. RSA NATIONAL GOLF 22-24 Oct (Labour weekend). Tauranga. RSA NATIONAL SNOOKER SINGLES 22-24 Oct (Labour weekend). Otaki RSA.
NOVEMBER 2018 RNZN ENGINEERING BRANCH REUNION 10-12 Nov, Rangiora RSA. Information: Graeme Matheson, – Rangiora RSA. 82 Victoria St, Rangiora 7400, or Bill Lochrie – New Brighton RSA,21 Mafeking St,New Brighton, Christchurch.
ASSOCIATION CONTACTS BRITISH AIRBORNE FORCES (NZ) INC Are (or were) you para-trained and like to meet other ex-(or current) paras? Regular meetings of Northern (Auckland to Taupo), Central (Taupo to Wellington) and Southern (South Island). Full membership – all ranks of Parachute Regiment, SAS, support arms (engineers, signals, medics, artillery etc) and those with special service to British Airborne Forces; associate membership to immediate family; afflilate membership to airborne units of other countries. Contact: Frank Clark, president – 04 2336123. Roy Tilley, secretary – 04 5660850, rmt@xtra.co.nz. Website, www.britishairbornenz.tripod.com. CMT ASSOCIATION SOUTH CANTERBURY BRANCH Ex-CMT and National Servicemen welcome. Contact: Bruce Townshend – 14 Ewen Rd, Temuka 7920; 03 6156637; Temuka-RSA@ xtra.co.nz. CMT/NATIONAL SERVICE ASSOCIATION CHRISTCHURCH INC Ex-CMT and National Servicemen welcome. Contact: Colin Rae – 28 Cranbrook Ave, Christchurch 8053; 03 3583099; colandglen@hotmail.co.nz. EX-RAF HALTON, RAF LOCKING OR RAF CRANWELL AIRCRAFT, RNZAF APPRENTICES. Contact: Ed Austin – 67/46 Beresford St, Pukekohe 2120, 09 2392698, edaustin38@gmail.com. HOROWHENUA ARTILLERY ASSOCIATION – LEVIN 50th year; gunners, ex-gunners, associated corps. Meets May and Sep to celebrate Gunners’
MOUNTED TROOPERS’ ASSOCIATION (MTA) North Island branch of the Royal NZ Armoured Corps Association (RNZAC). If you are serving or have served, in an armoured unit in any way, you are eligible to join. Family members of deceased personnel welcome. The aim is to bring comrades together through national reunions, member’s birthdays, funerals, unveilings and regimental occasions to which the association is invited, and to provide collegial support to members. The MTA is managed by a six-person trust board: Stew Couchman (chair), Doug Walker (secretary), Zac Hunter (treasurer), Morris Meha and Jim Taylor. Membership enquires, application form: Zac Hunter – 027 343 2017, ikehunter@xtra.co.nz; Stew Couchman – 06 3258593, BLongami@xtra. co.nz; Doug Walker – 027 4950473, walkd@tpk. govt.nz. Annual subscription of $25 includes membership of both the MTA and RNZAC. NEW ZEALAND ARMY BAND ASSOCIATION For ex-members of NZ Army Band nd 1 RNZIR/NZ Regt bands. To promote and forward interests and welfare of members, and foster relationship between the association and the NZ Army Band. Committee meets quarterly at the Papanui RSA, Christchurch; all members welcome. Contact: Wayne Shears – 03 9428636; wayneshears@outlook.co.nz. NEW ZEALAND BATTLE OF CRETE ASSOCIATION Contact: Deirdre Nottle, c/- Mount Maunganui RSA, P.O.Box 4011, Mount Maunganui South 3116; 07 5482018; dee.hauschild@gmail. com. NEW ZEALAND BRANCH, ROYAL MARINES ASSOCIATION Meets two-monthly, 2pm, Pt Chevalier RSA, Auckland. Full membership to serving or former RM, RMR and RN, HM Forces RM units, family members, Royal Marines Cadets. Contact: Peter Collins – peter-collins@xtra. co.nz; www.royalmarinesassociation.org/nz/ rma_nz_home.html. NEW ZEALAND KOREA VETERANS’ ASSOCIATION INC Veteran membership available to NZDF members who have completed a posting in the United Nations Military Commission since 1 Jan 1958 and have been awarded appropriate medallic recognition. Membership details: Douglas Callander, secretary – 23 Longcroft Tce, Newlands, Wellington 6037; 04 4783238; 04 4783602 (fax); callanderd@clear.net.nz. NEW ZEALAND MALAYAN VETERANS ASSOCIATION INC Welcomes new members who served with Commonwealth forces or police in Malaya/Malaysia/Borneo or Singapore. Contact: Paul Anderson – PO Box 8112, Cherrywood, Tauranga 3145; 07 5767757; 027 2079623. OX & BUCKS LI, KINGS ROYAL RIFLE CORPS, RIFLE BRIGADE AND ROYAL GREEN JACKETS All past members of RGJ and former regiments invited. Contact: Frank Jones – 09 4766974.
35
RSA REVIEW • WINTER 2016
What’s New
STORY OF ARMY’S FIX-IT MEN TOLD A history telling the story of the army’s fix-it men is due for publication in November. Peter Cooke was commissioned by the former Royal NZ Electrical & Mechanical Engineers association to write Warrior Craftsmen, with the aim of filling a gap in the knowledge of the corps (despite a book being published on the subject in the 1970s). The book will be launched at the RNZEME reunion in late November, which will mark 70 years since the formation of the corps, and 20 years since the corps was disestablished – an act regretted by many. This saw the RNZEME, the Royal NZ Corps of Transport and Royal NZ Army Ordnance Corps merged into a new-concept logistics regiment in what was called “three funerals and a wedding”. Cooke says little attention has been paid to contribution of the workshops corps. Of the 48-volume official history of New Zealand’s efforts during World War 2, not a single book or section covers its activities – “You struggle to even find a reference to workshops in the indexes.” And yet, 2 NZEF became a highly mechanised force using tanks, armoured cars, highly technical artillery, many makes of motorcycle, car and truck, and modern weaponry – all of which at times needed recovery, modification and repair. This function was carried out at the beginning of World War 2 by small workshops appended to other units, such as the ASC’s transport companies, engineers’ equipment units, and Ordnance workshops. A new MT Branch was f•ormed in New Zealand to manage the rapidly expanding fleet of motor vehicles, but in North Africa, 2NZEF followed the widespread move to form a dedicated EME corps. Britain, Australia, Canada and others accepted the argument that repair of durables
Warrior Craftsmen, due for publication in November.
was significantly different from the supply of consumables and needed a stand-alone corps. So NZEME was formed in December 1942. The reforms were adopted in New Zealand in 1946 and the RNZEME kept the wheels of a modern mechanised army turning for the next half-century. A handful of officers wrote up their experiences running LADs or workshops during the war, but it was the back-room activity of a quiet unassuming man that has contributed most to the new history. Eric Cordery, an insurance clerk from Christchurch, was employed from the closing months of the war to document and archive the corps’ service in the desert and Italy. He was
described as a “dapper little fellow who could run a good office”. It was a job he picked up again in the early 1950s, when he produced a summary of all the unit war diaries and other material which brought their efforts to life. This was still not enough reason for the war history branch of the Department of Internal Affairs to produce an Ordnance/EME history, despite other corps (artillery, engineers, signals, ASC, even dental) getting their time in the sun. The new history is a tribute to Eric Cordery. As well as keeping vehicles, equipment and weapons working, the workshops played a significant part on specific instances. One was fixing the problems of water pumps on Crusader tanks in the desert, and another was in tuning the diesel engines in Sherman tanks in Italy. In both of these cases the New Zealand workshops were able to do what no other Allied workshop could achieve. The story of innovative Kiwis carries on postwar, through service in Korea, Malaya, Borneo, Vietnam, Singapore and Bosnia. Mostly the can-do approach is seen through the ability to keep soldiers’ tools serviceable long after they should have been replaced. The book concludes with commentary on this ‘Number 8 Wire’ approach that will surprise many. • Former RNZEME members can order a discounted copy: Colin Andrews – 16 Waterview Tce, Omokoroa 3114; (07) 5480044; ancol@actrix.co.nz. Others can order for November delivery from: Peter Cooke – (04) 9346817; petercooke@paradise.net.nz. (this book will not be sold in shops). Warrior Craftsmen – Royal NZ Electrical & Mechanical Engineers 1942-1996, DONZ 2016, 500 pages, 1000-plus photographs, full colour, $75 softback, $89 hardback post-paid.
Info wanted on US servicemen The Auckland Museum has digitised a large tranche of the photography collections of Warkworth photographer Tudor Collins, which were donated by his nephew. The images are of American servicemen who were based in Auckland during World War 2 before going to the Pacific. Many of the servicemen are unidentified and the museum is keen to discover more about them and their experiences in Auckland. The museum is working on a project to attract Americans to these photographs on line, and is seeking information on their stories through contact between locals and their friends and families overseas. A page has been created with instructions on how to browse the on-line gallery and how to contribute using an enquiry form. The page is being promoted through the museum’s social-media channels and a live link has been created for people to share: http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/collections-research/collections/explore-highlights/ american-soldiers-in-new-zealand-wwii.
Laurence Aberhart exhibition Laurence Aberhart has been photographing World War 1 memorials that include a single figure, in New Zealand and Australia for more than three decades. A 60-print exhibition, ANZAC: Photographs by Laurence Aberhart, has been developed and toured by the Dunedin Public Art Gallery as part of the World War 1 centenary commemorations. It is on show at the Canterbury Museum until July 24. Museum director Anthony Wright says Aberhart’s work is particularly thought-provoking and relevant. As with all his work, Aberhart shot the exhibition photographs with an old-fashioned view camera using long exposures and available light.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCES THE BASIS OF WW1 HISTORY We meet, among others: • Captain Jesse Wallingford, a crack sniper who impersonated a British officer at Gallipoli to save his men from a rout. • Ratu Sukuna, a Fijian and a Wanganui Collegiate old boy, who served in the French Foreign Legion. • East Pasha, a Turkish officer who organised the scrambled initial defence at Gallipoli. • William Malone, thr Chunuk Bair hero and Naran Sammey, a mule corps cooper, who shared a blanket and a dry shelter on a rainy night in May at Cape Helles. • The motor mechanics who formed the backbone of what would later become our navy. • Clutha Mackenze, the hill country stockman who was blinded at Gallipoli and went on to edit the newspaper that kept the troops in touch with one another and with home. The book has five major themes • high-command experiences; • doldiers’ experiences; • experiences in the air and at sea;
• imperial experiences and • experiences behind the front line. The focus is primarily, but not exclusively, on New Zealanders who took part. Littlewood introduces the work by saying that World War 1 is often depicted as a fundamentally negative historical event. Provocatively, he asks readers to consider the contrary view; that it wasn’t all bad. In this light, one of the major conclusions is that care is needed when making generalisations about the conflict. Not all 100,000-plus New Zealand soldiers endured the same war, or thought about their shared experiences in an identical way. Many were eager for adventure and foreign travel. Many returned home and led meaningful lives. And, for those at home, the World War 1 became a springboard for racial and gender emancipation. Littlewood argues that research based on experiences provides “a more nuanced understanding of what being involved in the war entailed”.
