Post by flyjoe180 on Oct 18, 2007 19:38:33 GMT 12
The Marlborough Returned and Services Association has remembered the soldiers who served in the Boer War in a ceremony held at the Tua Marina cemetery yesterday.
The ceremony commemorated the first contingent of New Zealand soldiers to depart for the South African (Boer) War on October 21, 1899.
More than 40 people attended the ceremony and Marlborough RSA president Royd Woolf said it was one of the best attendances they had had in recent years.
"It's special that the RSA has an obligation to commemorate this day."
Alison Orchard attended to pay her respects in remembrance of her grand-father, George Thompson Crawford, who left in 1901 to serve in the Boer War.
She said Mr Crawford trained in the Wither Hills and was 18 years old when he enlisted.
Mrs Orchard saved a portrait painting of her grandfather from being thrown away when she was a teenager.
"I just liked it."
She said one of the saddest stories her grandfather told her after the war was when he had to shoot his horse when he was in Africa.
Former Marlborough mayor and RNZAF aircraft technician Tom Harrison said, "It's emotional, these events always are emotional.
"I'm pleased to see the turn out here."
Mr Harrison said the commemoration was all about remembering our forefathers who fought in the war so later generations could experience democracy.
"I hope future generations will never forget."
www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4242427a6563.html
The ceremony commemorated the first contingent of New Zealand soldiers to depart for the South African (Boer) War on October 21, 1899.
More than 40 people attended the ceremony and Marlborough RSA president Royd Woolf said it was one of the best attendances they had had in recent years.
"It's special that the RSA has an obligation to commemorate this day."
Alison Orchard attended to pay her respects in remembrance of her grand-father, George Thompson Crawford, who left in 1901 to serve in the Boer War.
She said Mr Crawford trained in the Wither Hills and was 18 years old when he enlisted.
Mrs Orchard saved a portrait painting of her grandfather from being thrown away when she was a teenager.
"I just liked it."
She said one of the saddest stories her grandfather told her after the war was when he had to shoot his horse when he was in Africa.
Former Marlborough mayor and RNZAF aircraft technician Tom Harrison said, "It's emotional, these events always are emotional.
"I'm pleased to see the turn out here."
Mr Harrison said the commemoration was all about remembering our forefathers who fought in the war so later generations could experience democracy.
"I hope future generations will never forget."
www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4242427a6563.html