26 April 2016

Chunuk Bair Service Attracts Capacity Crowd

The annual New Zealand Memorial Service at Chunuk Bair on the Gallipoli peninsula took place this morning [25 April] in perfect weather and in front of a capacity crowd of nearly 1,000 mostly young people. The service was conducted by New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) Chaplain Colin Mason, the Principal Navy Chaplain.

Whilst Chunuk Bair contains the graves of just eight New Zealanders, a further 850 names are on the Memorial to the Missing there, making it the largest New Zealand commemorative site in Gallipoli.

The Commemorative Address was given by the Minister of Defence, Gerry Brownlee, who also jointly laid a wreath with Australian Minister of Veterans' Affairs Dan Tehan. They were followed by the Chief of Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Tony Davies, and the Australian Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Angus Campbell.

The reading was delivered by Second Lieutenant Nick Hill, the NZDF Reservist of the Year for 2015, who had the privilege of being the first to wear Nga Tapuwae (footsteps), the recently presented NZDF cloak, or kahu huruhuru, to be worn by people of all ranks on special occasions.

Other highlights of the service included waiata by the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) Maori Cultural Group, and the NZDF Haka, performed by this year's NZDF contingent supporting the Gallipoli commemorations. The contingent comprised the Catafalque Guard, a tri-service band, the Maori Cultural Group and a team of site liaison officers.

The service concluded with the NZDF Haka, performed by the whole contingent.

A large collection of high-resolution photos of the service is available via this drop box:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/3ruyj8i4clema8t/AABVrQ11ZOYcz_rI8Upv1p_ta?dl=j

ENDS

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