A service at Te Awamutu’s Anzac Green on Saturday will commemorate one of New Zealand’s darkest days in World War One.
Anzac Green
The half-hour October 12 service will mark this country’s losses at Passchendaele in Flanders, Belgium, on October 12, 1917.
Lou Brown
Te Awamutu RSA’s Lou Brown said the battle has become known as one in which the greatest number New Zealand troops, around 550, were lost in a single day.
“This year is the battle’s 107th commemoration,” Brown said. “Commemorative services are held in rotation at different centres around New Zealand. Te Awamutu held it on the 100th anniversary, and we have been asked to hold this one.”
He said Saturday’s service will include a presentation on the battle at Passchendaele.
Te Awamutu cadets and local and national groups with military affiliations, including Patriots Defence Force Motorcycle Club members, will attend. Many of their number ride into the area each year for commemorative services at the Pukeatua War Memorial Church.
Saturday’s service will be around the recently-restored flagpole at Anzac Green in Teasdale St. It will start at 11.30am.
