Media Advisory

19 October 2012
North African Veterans Remembered

Commemorations to mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle of El Alamein will take place at the National War Memorial in Wellington on Tuesday.

During the North African Campaign almost 10,000 New Zealanders were killed or wounded, and more than 4,000 became prisoners of war. More than 1100 New Zealanders are buried in the El Alamein Commonwealth War Graves cemetery – the largest number of New Zealanders buried in one cemetery outside New Zealand.

The wreath-laying ceremony will be attended by the Minister of Veterans’ Affairs Hon. Nathan Guy; Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General Rhys Jones; Defence Chiefs; members of the Diplomatic Corps and El Alamein veterans.

What: Wreath-laying ceremony to mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle of El Alamein

Where: National War Memorial, Buckle Street, Wellington

When: Tuesday 23 October, 11.00am
ENDS