In the first chapter, The Search for Solutions, a British military historian, Sir Hew Strachan, explores the “short war illusion” and cautions about the war, and soldiers’ experiences especially, being written in clichés. In a chapter titled From Artilleryman to Airman, Adam Claasen, a historian based at Massey University’s Auckland campus in Albany, provides insights into the resilience and adventurous temperament of soldier Keith Park, who went on became one of New Zealand’s top military commanders and masterminded the Battle of Britain air defence in World War 2. And, in his chapter, The New Zealand Soldier of the First World War, 1914-1915, war historian and Massey University professor Glyn Harper examines soldiers’ “everyday lives, from training systems and barbed wire, to the use of the bayonet, to gas attacks, rats, food, communal singing and infectious diseases”. This is based on research for his book; Johnny Enzed: The New Zealand Soldier in the First World War 1914-1918, which was published last year.
REGULAR FORCE CADET ASSOCIATION (INC) Provides contact between ex-cadets and enables them to re-establish contacts. Membership: $10 a year (1 Jul-30 Jun. Contact: Secretary – RF Cadet Association, P.O.Box 715, Paraparaumu 5032; www.rfcadet,org.nz.
wish to join, would like information, or wish to re-connect with former colleagues and course members, contact: Alumni secretary NZDF CSC – Trentham Military Camp, Private Bag 905, Upper Hutt 5140; 04 5271008; 04 5271009 (fax); csc.alumni@nzdf.mil.nz.
treasurer – 4987 State Highway 75, R.D., Little River 7591; 03 3251937; 03 3251936 (fax).
RNZAF COMMAND AND STAFF COLLEGE GRADUATES New Zealand Defence Force Command and Staff College has formed an alumni association. Records of previous associations’ members misplaced during move from Whenuapai to Trentham in 2004. If you
ROYAL NEW ZEALAND NAVAL ASSOCIATION, CANTERBURY BRANCH All who served in RNZN or Commonwealth navies, and their partners, welcome. Monthly meetings, regular social get-togethers, ship visits, four newsletters a year. Contact: Miles McIlraith (ex-RNZN),
THE REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION Seeks members to rekindle their activity with the association. Regular meetings at Papanui RSA, Christchurch. Send rank, name, address, phone number and e-mail address to: Frank Newsome – Unit 19, 53 Condell Ave, Papanui, Christchurch 8053; 03 3525471; frankandaudrey@clear.net.nz.
New Zealand’s World War 1 effort has been well documented, often eulogised and romanticised, regularly questioned. Yet our understanding of it remains problematic, perhaps fundamentally flawed – because the conflict is often surveyed from the standpoint of subsequent events and present-day concerns, rather than from the perspective of those alive at the time. As something of a corrective, and as part of the Centenary History of New Zealand World War 1 project, Massey University Press has published Experience of a Lifetime: People, Personalities and Leaders in the First World War. The 352-page book, by New Zealand-based and overseas writers, has been edited by New Zealand Defence Force historian John Crawford, David Littlewood, who is a history lecturer at Massey University’s Palmerston North campus,and James Watson, associate professor of history at Massey. It aims to further our understanding of the conflict and turns to the benefits of personal experience as a research category.
What’s On
SOUTH AFRICAN MILITARY VETERANS OF AUSTRALASIA (SAMVOA) All who served in uniform in South Africa and now live in New Zealand are invited to join. Also in Australia. Aims to preserve memories, and commemorate those who were injured or fell in action. Attends Remembrance Day and Anzac Day parades; regular meetings. Information: Chris Pattison – 021 2316612; ytrose@vodafone.co.nz.
TS VINDICATRIX ASSOCIATION Ex-Vindicatrix boys – those who served on training ship TS Vindicatrix are invited to join Lower North Island branch. Write: Arthur Woolard – 21 Pohutukawa Drive, R.D.1, Levin 5571.
36
RSA REVIEW • WINTER 2016
Local RSAs NORTHLAND Ph 09 407 8585 37 Cobham Road
KAITAIA FAR NORTH (Kaitaia) RSA CLUB
Matthews Avenue, Kaitaia When visiting the Far North you are welcomed to visit our Clubrooms where comfort and friendship is assured.
KERIKERI
AVONDALE RSA
RSA (Inc) Visitors and Guests Most Welcome
Overlooking the Racecourse
Come & visit your mates. A friendly Welcome Assured
MEALS Lunch: Mon to Fri Dinner: Everynight Entertainment: Thursday, Friday and Sunday Evenings
Restaurant Wed-Sun 5.30 - 8.30pm
Bar Open Seven Days From 3.30pm
If you are in town give us a call. Ph: 09 828 5000
AUCKLAND Ph 09 846 8673 1136 Great North Rd
Billiards - Snooker - Pool - Bowls - Darts
Pleasant lounge and excellent bar facilities
Hours 11am-10pm, Mon to Sat. Noon-6pm Sun Family Restaurant - Meals Wed Thurs Friday and by arrangement. Courtesy Coach Available Please phone (09) 408 0423
WHANGAREI THE HUB OF THE CITY
Warmly welcomes visitors to our Clubrooms at 7 Rust Ave Bar Service 7 days Snooker, Pool, Darts, Gaming Courtesy Coach Bistro Wed to Fri 12-2 & 5-8p.m. Saturday 6-8p.m. PH 09 438 3792 admin@whangareirsa.co.nz
www.whangareirsa.co.nz
114 Hobsonville Road • Ph: 09 416 7227 Restaurant Ph: 09 416 9239 • E: hobbyrsa@xtra.co.nz
RSA
Open Tues - Thurs from 2pm. Fri - Sun from Midday. • Restaurant open Fri - Sun lunch, Wed - Sun Dinner. Excellent meals at reasonable prices. • Live entertainment last Friday of each month. • Quiz Nights 7pm 3rd Thursday of every month. Car Boot Sale last Sunday of every month 8am, sellers $8 • Excellent Bar staff & service • Large car park. Easy bus turnnig • Coach Tours welcome - advance booking essential • Facilities available for function hire • Other facilities include darts, pool, indoor bowls & fishing club
THE SMALL RSA WITH THE BIG HEART
14 Gaming Machines - 4 Large Pool Tables - 4 Dart Boards Live band every Friday evening - TAB - Sky TV
BIRKENHEAD RSA Recreation Dr, Birkenhead, North Shore Ph: 09 418 2424 Fax: 09 418 3054 Email: secman@birkenheadrsa.com www.birkenheadrsa.com
1 Chapel St Russell 0202 Ph: 09 403 7773 Fax: 09 403 7885Email: russellrsa@xtra.co.nz www.russellrsa.org.nz OPEN EVERY DAY EXCEPT TUESDAY FROM 11:30AM TILL CLOSE Diggers Restaurant open 6 days Lunch & Dinner Bar snacks available Pool, Darts, Gaming Machines Huge outdoor courtyard
Come and enjoy our clubrooms while holidaying in historical Russell We will make you welcome
Kaikohe & District Memorial RSA (Inc) We are open everyday from 11am Meals Daily from 11am till 9pm Great quality food at affordable prices All visitors are most welcome to enjoy our club facilities • • • • • •
Sky TV TAB Pod Gaming Machines Pool Tables Courtesy Van Available Facilities available for function hire
We welcome all RSA members & their guests to enjoy the friendly atmosphere & excellent facilities at our clubrooms
CLUBROOMS OPEN SAT - MON 11AM TUES - FRI 9 AM BAR OPEN 7 DAYS FROM 11AM
POOL * DARTS * I/D BOWLS * TAB LARGE SCREEN SKY * GAMING MACHINES TEA/COFFEE & LIGHT MEALS ANYTIME
Mt Wellington Panmure RSA 163 Queens Rd, Panmure
Ph: 09 570 5913 Fax: 09 570 5903 Email secrsa@vodafone.co.nz Bar Menu Seven Days. Bus loads by arrangement. Live Entertainment every 2nd Friday
NEW LYNN
Memorial RSA (Inc)
2 Veronica St Ph: 09 827 3411 Where a friendly welcome is assured. A must stopover when visiting Auckland BAR & TAB FACILITIES Open 7days Gaming Facilities FREYBERG RESTAURANT Lunches: Tues-Sun 12-2pm, Dinner: Wed-Sat 5.30pm open
Band Friday Nights Handy to rail & bus. Shop in New Lynn & relax in our spacious clubrooms
The Best in the West
SWANSON MEMORIAL RSA 11am - 11.30pm Sun 1pm - 9pm
158 Broadway, Kaikohe Ph 09 401 2368 kaikohersa@xtra.co.nz “Look us up on Facebook”
Visitors always welcome
When visiting Auckland’s Eastern Suburbs call into our pleasant clubrooms and enjoy our hospitality
IN THE OF HOWICK Fridays & Saturdays from 7 pm DINE & DANCE LIVE MUSIC www.howickrsa.co.nz
The Orpheus Restaurant Open Thurs - Sat lunch 12 - 2 pm, dinner 5.30 - 8pm Bus Trip Lunches phone Rona Snooker - Pool - Darts - Warriors Supporters Section
We have excellent facilities for reunions and other functions NEW RETURNED AND SERVICE MEMBERS WELCOME.
