Dargaville ATC, RSA To Mark Founding And WW1

THE Dargaville 57 Squadron Air Training Corps and Dargaville RSA will hold a commemorative service at the Dargaville town hall on November 8 to celebrate the 150 year anniversary of the founding of the New Zealand Cadet Services and commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the start of World War One, focusing on the day the war ended.

World War One began on 28 July 1914, lasting till 11 November 1918 costing the lives of 18,500 New Zealand soldiers, who were first involved in the fighting at the Battle of Gallipoli on April 25, 2015.

57th Squadron unit commander Barbara Gillatt says remembering the contribution more than 100,000 New Zealanders made in the war is now more important than ever. “So many Kiwis laid down their lives for New Zealand between 1914 and 1918 and while a century may have passed their sacrifice on the world stage made the New Zealand way of life possible,” says Gillatt. “We should honor them for that.”

She says most of the people involved in World War Two are likely to have been a member of an armed forces cadet unit.

The first cadet unit was formed in Dunedin High School (now Otago Boys High School) in 1864 and by 1870 there were several including units in Nelson College, Christ’s College, Wellington College and Auckland Grammar.

The national spread of cadet forces didn't begin until 1902, and the army got involved after the Boer War and the New Zealand armed forces started supplying uniforms, rifles and other equipment from 1911.

Joining the cadets in school was compulsory throughout the country for many years.

Records indicate a cadet unit was operating in Te Kopuru in 1904 but this eventually disbanded and the Northern Wairoa squadron was formed in 1941 by Alwyn White and has paraded continuously since, helping in community and taking part in training with a military flavour.

Dargaville RSA president, John McLean says the ATC has always played a huge part in RSA events and the community as a whole.

“The cadets have always been supportive of the RSA and we have always tried to help them,” he said.

On November 8 the Dargaville RSA and 57th Dargaville ATC squadron will hold a civil ceremony at the Dargaville Town Hall to commemorate both significant events.

The organisation wants families who have a connection with WWI, members of the public and ex cadets to attend.

Veteran and cadets will form a guard of honor for the ceremony which will honour our WW1 soldiers and support people, and the role NZ Cadet Forces have played in the community..

Attendees will then march to the Cenotaph where the last post will be played.

Gillatt says the ceremony will be the close for a wide range of events scheduled.

Celebrations will kick off with a reunion luncheon at the Dargaville Aero club on October 26, which will be followed up by talks at many of the districts' schools.

www.facebook.com/57SQNreunion

© Scoop Media