Boer War soldiers to be remembered Armistice Day

MEDIA RELEASE
Friday, October 25, 2002

Boer War soldiers to be remembered on Armistice Day

A remembrance service and street parade will be held in central Christchurch on Monday, 11, November, 2002 to commemorate Armistice Day and the 100th Anniversary of the end of the Boer War.

The Boer War, 1899-1902, was significant to New Zealand as it was the first time it had sent troops to support an international force, overseas. A total of 6495 men were dispatched to South Africa from a New Zealand population of just 750,000.

By the time the Peace of Vereeniging Agreement was signed on 31 May,1902 and the war was brought to an end, 288 New Zealand servicemen had died.

Descendants of those who served in the Boer War and WWI are expected to attend the commemorative activities. Armistice Day marks the signing of the Armistice, which ended WWI in 1918.

Events on November 11 will be conducted by the Christchurch City Council, Christchurch Returned Services Association and the NZ Army.

The commemorative activities will start at the Bridge of Remembrance at 10am and finish at noon in Victoria Square. An ode to the fallen, laying of wreaths and lowering of the New Zealand flag will be part of the service at the Bridge of Remembrance.

Just after 11am, a parade including ex service personnel, service personnel, the NZ Army Band and dignitaries will proceed down Oxford Tce to Victoria Square, where Mayor, Garry Moore will give a formal address and a plaque commemorating the Boer War will be unveiled. The NZ Operational Service Medal (NZOSM) will also be presented to service people at the commemorations, who have served overseas since the end of World War II.

Oxford Tce will be closed to traffic on Monday 11 November from 11.00am to 11.30am between Lichfield Street and Hereford Street.

ENDS

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