ORAKEI RSA
Ph: 09 528 6245 & 09 521 2710
(Members)
Hours: Mon : 12-7.30pm. Tues:11am-8pm
Wed: 11-9pm. Thurs & Fri: 11-11pm. Sat: 11-9pm. Sun: 2-7pm. Bistro Lunch Tues-Fri 12-2pm. Evening Thurs-Fri 6-8pm Function room bookings for catering. Sports sections, gaming machines ,Sky TV, big screen TV Handy to city centre, Ellerslie Race Course, Kelly Tarlton Underwater World, Eastern suburbs, Mission Bay, St Helliers, Remuera etc.
ALL NEW MEMBERS WELCOME
HOURS Mon toThurs 11am - 11pm. Fri & Sat
“Friendliest Club in The North”
HOWICK RSA
Phone: 09 534 9702 • 25 Wellington St Howick
Inquiries to Sec/Manager 09 636 6644 PO Box 13016, Onehunga
Darts - Pool - Snooker - Gaming Machines - Courtesy coach available for local pick-ups / drop-offs When in Auckland Visit our Friendly Club.
RUSSELL RSA
Friday night raffles, Entertainment Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun
Major Games on Big Screen or Weekend Entertainment
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT WED: 1.30-4PM. FRI & SAT: FROM 7.00PM
28 Neville St Warkworth Ph 09 425 8568 Opening Hours Mon-Tues from 12.30pm, Wed-Sat 11am, Sun 3pm Gunner Restaurant: Wed $10 Roast, Thu & Fri Lunch & Dinner
Restaurant, Family Karaoke Sundays from 1pm Functions venue available email admin@ptchevrsa.co.nz
A warm welcome is assured to all members and visitors. Special welcome to local and out of town visitors.
DON STOTT MEMORIAL RESTAURANT PROVIDES EXCELLENT ECCONOMICAL A LA CARTE MEALS WED-FRIDAY 12 -2PM WED-SUNDAY FROM 5.30PM. GROUPS BY ARRANGEMENT
WARKWORTH & DISTRICTS RSA Inc
Affiliated Members and Guests Most Welcome
HOBSONVILLE
MEALS Our spacious Restaurant allows us to cater for up to 200 people at any one time Lunch open from Wednesday - Sunday 12 - 2pm Dinners Wednesday - Saturday 5 - 8.30pm Sunday Buffet 5 - 7.30pm We have large outdoor garden area, Big Screen for major games, Sky T.V., pool, bowls, darts, cards, fishing, golf, quiz.
663 SWANSON RD - PH 833 9013 A WARM INVITATION IS EXTENDED TO RSA MEMBERS & GUESTS TO THE FRIENDLIEST RSA IN THE WEST
WAIHEKE RSA
RSA
66-70 Railside Ave Ph (09) 838 9012 www.hsnrsa.co.nz
Service with a smile, and bar prices better than most. 18 gaming machines, self service TAB, Housie every Thursday, live entertainment Friday and Saturday evenings, 4 snooker tables, 3 pool tables and 8 competition dart boards. 5 big screen TV’s.
Whatever you’re interested in we’ve got it covered, visit us today!
EAST COAST BAYS RSA (Inc)
15 Bute Road Browns Bay Ph: 09 478 8033 North of the Harbour Bridge ecbrsa@xtra.co.nz
INC
29 Belgium Street, Ostend
Clubrooms and Bar Open 7 Days Restaurant Open 6 Days, closed Monday Take advantage of the free transport to our doorstep for Super Gold Card holders. Spoil yourselves with a trip to our wonderful Island and enjoy our hospitality. Ph: (09) 372 9019 Bar: (09) 372 5554
HENDERSON
Restaurant: (09) 372 6655 E-mail: waiheke.rsa@xtra.co.nz
PAPATOETOE DISTRICT RSA (Inc)
22 Wallace Rd Ph: 09 278 6372 Email: papatoetoersa@xtra.co.nz Bar Hours Mon 11am -7.30pm Tues, Wed: 11am - 10pm Thurs: 11am - 10.30pm Fri: 11am - 10pm Sat: 11am - 11pm Sun: noon - 7pm BISTRO Lunch: Tues -Fri 12-1.00pm Dinner: Tues 6pm - 7.30pm Thurs Fri Sat 6pm - 8.00pm. Ph: 09 278 6374
(Hours may vary without prior notice) Social Nights with live bands: Thurs Family Nights - have entertainment on the second Friday of the month and starting in mid-July on Friday nights and Housie
Snooker Gaming Machines 8 Ball I/D Bowls Darts Sky Tv
Whether you are going to or from the Airport or just passing through pop in & spend a relaxing & friendly time with us.
We Are Your Airport Club
When heading north, staying or visiting the North Shore, stop at East Coast Bays RSA Lunches Tues-Sat 12-2pm.Dinner Wed Carvery 6-8pm Thurs-Sat 6-8.30pm Sun from 5.30pm VISIT OUR CLUBROOMS Open: Mon-Sat from 11am Sun 2-8pm
DANCING FRI & SAT 7.30PM
Coach tours welcome by arrangement Gaming Machine * Darts * Pool * Snooker Housie I/d Bowls * Dinning & Dancing * TAB * Raffles
A WARM WELCOME TO ALL MEMBERS & THEIR GUESTS
WAIKATO / KING COUNTRY / BAY OF PLENTY
TE AROHA MEMORIAL RSA (Inc) Rewi Street
Ph 07 884 8124
Club open from Mon 3pm- Tues - Sat 2pm, Meals Available Thurs, Fri, Sat from 6pm A warm, friendly welcome awaits you
VISITORS CORDIALLY WELCOME
OPOTIKI COUNTY RSA INC When passing through Opotiki call in and enjoy our hospitality.
We are the Gateway to East Cape
Glen Eden RSA
9 Glendale Rd West Auckland Ph: 09 818 4219 Web: www.glenedenrsa.co.nz
Club Hours: Mon-Sat 1pm till late Sun 2pm till late Meals + Bar Snacks 7 days Membership draw nights Wed, Fri, Sat.
Meals Lunch: Tues - Fri. Dinner: Thurs - Sun.
Snooker - Pool - Indoor Bowls - Darts
We are better than the rest. We are the friendliest in the West
St John Street, OPOTIKI. Phone (07) 315 6174
Entertainment: Fri & Sat.
RSA Life 37
RSA REVIEW • WINTER 2016
Local RSAs MT MAUNGANUI
RETURNED & SERVICES ASSOCIATION (INC) 544 Maunganui Road, Mount Maunganui
27 Studholme Street Morrinsville Ph: 07 889-7014
Restaurant open 7 days Lunch: Mon/Fri Noon-1.30pm Dinner: Mon/Sat 6.00-8.00pm Sunday: Carvery 5.30pm-7.30pm
Entertainment every Friday & Saturday night, Sundays from 4.00pm Regular Shows. TAB, 18 Gaming Machines, 3 Eight Ball & 8 Snooker Tables, Sky TV, Big Screens & Data Projector, Courtesy Bus, Friendly Members, Great Staff, Wonderful Food, 12 Beers on tap, Excellent Wines, All This in the best climate in NZ Phone / Fax: 07 575 4477 Web: www.mtrsa.co.nz Email: mtrsa@xtra.co.nz
1237 Cameron Road, Greerton, Tauranga
Ph 07 578 9654 Fax 07 577 0715 E: admin@tgarsa.co.nz | www.tgarsa.co.nz
THE NEW GENERATION RSA
Clubrooms open 7 days Mon/Tues 10.00am-9.00pm Wed/Thurs 11.00am-10.00pm Fri/Sat 11.00am-11.00pm Sunday noon-8.00pm
RSA TAURANGA
Hours: Tues - Fri: 3pm - 10pm, Sat 11am - Late, 3rd Sunday each month: 3pm - 8pm
Big Screen TV’s, Snooker, Pool, Darts, Indoor Bowl, Cards, 18 Gaming Machines, Live Bands
Moorish Restaurant: Thurs - Sat 5pm - 8pm Lunch every 2nd Tuesday 11am - 1pm
Bar Hours - Open 7 Days - From 11.00am
Family Lounge: Regular entertainment, 10 gaming machines with $1000 jackpot, Sky TV on the big screens, pool & snooker tables, indoor & outdoor bowls, fishing and darts.
Open 7 Days from Breakfast - 7.00am - Lunch - 12.00 noon Dinner - 5.00pm
www.morrinsvillersa.org.nz
Affiliated Members, Guests and Potential Members Welcome
Oaktree Restaurant
“When in the Bay stay with us” Motor Inn accommodation available Excellent Rates “Visitors Welcome Anytime”
NGARUAWAHIA RSA (Inc)
Open 7 days, Poppies Restaurant available at RSA Visit us on Facebook
MATAMATA
MEMORIAL R.S.A. (Inc.) Ngaio Street Ph: 07 888 7190 Open from Mon- Sat 3pm, Sun 4pm.
Poppyfields Restaurant:
Open for bus tours & private functions by arrangement
A warm, sunshine welcome is extended to all visitors to our modern, comfortable clubrooms OPEN 7 DAYS PER WEEK Restaurant Open:Lunch: Mon- Sat. Dinner:Mon-Sun
Top meals at reasonable prices
• Live entertainment Fri & Sat nights • Parking • Conference room • Taxi chits available for discounted fares
Membership still open. Affiliated members Welcome
Conveniently located to Marine Parade, motels and city centre THERE ARE NO STRANGERS AMONG US, ONLY FRIENDS WE HAVE NOT MET.
Otaki & District Memorial RSA
4 Market St, P: 07 824 8905, E: ngaruawahiarsa@gmail.com
Friendly social atmosphere. Entertainment including live music, raffles, quizzes. Children welcome till 8:30pm. Pool,Darts, Gaming Machines, Sky TV, Courtesy Van
NAPIER RSA
34 Vautier Street, Napier Office: 06 835 7629 Fax: 06 835 1357 Club: 06 835 1034
TE AWAMUTU
District Memorial RSA (Inc) 381 ALEXANDER STREET P. 07 8713707 E. tarsa@xtra.co.nz
Turn into the main street at the traffic filter and look for our Rose Garden at the end of the main shopping area.
EAST COAST - HAWKES BAY WAIRARAPA - TARANAKI MANAWATU - WELLINGTON
9 Raukawa Street Ph: 06 36 46221 Open Tues - Sunday Dining room Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat & Sun roast lunch TAB - Sky - Snooker - Darts Fridays entertainment Affiliated Members and Guests most welcome
Bar Hours - Mon-Thurs: 11am- 9pm Fri: 11-11pm Sat: 11-10pm Sun: 1- 8pm
Restaurant Hours
Sun, Mon, Wed, Thurs 5:30 to 7:30pm Fri & Sat 5:30 to 8:30pm Lunch Thursday 12pm noon Groups catered for during week on request
Come and visit our friendly Club the
‘ROSE of the WAIKATO’
WANGANUI Great Entertainment...
S
BER MEM E NEW ELCOM W
Live Bands 18 Gaming Machines TAB Terminal Big Screen TVs' 8 Ball * Darts * Bowls Euchre * Housie Raffles * Members' Jackpots
SOUTH TARANAKI RSA (Inc) Bar Hours: Mon, Tues 3-7pm Wed 3-9pm, Thurs 3-7pm. Fri, Sat 3-9pm Clubrooms open some mornings Bistro Meals: Fri. 5-7pm
Princess Street Hawera When in our area you are cordially invited to visit our Clubrooms & enjoy our hospitality. A friendly welcome is assured to all.
Gallipoli Restaurant
CITIZENS CITIZENS RSA RSA
179 -185 Jellicoe St TE TE PUKE PUKE Ph: 07 573 8555
Open from 11am Seven days a week All RSA members & Visitors are most welcome to our warm & friendly, air conditioned club
TAUPO “The Centre Of it All” * Gaming Machines * Sky Tv * Snooker * 8 Ball * Indoor Bowls
HAMILTON Combined Returned Services Club
Rostrevor Street, Po Box 9028 Ph 07 8380131 Fax 07 8340170 Email: hamcrsc@clear.net.nz. Web: www.hamcrsc.co.nz
OPEN 7 DAYS Club Restaurant Lunches Tues-Fri Dinner Tues-Sun from 5.30pm. FUNCTION BOOKINGS BY ARRANGEMENT 18 Gaming Machines * Sky Big Screen * ATM *Eft Pos * 8 Ball * Snooker * Euchre * 500 * Darts * I/D Bowls
Club Hours Mon- Wed: 11am -10pm.
Thurs- Sat: 11am - Late. Sun: 2 - 8pm Horomatangi Street Phone: 07 378 7476 Please visit our wesite at: www.tauporsa.co.nz
Taumarunui & District RSA
10 Marae St, Taumarunui PO Box 24 PH: 07 895 7517 FAX: 07 895 8343 Email: taumrsa@xtra.co.nz
MANAGER: John Callinan MEMBERS: 862 Restaurant open 7 nights from 5:30pm Club open daily from 11:00am Sunday from 1:00pm 18 Gaming Machines, Courtesy Coach Charge back facilities to local motels. If you are coming to Taumarunui we can arrange local tours, golf club bookings, Motel Bookings.
Entertainment Centre of Taumarunui
… MEMBERS AND BONA FIDE GUESTS WELCOME ... 170 St Hill Street, Wanganui Phone: Clubrooms 345 5750 * Restaurant 345 4140 *
Courtesy Bus 027 345 5750
Email: admin@wanganuirsa.co.nz * Website: www.wanganuirsa.co.nz
WHANGAMATA RSA (INC) 324 Port Road, Whangamata Ph/Fax: 07 865 9419 Email: whangamata.rsa@actrix.co.nz Web: www.whangamatarsanz.com
Waitara RSA North Taranaki 16 Queen St Waitara OPEN 7 DAYS
BAR FACILITIES TAB – Gaming Machines – Pool & Darts – Large Screen TV’S – Sky Sport – Courtesy Vans available. Come enjoy some time with our friendly members.
Entertainment Big Screen TV’s, Snooker, 8 Ball, Darts, Indoor Bowls, Golf, 12 Gaming Machines
Lower Hutt Memorial www.lowerhuttrsa.org.nz
Kensington Restaurant Open Upstairs Wednesday - Sunday from 5:30pm Bistro Open 7 Days A Week Lunch 11.30 - 2.00pm Dinner 5:00 - 9.00pm Live Band Friday and Saturday 8.00pm and Sundays 3.00pm 3 Bars, Garden Bar, Large TV Screens, Sky Sport, TAB, Internet, Library, Gaming Room, Conference Facilities.
47 Udy Street, Petone. Ph 568 5404 Members, Guests and Affiliated members welcome
& Districts Memorial RSA
Ph: 07 386 8717 PO Box 1 Katopu Place Turangi Email: trgirsa@hotmail.com Bar 7 days from 11am Restaurant Thur - Sat evenings Gaming Machines, Snooker, Pool, Darts, Indoor Bowls, Library, Big Screen Sky TV TURN 3RD RIGHT FROM ROUNDABOUT
Lunch and Dinner Tues-Sat Bar Snacks Available Gaming Machines - Big Screens - 8 Ball - Snooker Darts - Indoor Bowls - Line Dancing - Karaoke Thursday evenings
Live Entertainment Friday Nights Close to motels in the heart of town
Richardson St Ph: 07 307 0343 E: admin@whakatanersa.co.nz
PORIRUA RSA (Inc) 5 -7 McKillop St, Tel: 04 237 7695 Fax 04 238 2343
* Sky Tv * TAB * Gaming Room * Pool * Darts * Indoor Bowls * EFTPOS * Wine Club * Kapa Haka BAR HOURS
NEW, RETURNED & SERVICE MEMBERS MOST WELCOME
BULLS SH1 Bulls Ph 06 322 0875
Hours Mon, Tues & Sun:11am -8pm Wed -Sat:11am -10pm When passing through Bulls call at our clubrooms, enjoy our hospitality and have a friendly chat.
Mon-Thurs 10am-10pm.Fri & Sat 10am till late. Sun 12noon-6pm
TOKAANU-TURANGI
Reasonably priced quality meals available: Lunch – Thurs., Fri., Sat. 12pm to 1.30pm Sun (first and last of the month) Dinner –Thurs., Fri. & Sat. 6pm to 8.00pm SKY TV, big screen, pool, darts, pokies, juke box Campervans welcomed (two sites are powered) Venue available for hire for special events and functions
RESTAURANT HOURS
Open 7 Days ---- Bar Hours Restaurant Hours
11am - 7pm 11am - 9pm 11am - 10pm 11am - 12pm 2pm - 7pm 12pm - 7pm
Thurs, Fri & Sat. Dinners 5.30 - 9.30pm CLUB night every FRIDAY 4.30 - 6.30pm in the ANZAC Lounge
A Friendly Welcome in Warm Whakatane
Mon. & Tues. Wednesday Thursday Fri. & Sat. Sunday First & last Sun of the month
Mon 11am - 7pm. Tues 11am - 7pm. Wed 11am - 8pm. Thurs 11am - 11pm. Fri 11am - 12pm. Sat 10am - 12pm. Sun 10am - 9pm
Visitors Most Welcome
WHAKATANE RSA (Inc)
Friendly & safe environment (children welcomed)
OPEN SEVEN DAYS
Gateway to the Coromandel Peninsula
Clubrooms Open: 7 days from 11 am Restaurant Open: 6 days from 11 am Closed Mondays Group Bookings, Bus Tours, etc. by arrangement
1 Easton Street, Ph: 06 3637670 Fax: 06 3636838 Email: foxtonrsa@xtra.co.nz www.foxtonrsa.co.nz
Open:
RESTAURANT Lunch Tuesday to Sunday: 11.00am to 2.00pm Dinner Tuesday to Saturday: 5.00pm to 8.30pm
Rendezvous Restaurant Wed, Thur, Fri Lunch 12 - 2pm Mon, Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat Dinner 5 - 8 Closed Tuesday and Sunday
Lunch Tuesday to Saturday from 11.30am Dinner Monday & Wednesday to Saturday from 5.30pm Tuesday Pension Day Special - Lunches Whiteboard Dinner Specials
TAWA RSA
Visitors Made Welcome
89 Oxford St. Ph: 232 5788
A warm welcome is extended to all RSA & Chartered Club visitors We are open: POOL Wed to Sun from 4pm DARTS Meals Friday 6.00 - 8.00pm Sunday Roast the last Sunday of SKY TV each month 6.00pm-8pm
ANY CHANGES TO CLUB ADVERTS OR CLASSIFIED ADVERTS PLEASE CONTACT DAVE McKEE Ph: 03 983 5518 Fax: 03 983 5552 Email:davem@waterfordpress.co.nz
38
RSA REVIEW • WINTER 2016
Local RSAs REGULARS
RICHMOND/WAIMEA R.S.A. INC. P.0. Box 3034 Richmond 7050.
TARADALE 156 Gloucester Street
& DISTRICTS RSA INC
Ph/Fax 06 844 4808
Clubrooms Open Mon-Fri 8.30 am
CHARTERED CLUB
35 Centennial Ave. Alexandra
Alexandra Clyde RSA PO Box 10 Ph: 03 448 8090 Fax: 03 448 8023
Meals Available 7 days - Lunch & Dinner
Bar Hours Mon-Sat: 11am-Late Sun: 4.30 9pm Bistro Hours Thurs: 6.30-8.30pm. Fri: 6-9pm Sun: 6-8pm Snack Bar open all hours
When in Napier or Hastings visit us, we are only 8 minutes from either city. Motel accommodation next door with discounts available
CATERING A SPECIALTY Gaming Machines, Sky Tv, Snooker, Pool Darts,Bowls
Sat-Sun 10.30 am
All Visitors Assured of a Warm & Sincere Welcome
Operating from Club Waimea Premises Lower Queen Street, Richmond. Phone 03 543 9179. Open from 11.00am till late. Club Waimea facilities including Caravan Park facilities which are available to all R.S.A. Members. Meals are available Wednesday - Sunday 11.30am Onwards
motueka
memorial rsa (inc) 49 High Street
Ph. 03 528 9777
Open 7 Days from 4pm. RSA, Clubs NZ and Motor Caravan members most welcome
ASHBURTON RSA [INC]
12 Cox Street
Hours Mon - Tues: 11am-7pm. Wed Thurs Fri: 11am-10pm. Sat: 11am-12pm. Sun: 11am- 5pm
Tues+Wed Lunch noon. Bistro Thurs, Fri, Sat 5.30-8pm
All Indoor Sports available. Gaming Machines Live Music Every Alternative Saturday nights. Wheelchair available
ASHBURTON Where the North meets the South
Memorial RSA Inc
12 Civic Ave Ph: 03 208 6218 Fax: 03 208 6220 Email: GoreRSA@xtra.co.nz Clubrooms Open 10.30 am 7 days a week Bar Hours Mon - Fri 10.30 am - 11 pm Sat 10.30 am - 1 am Sun 10.30 am - 9.30 pm Family Bar The Gore RSA Bistro Wed - Fri 12-2 pm. Tues - Sun from 5.30 pm Private functions by arrangement * 5 F/size Snooker Tables * 18 Gaming Machines * Big Screen Sky TV * TAB Live entertainment each month. Tea coffee in our smoke free lounge. Off street parking for visitors. Raffles: Thurs & Fri. Flag 500 Wed 7 pm during winter
82 Victoria Street Ph: 03 313 7123 Restaurant: Lunch Wed, Thurs, Fri. Dinner Thurs, Fri, Sat & Sun. Courtesy Van Available Thurs, Fri, & Sat nights
A warm welcome is ex tend ed to all RSA members, families and friends
Ph: 03 352 9770 55 Bellvue Ave Access also from Papanui Rd & 1 Harewood Rd
Visiting Christchurch Try our hospitality in the heart of Papanui. Adjacent to major civic amenities incl. shopping mall,motels & hotels Club Hours
Mon -Tues: 11am -9pm. Wed-Thurs: 11am-10pm. Fri- Sat: 11am- 11pm. Sun: 11am- 8pm
Bistro Meals
Lunch: 7 days 12 - 2 pm Dinner: 7 days 5pm onwards
Facilities Eftpos, Sky TV, Snooker Billiards, Pool, Bowls, Cards, Darts, Gaming Machines, Library, Live Entertainment, Off Street Parking. Power Point for Campervans
31 Union Street, Milton Ph: 03 417 8927
Open daily from 5.00pm *All Welcome*
INVERCARGILL WORKINGMEN’S CLUB INC. Incorporating the INVERCARGILL R.S.A. 154 Esk Street, Invercargill Ph. 03 218 8693 Fax 03 218 3011 e-mail office@iwmc.co.nz Hours Mon - Wed. 11.00am - 10.00pm Thurs. 11.00am - 11.00pm Fri. 11.00am - 12 midnight Sat. 10.00am - 1.30am Sun. 12.00noon - 9.00pm Bottle Store Corinthian Restaurant open for lunch Mon - Fri 12noon - 1.30pm Dinner Thurs. - Sun. from 6.00pm Corinthian Convention Centre available for meetings, conferences or functions, large or small 24 Gaming machines - 5 snooker tables Sky TV 5 pool tables Raffles Mon. - Sat. Band on Sat. nights Off-street parking
Templeton RSA 38 Kirk Rd, Templeton E: templetonrsa@xtra.co.nz
CLUB BAR HOURS
Wed, Thurs & Sat: 4pm - 7pm Fri 4pm till late
MEALS
Friday nights from 6:10pm
NEW MEMBERS WELCOME
WANGANUI. Bignell St Motel, Quiet, Warm, Friendly, Comfortable, Pets by arrangement.
RIVERTON & DISTRICTS
$65 single + $15pp extra Phone Now 0800 244 635
141 Palmerston Street Riverton 9822 Phone: (03) 2348737
WHAKATANE. Bay Hotel Units 90 McAllister Street. Very handy to RSA. Discount for RSA members. Friendly service, courtesy pickup, Pets very welcome. Your hosts Betty & Willy Arends. Ph 07 308 6788 Fax 07 308 6749
Marlborough RSA 42 Alfred Street Blenheim (In Clubs Marlborough Complex)
We extend a cordial invitation to all visiting members to visit our Clubrooms
ANY CHANGES TO CLUB ADVERTS OR CLASSIFIED ADVERTS PLEASE CONTACT DAVE McKEE Ph: 03 983 5518 Fax: 03 983 5552 Email:davem@waterfordpress.co.nz
Open 7 Days from 9.00, Restaurant meals - 7 Days. Gaming, Pool, Snooker, Sky TV.
Christchurch Memorial Returned and Services Association Inc.
Welcome
Milton Bruce RSA
181 Tainui Street Phone 03 768 7307 Open Daily - Visitors Welcome
Travel New Zealand
Enjoy Southern Hospitality Tue-Sat 3-6pm & Fri 3-9pm
PAPANUI RSA
GREYMOUTH RSA CLUB
Call and make some West Coast friends
Visitors Welcome
Gore District
Open from 11.00 am Monday – Saturday; 11.30 am Sunday Tribute: 6.00 pm Wednesdays Lunch 11.00 am – 2.00 pm; Dinner 5.30 – 8.30 pm
ALL VISITORS WELCOME
RANGIORA RSA CLUB (Inc) MARLBOROUGH - NELSON WEST COAST CANTERBURY OTAGO - SOUTHLAND
NELSON RSA (Inc) 168 Tahunanui Drive, Nelson. Phone 03 548 6815.
Facilities: Administration Office Support and Welfare Office Museum • Event/function Centre Trenches Restaurant and Bar (Public License) Poppy Club members’ bar Memorial Plaza and Remembrance Wall Operating Hours: Monday to Wednesday 08:00am to Midnight Thursday to Saturday 08:00am to 01:00am Sunday 08:00am to 11:00pm
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner available P: 03-3799724 E: office@christchurchrsa.org.nz www.christchurchrsa.org.nz | www.trenches.co.nz 74 Armagh Street, P.O. Box 354, Christchurch 8140,
Private function bookings are welcome
NEW BRIGHTON RSA 21 Mafeking Street, New Brighton, Christchurch Ph: 03 388 9059 Open daily from 3.30pm Sunday 11.30am Meals available Thurs, Fri & Sat “All Welcome”
Tours FULLY ESCORTED TOURS FOR SENIORS Our 2016 tours include:
NEW ZEALAND: High Country Spectacular 23 Sep-4 Oct; Wonders of Westland 10-19 Oct; Taranaki Rhododendron Festival 28-31 Oct; Chatham Islands 12-17 Nov; Hokianga for Christmas 23-27 Dec; AUSTRALIA: Heavenly Hervey Bay 5-14 Aug; Kakadu Explorer 22-31 Aug; Spring in Western Australia 8-19 Sep; PACIFIC: Rarotonga 18-26 Jul; Norfolk Island 20-27 Nov. Our tour costs are all inclusive apart from your own spending money and some lunches.
For a copy of our 2016 colour brochure or to make a booking, phone 0800 66 44 14 or email: info@scottsdaletours.co.nz www.scottsdaletours.co.nz
VIETNAM TOURS. 20 Days ex Auck, Wgtn, Chch. From $6795pp share twin. Special conditions apply. Kiwi Vietnam Tours: 305 Kahuterawa Rd, RD 2 Palmerston North. Ph: 06 324 8444
info@kiwivietnamtours.co.nz |www.kiwivietnamtours.co.nz
Phone: 03 983 5500 Fax: 03 983 5552
waterfordpress.co.nz
RSA Life
RSA REVIEW • WINTER 2016
39
Travel Australia Beac hfront Apartment s
www.pandanusmooloolaba.com.au
Heated swimming pool and spa BBQ area Close to local restaurants Short walk to Jupiters Casino 50 Metres to the famous Broadbeach Oasis Mall
Sandpiper Apartments is a 12 storey resort complex located on the beach. Every apartment faces the ocean and includes a private balcony. Spectacular views. Book for 7-nights in a 1-Bedroom Ocean view apartment - $910 Book for 7-nights in a 2-Bedroom Ocean view apartment - $1120 (Excludes High season, school holidays and special events)
Largest holiday apartments in the area. Opened in 2005, across from main car park to the beach.
www.sandpiperapartments.com.au | 155 Old Burleigh Rd, Broadbeach | 07 559 201 44
Anyone for f a Gold Coast Getaway?? Getaway?? Welcome to Palazzo Colonnades boutique, high-rise holiday accommodation apartments in Surfers Paradise.... • Fully self contained, air conditioned one bedroom and two bedroom apartments • Heated swimming pool, spa, sauna, gymnasium and BBQ facilities
HOT DEAL!
• Under cover, fully secured free parking • Flat screen televisions and AUSTAR cable television free of charge
Stay 5 Pay 4 from AUS $630.00*
• In room wireless internet broadband service • Extensive choice of restaurants within minutes walking distance • 1.5km from Gold Coast Exhibition and Convention Centre
• Complete cooking & laundry facilities • Fully air conditioned • Full gymnasium • Free foxtel TV • Free Wifi • Heated pool & spa • be let as 1, 2 and 3 bedroom. • 2 Carparks Tel: +61 7 5457 8989 Free call: 1300 787 668 15 – 21 Smith St, Mooloolaba QLD 4557
TO BOOK PHONE +61 7 5538 4555
• 150 metres to the beach and 6-8 minutes leisurely stroll to Cavill Avenue
Address: 2988 - 2994 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise. 4217 Telephone: +61 7 5538 4555 Email: info@palazzocolonnades.com.au
FOR THE BEST RATES BOOK DIRECT AT OUR WEBSITE: www.palazzocolonnades.com.au
and use promocode: PCRSA
* Valid for sale 01/03/16 - 15/12/16 - Block out dates apply. .
Phone: (07) 5443 7774 enquiries@key-largo.com.au www.key-largo.com.au
Quote N/Z 10% specials
Stay 7 pay 5 Escape to the Sunshine Coast and stay at the beautiful Bali Hai Apartments Noosa. Featuring large 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments with outstanding views across Noosa. Only 600 metres from Hastings Street and the beach and 400 metres to Noosa Junction. Surrounded by 60 restaurants and bars but set in the tranquil location of Noosa hill.
20 Edgar Bennett Ave Noosa Heads Sunshine Coast Phone: 07 5447 2381 Email: holiday@balihainoosa.com.au
See our special packages online www.balihai-noosa.com.au
Ph: 0061 7 54 380600 www.kingsbayapartments.com 18 Mahia Tce, Kings Beach, Caloundra
FREE
SAILPORT
M O O LO O L A B A A PA R T M E N T S
High Speed 271 Elizabeth Street, Sydney + 61 2 9264 6001
DIRECT BOOKING ONLINE NOW AVAILABLE Visit: www.hydeparkinn.com.au
Overlooking Mooloolaba Wharf and Marina. 100 metres to Surf Club and safe patrolled Beach. Great rates, modern 4 star luxury 1,2 & 3 bedrooms. Spacious, fully self contained & air conditioned. Central to all the Sunshine Coast attractions.
The Hyde Park Inn offers friendly, personalised service and spectacular views across Hyde Park. Central CBD location, just minutes to shopping, theatres, Central Station, The Opera House, Darling Harbour and Kings Cross. Our features include:
Special - Stay 7 Pay 5 Feb, May - July, November
Telephone: 00617 5444 1844 email: reception@sailport.com.au.
Cnr River Esplanade & Hancock St, Mooloolaba, Queensland Australia.
w w w. s a i l p o r t . c o m . a u
Key Largo Holiday Apartments is perfectly positioned with north facing beachfront accommodation, ocean views in central Maroochydore. Located in the heart of the Sunshine Coast, walking distance to restaurants and shops.
|
07 5444 1844
• Self catering facilities • Complimentary continental breakfast • Air-conditioning • Balcony to Deluxe Rooms • Large family rooms and apartments • Free car parking • Free in-house movie channels • Guest laundry • DVD players to all rooms • Flat Screen LCD televisions
Owned by RSL NSW Branch • Special rates for RSA Members • Special long term rates available Eligible RSA members can join a NSW RSL Sub Branch for even better rates.
40
RSA REVIEW • WINTER 2016
Travel Australia
Medals MEDAL MOUNTING Damage free professional medal mounting in either court style or swing style $20 per medal with new ribbon (full size & miniature). $8 return courier NZ wide. Replicas of all medals available at just $50 per medal inc mounting. NZ wide mail order service or by appointment. Turnaround is usually 7 days. Framing from just $150
COURT STYLE
STAY FOR 7 PAY FOR 5 $650 FOR A ONE BEDROOM APARTMENT * CONDITIONS APPLY
SWING STYLE
A G Bairstow - NZ Medals Ltd PO Box 128 - 134, Remuera, Auckland 1541 Ph: 09 571 2074 E: aubreyb@clear.net.nz
www.nzmedals.com
SPACIOUS APARTMENTS - YOU WILL BE PLEASANTLY SURPRISED
45 The Esplanade Cotton Tree Sunshine Coast Australia 4558 Phone: (07) 5430 0000 Email: stay@spaceholidayapartments.com.au www.spaceholidayapartments.com.au
Overlooking the Maroochy River, ocean and Cotton Tree Park. Walking distance to shops, restaurants and RSL. Spacious 1, 2 and 3 bedroom self contained apartments.
MEDAL MOUNTING Full Size and Miniature Orders, Decorations and Medals. Court Mounted or Swing Style. If necessary medals cleaned and new ribbon supplied. Duplicate groups made up to order. Registered with New Zealand Defence Force as an Approved Medal Mounter Quality work guaranteed Contact: Russell Barker, P O Box 346, Waikanae 5250 Phone: 04 293 1045 Email: rmbarker@xtra.co.nz Website: www.kiwimedalmounting.com
English Tie & Medal Co
Centrepoint Apartments Caloundra Experience a relaxing holiday at Centrepoint Apartments in Caloundra. With a prime beach location you can choose from Glass House Mountain views or sparkling water vistas. Choose from 1, 2 or 3 fully self-contained apartments for a seaside home away from home. Situated as the perfect jumping off point, Centrepoint Apartments is a leisurely walk from beaches, cafes, restaurants or shops and an easy drive to all the surrounding attractions.
*Replica medals and Miniatures supplied and mounted. *Full sized and Mini medal groups for other family members. *Framed Medal Displays and Copy displays. *Regimental Ties & Blazer pocket badges. We do not sell or trade in original medals
P. 09 838 4828 F. 09 838 4850 W. www.medals.co.nz 6 Central Park Drive, Henderson, Auckland 0610
Special rates for RSA members for stays over 14 days. Visit our website www.centrepointapartments.com.au or email stay@centrepointaparments.com.au
SUBSCRIBE TO THE RSA REVIEW
MEDAL MOUNTING, MILITARY HISTORY & GENEALOGY RESEARCH. Orders, decorations & medals (full size &
miniatures) court mounted for day, evening wear, and for family history displays. Medals mounted with respect for over 45 years by a long serving soldier. No modifications to medals or clasps. Contact Medal Mounting Wellington, H.E. Chamberlain, Ph: 04 293 3504. 470 Te Moana Rd. Waikanae. Email: clas.chamberlain@xtra.co.nz.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
Contact RSA National Office to subscribe to the RSA Review and get your copy
Subscriptions cover 4 issues from January – December. If you’re a new subscriber, there are two remaining issues in 2016. You’ll pay
Contact: RSA Review, PO Box 27248, Marion Square, Wellington 6141 Email: rsareview@rsa.org.nz Phone: 04 384 7994
$20.00 a discounted price if paying by direct credit or direct debit
If you’re already a subscriber, you’ll receive a 2017 renewal letter from us before the end of the year.
$25.00 if paying by cheque or credit card $40.00 for overseas subscribers
Remembering/Anzac Day
RSA REVIEW • WINTER AUTUMN2016 2016
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RIDERS PAY THEIR RESPECT Around 1200 motor-cyclists raised close to $20,000 for RSAs through 11 Rides of Respect on Anzac Day. The rides were based around RSAs in Whangarei, North Shore, Paeroa, Ngaruawahia/ Huntly, Napier, Tawa, Nelson, Greymouth, Papanui (Christchurch), South Canterbury, and the Montecello Veterans’ Home in Dunedin, and the cash raised went to these host organisation.
This was just the second year the rides have been held. Last year just over 900 riders took part and raised $11,000. The Rides of Respect idea came from Jackie Adams (also known as Jack Wabbitt) over a couple of beers after a charity ride. More than half of this year’s riders have a services background or a family connection to the services. PHOTOS – Left: Riders head off from the South Canterbury RSA, Timaru on a round trip via Mayfield, Ashburton and Temuka. Right: The Tribal Nations hosted the Ngaruawahia/ Huntly ride – back, from left, Patrick Te Wake, Chris Laird, Rod Irvine; front, Jay Mason, Tiki O’Brien, Daniel Temple.
THE BRAVE SONS OF MEREMERE Jaq Dwyer Meremere sits high above surrounding hills and gorges 14 kilometres inland from State Highway 3 in South Taranaki. In 1914, when World War 1 was declared, it was a thriving community...dairy factory, store, post office, many farm workers. The war memorial, unveiled in 1922, was described in the Hawera Normanby Star as “a very fine piece of work, made by Messrs Jones Brothers of Hawera in the form of an obelisk in red Scottish granite, about 12-feet high with a base of four tiers, and at each corner joined by a chain is a pillar of inserted marble with the names of those who left the district from school and country; while on the obelisk are the names of the fallen”. Meremere School opened in 1894 with 19 pupils and closed in 1990. But the war memorial still stands sentinel in the grounds, reminding us of the 62 people from this area who went to World War I, and the 10 were killed in action. Most of them went to the school. Louis Bassett and Matthew Curry taught there; Louis returned,but Matthew died of wounds on his way home in 1918. Two past pupils – siblings Bruce and Flora McRea – served during the war and went on to careers in medicine. Percival Clee, who enlisted at the beginning of the war, was a new immigrant from England and working on the Williams farm. He was badly wounded at Gallipoli, and died in Cheltenham, England in 1923 from these wounds, The Meremere World War 1 Roll of Honour (right) carries these names. The asterisk (*) before a name denotes Killed in Action. Harry Allen, Pte, 23/1317; Bruce Stanley Anderson, Pte, 10/2839; Victor Godfred Anderson, Sgt, 10/3826; Albert Baldwin, Pte, 31211; Louis William Bassett, Lt, 15651; Alfred Henry Birchall, Pte, 29353; Spencer W Birkett (or Burkett), Pte; * George Francis McGovern Bissett, Pte, 10/304; David Alexander Carmichael, Pte, 63824; Austin Frederick Catley, Pte, 45047; Robert Chestnut, Tpr; Percival Harry Clee, Cpl, 10/866; * Frank Close, Pte, 69466; * James Thomas Close, Pte, 18343; Henry William Coad, Pte, 33838; Norman Richard Coad, Pte, 31226; Cyril Arthur Coles, Pte, 22779; Thomas Patrick Culkeen, Pte, 69469; * Matthew Goodwin Curry, Lt, 41429; Frank Crawford Dunlop, Tpr, 11/2086; William Dunlop, Sgt, 28105; Harold Franklin, Sgt; Norman Gundesen, Tpr, 74868; Percy Gundesen, Pte, 61619; Cyril Pakenham Hutchison, Tpr, 75862; S Jeffries, Pte; Egbert William Johns, Pte, 50880; Frank Kurth, Pte; John Mathison Lumsden, Pte, 31308; David McLachlan, Pte; Harry McLean, Sgt; Bruce McRae, doctor; Flora McRae, nurse; * Bernard Herbert Monk, Pte, 10/459; George Francis Monk, Pte,
George Bissett was at Meremere School in 1908; his parents were farmers. He was 20 when he was killed on the evening of April 25, 1915, within three days of arriving at Gallipoli. He was the bugler, and his Gallipoli bugle, complete with bullet holes,is in the Waiouru Army Museum. The bugle was essential to military communication until its displacement by field radio after World War I. The notes could be heard over large distances, so the bugler was used to communicate orders to troops by set tunes – ‘stand to’, ‘advance’, ‘retire` and ‘stand down’. Mounted and cavalry troops had their own calls, and all had to be remembered in the heat of battle. The bugler was a prime target for enemy fire. LtCol William Malone makes special mention of George Bissett in his diary (May 4),one of the men he could not bury between the front lines, On May 24, Malone notes that Bissett was buried during a short armistice. Four Murphy brothers went to war; three did not return. Ellen Dwyer was 17 when she married fellow Irish immigrant Patrick Murphy. They moved to Meremere in 1898 and leased a 320-acre farm, which they later bought in Ellen’s name. Michael, the oldest of their 12 children, had already left school and was helping on the farm. The other 11 children went to Meremere School. All nine boys were tall, strongly built, and played rep rugby in Taranaki. The five oldest were of military age when war broke out in 1914, and were eager to enlist. Michael and Richard left for Europe in October 1914 in
10/458; Lawrence Monk, Pte, 54551; John Murphy, Lt, 9/951; * Michael Murphy, Tpr, 11/419; * Patrick Murphy, Rfm, 54557; * Richard Murphy, Tpr, 1/506; Albert Nickel, Pte, 31336; Ernest Oliver, Pte, 11/1206;
The Murphy family in 1912 – back, Owen, Dick (Richard), Jack (John), Paddy (Patrick), Dan, Mick (Michael), Alec (Alexander); seated, Ellen (Nellie), Mary, Barney (Philip), Patrick, Ted (Edward), Beth (Elizabeth); in front, Phillip. Photo: Patea Waverley Press.
the Wellington Mounted Rifle Battalion. They rode their horses from Meremere to Trentham. John, an accountant in Dunedin, enlisted in the Otago Mounted Rifles, then transferred to the Wellington Division. Initially Patrick stayed home to run the farm, but Daniel, deemed medically unfit for military service, returned to run the farm. The Hawera Normanby Star (February 1917) records Paddy asking the Military Exemptions Board for a six-month delay before training for war. Younger brothers Owen, 18, and Alec, 19, were also working on the farm, but a 320-acre farm still being carved from the bush was not something that could be left unattended. Michael and Richard arrived at Gallipoli with the first wave of soldiers on April 25, 1915, the same day as their old school friend, George Bissett. Early on August 8, Malone led the attack on Chunuk Bair with his 760-strong Wellington Bn. By the end of the day, Chunuk Bair had been taken, but only 70 of the Wellington Bn was left, and Malone had been killed by friendly fire. Within hours, the Wellington Mounted Rifles moved in to reinforce the Wellington Bn. This was Michael and Richard’s last battle. They had been fighting side by side when Michael realised Richard was no longer with him. He back-tracked to find Richard badly wounded and close to death. This was the last time the brothers were seen by fellow soldiers. Their brother, Jack, arrived at Gallipoli the same day (August 9, 1915), but too late to see his brothers. Their bodies were never found. Jack saw months of heavy combat on the peninsula and was one of the last evacuated just before Christmas 1915. Jack went on to serve in the muddy trenches and fields on the Somme, in France. He was doing officer training in England when Paddy arrived from New Zealand. Within weeks, Paddy had contracted meningitis, and died on November W H Olsen, Sgt; James Patchell, Rfn, 26/415; Robert George Patchell, Cpl, 11/1949; * Samuel Joseph Poole, LCpl, 46243; Arthur Prentice, Pte; John Railton, Tpr, 11/430; Henry Roberts, Pte, 8/1475; John Ross, Pte; Edgar Earl Sanson Pte, 10/4198; * Waikohari Tamarapa, Pte,16/418; Wiremu Tamarapa, Pe, 20837; Henry Telfer, Pte, 11/1983; James Tolme, Pte; * Norman Wallace, Pte, 20469; J Wells, Pte; Thomas W White, Pte; Alfred Edward Williams, Sgt, 75867; William Bryan La Mothe Williams, Cpl, 48395; Henry Daniel Williams, L, 13/759; John Wolfe, Pte; * Paul Woodford, Rfn, 23/1246.
5, 1917 with Jack at his side. The doctors commented on his magnificent physique, but in the days before penicillin, nothing could be done for him. After three years, Jack was made an officer, trained at Oxford, and was sent back to New Zealand to train new recruits. He met his future wife, Jessie Barnes. When he was due to return to Europe, his mother met him in Wellington to say goodbye. She was staying with many other soldiers’ wives and mothers, and confided to the hotel proprietress how upset she was, as she had already lost three sons. This woman made an appointment for her with the defence minister, Sir James Parr, who said the family had made an outstanding war contribution and there was no need for Jack to return to the front. His bags were removed from the ship without his knowledge. Jack and Jessie married and had seven children, bought a farm at Ruawai and struggled through the Depression in the 1920s. He lived a long, successful life. There are at least nine sets of brothers on the Meremere War Memorial. Two f them, Frank and Bill Dunlop, were sons of early settler James Dunlop, who came to Meremere in 1900. Their brother, Oswald, was given military exemption to run the family farms. Frank was in the Wellington Mounted Rifles and was involved with horses, both cavalry and teamsters taking supplies to the front. He suffered a severe leg or hip wound, and had a limp for the rest of his life. His grandson, Patea mayor Ross Dunlop, recalls that they rarely talked about their war. Their 89-year-old nephew, Angus Dunlop, remembers Bill, who was a sergeant, telling him how he nearly died at Passchendaele when struck down with a virus. A number of sick men were put in a room and were expected to die by morning. They did – apart from Bill. Other than that, Angus never heard Frank or Bill speak about the war, even at Anzac services, which they always attended. After the war, Frank continued to farm. He became deputy chairman of the Hawera County Council and chairman of the Hawera Co-op Dairy Co. Bill farmed at Meremere in partnership with Oswald, and eventually bought him out. Bill’s daughter, Catherine, recalls: “When he came back from World War I, he had to bach all alone on his side of the farm and the silence after the noise of the war nearly drove him mad.”
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Anzac Day
RSA REVIEW • WINTER 2016
Lance Phillips at the newly found grave of his great uncle, Henry Phillips.
Private Tama Toa Ropati leads the Maori Concert Party to the New Zealand memorial at Messines.
BLACKBALL’S WW1 SOLDIERS HONOURED Story, photos: Gerry Morris Two World War 1 soldiers from Blackball featured in this year’s Anzac Day commemorations in Europe, and West Coast pounamu pieces were used to honour New Zealand soldiers buried there. As 200 people gathered in freezing, drizzly rain at the New Zealand plinth at Messines, in northern France, the New Zealand Defence Force’s second-in-command, Air Vice Marshall Kevin Short, recalled the brave actions of Blackball’s Samuel Frickleton as he won a Victoria Cross in the June 1917 battle in the nearby village of Messines. And at the New Zealand Military Historical Society service at Le Quesnoy, the full citation for the Military Medal awarded Pte James Carson (New Zealand Number 3 Ambulance Medical Corps), also from Blackball, was read out. It said that Carson, a mine labourer, “was in charge of a bearer squad and awarded the medal for gallantry and devotion to duty, although under repeated sniper fire he led his squad close to the ramparts of Le Quesnoy, his coolness under fire was a fine example to other men”. Also at the Le Quesnoy service, the definition of New Zealand’s greatest soldier, as written by Major General Howard Kippenberger shortly before his death in 1957, was read. It referred to Charles Upham VC and Bar, both awarded during World War 2. Upham’s aide was another Blackball soldier, Dave Kirk. After the war, Upham, a North Canterbury farmer, regularly went to the West Coast for Anzac Day services to be with Kirk and his wartime mates, who included Lew Tuck and Jack Kelly. As a special connection to the 130 New Zealand soldiers who died in the November 1918 Le Quesnoy battle, Arahura Valley pounamu pieces
A view from the ramparts that the kiwi soldiers climbed at the Le Quesnoy service.
were sunk into the earth in front of the Kiwis’ headstones by Kiwi visitors. The pieces were supplied by Janeene Goodall, of Franz Josef’s Te Koha Gallery. The initiative was started in France in 2006 by former Kumara family members Peter Bush and Gerry Morris to honour two Kumara brothers killed in World War 1. They were relations of Ian Boustridge, who supplied the pounamu in 2006. “This is a very special New Zealand touch and we are hoping to make this an ongoing gesture for all the New Zealand graves in Belgium and France,” says Herb Farrant, president of the New Zealand Military Historical Society. “Janeene’s generosity is outstanding.” The blessed pounamu was also planted by the Rhodes family of Hunterville. The Rhodeses, a family group of 12 covering three generations led by 80-year-old dairy farmer Graham Rhodes, were spending three weeks in the Western Front towns visited by Graham’s uncle in the New Zealand Division nearly a century ago. Graham
was using his uncle’s World War 1 war diary as their guide. The Anzac Day services on the Western Front were co-ordinated by New Zealand’s defence attache in Paris, Captain Shaun Fogarty RNZN, accompanied by an NZDF team of 30, including a Maori concert party. The action songs, official addresses and singing of New Zealand favourites such as Now is the Hour impressed everyone. All Kiwis attending were hosted for refreshments after each service, usually in the local town hall where the concert party was again asked to perform by the locals. New Zealand’s ambassador in Paris, James Kember, translated each paragraph of his dawn service speech at Le Quesnoy into French as he progressed through his address. “Not only had Le Quesnoy been liberated with no civilian causalities, but the division had advanced 10 kilometres and captured nearly 2000 Germans and 60 field guns. If there was one New Zealand service on the
day more heartfelt that the others, it was the the impromptu circle of Kiwis when the official proceedings concluded at the New Zealand Memorial to the Missing in the Buttes New British Cemetery. Around 40 Kiwis entwined arms in a circle like a half-time, rugby team-talk at the monument, observing a minute’s silence and singing Now is the Hour. Seasoned uniformed officers walked away wiping tears from their cheeks. Among the tour group was Lance Phillips, born in Wellington and latterly a member of the French Foreign Legion for more than 20 years. Now retired in France, he used the occasion to seek assistance from touring New Zealand Military History Society experts to locate his great-uncle’s grave. After a tortuous three-hour journey amongst the narrow byways of northern France, he found the grave of Henry William Phillips (from Ahipana, in Northland) who died on October 26, 1918, aged 26. The serial number on his headstone indicated he had also served at Gallipoli. Lance is the first member of his family to locate and visit the grave for nearly a century after an unsuccessful attempt by his family. The ensuing dedication ceremony he led was filmed for his New Zealand whanau. There are more than 900 World War 1 Commonwealth cemeteries in Europe, and New Zealanders are buried in more than 200 of them. Grave location services and the supply of commemorative West Coast pounamu pieces will likely be available from the planned New Zealand Memorial Museum in the soon-to-besurplus gendarmerie building at Le Quesnoy. Negotiations are under way between the town’s officials and the New Zealand Memorial Museum Trust to secure possession. Opening is planned for late 2018/early 2019.
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RSA REVIEW • WINTER 2016
LANDMARK RESTORED TO FORMER GLORY About 1000 people, uniformed and civilians, gathered at Christchurch’s historic Bridge of Remembrance for a special re-dedication service. The bridge reopened in time for Anzac Day having been closed by earthquake damage five years ago. The re-dedication ceremony was led by Christchurch RSA, and a huge round of applause echoed around the bridge as club president Pete Dawson thanked everyone for giving them back the historic landmark. The Last Post was then played in remembrance of those who were lost during the two world wars. Christchurch City Council and Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team (Scirt) staff have spent three years on the challenging three-year project to restore the bridge and triumphal arch to their former glory. Scirt Downer project manager Alex Mowe says the repair and restoration has been one of the firm’s most technically challenging and rewarding projects. Because of the historical significance of the two structures, heritage approval was needed for every aspect of the repair and restoration. He says the two structures are now stronger than ever. Steel columns have been inserted inside the masonry columns of the arch to strengthen it and a “rocking collar” has been added to its base to protect it from earthquakes. The arch has been strengthened to withstand a one-in2500-year earthquake.
Christchurch cadet units form a guard of honour at the historic Bridge of Remembrance.
Toheroa on the menu at Riverton
The horses steal show Fifty-odd riders on horseback (right) with a posse of photographers in tow, and around 600 people made for a spectacular Anzac Day dawn service at the Kaikoura racecourse. The New Zealand Mounted Rifles cavalry was drawn from many parts of the country. The NZ Mounted Rifles Charitable Trust has been set help the families of those lost in conflict. The riders re-enacted a photograph of NZ Mounted cavalry passing through Kaikoura’s West End on their way to World War 1.
“To ride the horses in the dark and in formation was just incredible,” says Kaikoura RSA president Yvonne Morrison. After the dawn service, the horses marched over the peninsula for the main service in the town.
Youngsters enjoy a hands-on Anzac Day at Waikanae Left: Budding bandsman Liam Imray, from Waikanae. His grandfather, Ian Imray is a member of the Kapiti Brass Band which played for the hymn and the national anthem and other music during the morning service and after the Anzac service at Waikanae. Right: Alice and Nerys Anderson, wearing their grandfather’s and great uncle’s World War 2 medals, get to grips with the New Zealand flag. Both men were on Merchant Navy ships during World War 2. Below: Four years on, and Dylon Jones is still marching with his great uncle – on the right, Dylan, then aged three, made the front cover of RSA Review alongside Roy Hitchcock, pipe-major of the Kapiti Coast Pipes & Drums at the Waikanae Ciitizens’ Anzac service; on the left, Dylon, now seven, and Roy provide a reprise. Words and Photos: Howard Chamberlain.
WINTER 2012
DYLON THE BRAVE Three-year-old Dylon Jones pipes and strides into his first Anzac parade at Waikanae alongside his greatuncle, Roy Hitchcock, pipemajor of the Kapiti Coast Pipes & Drums. Anzacs remembered: page 15 Photo: Clas Chamberlain
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Defence matters
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What’s On
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‘Life is as hard as you make it’
Defence matters – but how much?
Special service earns medal
Mosquito back on the wing
Ruka Hudson lost both legs in Vietnam. He has had his battles, but has worked hard on staying positive.
Defence cuts are all the rage in the Western world. So, where does New Zealand sit in the balance of power?
Barry Calder was due to work in Antarctica when the Erebus disaster intervened, and he ended up as part of the recovery team.
There’s light at the end of an 18-year crusade to rebuild a World War 2 Mosquito fighterbomber. The plane is close to flying.
Victor Breayley and Chris Baker dig for toheroa for Anzac Day breakfast at the Riverton RSA. The shellfish has been on the menu for the past four Anzac Days. The annual harvest is one thing we do to be a bit different, says Victor Breayley, a Riverton RSA member: “It’s a good bit of exercise for us old buggers. People love it.” The RSA gets permission from the local iwi to obtain a quota and to collect the toheroa on Oreti Beach. The toheroa are minced up like paua and made into patties.
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RSA REVIEW • WINTER 2016
Anzac Day
‘REAL ANTIQUE’ CALLS IT A DAY After 66 years Rita O’Brien has sold out of Anzac poppies. The Rotorua veteran has decided that this year’s Poppy Day would be her last; she sold poppies at her rest home and organised a group of other women to sell them around the city. Selling poppies has meant a lot to her “because you met all kinds of people, each with a story and I have enjoyed it so much”. “But now, as I tell people, I’m a real antique, I’m going on 96 this year.” Rita worked in a Christchurch bakehouse as part of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) during World War 2. She and another young woman baked scones and sugar buns every week-day and a fruit cake for the weekend for more than 3000 personnel. Before joining WAAF she was head of the “frock department” at a Christchurch store. She was recently awarded a veteran badge and certificate signed by prime minister John Key for her service during the war. “It really is the people of New Zealand saying thank you to me for my effort in the forces during the war...I don’t expect thanks, what I did was purely voluntary but this came as such a lovely surprise. “Both my brothers and my sister were serving in the war, and my dad had been a serviceman in World War I. One of my brothers went away with the first set and was taken prisoner of war.
Norma Burton at her usual spot in Dunedin selling poppies.
Rotorua’s Rita O’Brien is retiring from selling poppies after 66 years as a volunteer. Photo: Stephen Parker
My second brother was in the air force and my sister was a nurse.” She recalls “many, many funny moments” in the WAAF.
Pat likes to pin down his customers At 95 Pat Hickton still knows how to chat up the women – especially when it comes to Anzac poppies. After collecting and selling poppies in Palmerston North for 36 years, he reckons he has learnt a trick or two. He used to have separate boxes of poppies for men and woman. Then he got to the idea of spraying perfume on poppies for women customers and pinning the poppy on them. He was a first-hand witness to the sacrifices made by service people during World War 2. “A lot of jokers I went away with in the air force never came back. All these poppies, they go to help those who were injured or are still injured.” Pat flew with the bomber squadrons over Europe. Trained as a radio operator, he was
called up to help fill a shortage of tail-gunners – one of the most dangerous jobs with a life expectancy of just nine hours. While returning from a mission over Germany, his plane was hit by a shell. The propeller cam off more than 6000 metres up over occupied France. The crew survived the crash, but were captured and sent to a prison camp. He recalls harrowing conditions: “When I did solitary confinement I was 72 kilograms, and when I came out after 60 days, I was 42kg.” He escaped by wading through rat-infested sewerage, and made it back to Britain with the help of the Resistance and Nancy Wake, the famous White Mouse. He says he doesn’t regret what went through: “It was something to do for freedom, where you
“I was a very, very innocent girl, and you can imagine being with all men. I went in like a lamb and came out like a lion. I did that for four and a half years.”
Pat Hickton another happy, poppy customer; Mauri Gordon, 92, admires his mate’s technique.
can talk to anybody, go out and have a couple of beers. That’s what life is all about.
Poppy seller ‘can’t remember any bad days’ in 40 years Norma Burton, 84, has sold poppies at the same place on the corner of Dunedin’s George and Frederick streets for the past 40 years. She had also organised a group of volunteers from Knox Church over that time. And she has no thoughts of giving up. “I’ll carry on as long as I can,’’ she says. “The RSA is such a great organisation – they have done so much and I’m just grateful to be able to help them.’’ She says she enjoys meeting people and running into old friends on Poppy Day: “I can’t remember really any bad days.” This year she was one of 280 collectors armed with 65,000 poppies on Dunedin streets. Two of her uncles fought in and survived World War 1, and she says that has been part of her drive to support the appeal. Her husband, Cliff, died in 2014 aged 84. Norma has not noticed any significant increase or drop-off of willing donors and says all age groups support the cause.
They do things a little differently at South Taranaki RSA’s pop-up shop Poppy Day is a little different in Hawera. The South Taranaki RSA does not rely on street sales; instead, it brings the people into its own pop-up shop, which provides a face for the Anzac commemoration. The RSA uses wartime music, colourful military medals and other regalia to attract people into the shop where they can buy poppies and merchandise, and enjoy displays and atmosphere. South Taranaki RSA president David Black says the club believes it is the only RSA in New Zealand to have its own pop-up shop. Hundreds of medals, photos, uniforms, badges, flags, brass shell casings, even commemorative teddy bears, are on display along with photos and research about war memorials in the Patea and Waverley districts done by members of the South Taranaki Genealogical Group. Support from members and the wider community help keep the club one of the strongest in the country, at a time when many clubs are struggling, he says. “We are one of the most financial clubs in New Zealand because of the support of our members. On Friday and Saturday nights we sell in excess of $1500 worth of raffles.”
Neil Vickers, who served with 1st Battalion in Malaya, with his medal collection at the South Taranaki RSA pop-up. Photo: Taranaki Daily News.
He says interest in Anzac Day is growing each year, especially amongst younger people. “Most years we get around 1000 people at our Anzac parade,” he said. “Last year we got at
least 3000 as it was 100 years since Gallipoli.” This year an Anzac Day biscuit-baking competition held for school, with the biscuits used to fill the club’s tins for the cups of tea immediately
after the Anzac Day dawn parade; this was followed by a free breakfast at the clubrooms. Much of memorabilia on display in the pop-up shop belongs to 83-year-old Neil Vickers, a South Taranaki man who started collecting medals after returning from wartime service with the 1st Battalion in the jungles of Malaya. His collection started with medals given to him by a former major in the Scottish Black Watch Regiment, and grew from there. He has a lot of Scottish and New Zealand medals, badges and other memorabilia, and likes to research the history of each acquisition. “Who earned it, what it was for, every medal and badge has a story.” He maintains he’s too old for computers, so does his research into medals from books. And each medal is polished once or twice a year: “My wife tells me I should buy Brasso by the gallon.” He wears his own medals at Anzac parades, and says he likes seeing young people and children wearing their relatives’ medals, but is saddened when he sees medals up for sale. “They should be with the family, but sometimes the younger generation aren’t interested.”