Post by flyjoe180 on Nov 11, 2007 10:59:40 GMT 12
tvnz.co.nz/view/page/536641/1441260
Nov 11, 2007 9:30 AM
A national commemorative service is being held at the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul to commemorate November 11 on the 89th anniversary of the end of World War I.
An Armistice was signed to mark the end of the war at the 11th hour, on the 11th day of the 11th month, 1918.
RSA spokesman Bill Hopper says a two minute silence would be observed in memory of those who died serving their country.
Hopper says last month's anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele has reminded people about the atrocities of the war and he was expecting a big turnout.
The RSA will mark Armistice Day by honouring Corporal Willie Apiata VC with a life membership badge in recognition of his courage in Afghanistan in 2004. The Governor General will unveil a badge in gold honouring the country's VC recipients at the RSA's headquarters in Wellington. The RSA's highest honour will be awarded posthumously to 21 people who received the Victoria Cross while serving during the New Zealand Wars, the South African War and the two World Wars.
There are currently six living recipients of the Badge in Gold. The most recent was awarded to World War II saboteur Nancy Wake, better known to the Gestapo as the White Mouse.
New Zealand had a population of 1.1 million in 1914 and sent 100,000 men and women abroad to play their part in the war. Nearly 17,000 of them never returned and 40,000 were wounded.
Wreath laying ceremonies will also be taking place across the country.
Meanwhile the last surviving British veteran to fight in the trenches during World War I is due to meet the Queen. Harry Patch, 109, will be a special guest at the Royal Festival of Remembrance in London but says he doesn't have much time for the pomp of the official ceremonies.
Patch was called up for service in 1917 and was wounded in the Battle of Passchendaele.
Nov 11, 2007 9:30 AM
A national commemorative service is being held at the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul to commemorate November 11 on the 89th anniversary of the end of World War I.
An Armistice was signed to mark the end of the war at the 11th hour, on the 11th day of the 11th month, 1918.
RSA spokesman Bill Hopper says a two minute silence would be observed in memory of those who died serving their country.
Hopper says last month's anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele has reminded people about the atrocities of the war and he was expecting a big turnout.
The RSA will mark Armistice Day by honouring Corporal Willie Apiata VC with a life membership badge in recognition of his courage in Afghanistan in 2004. The Governor General will unveil a badge in gold honouring the country's VC recipients at the RSA's headquarters in Wellington. The RSA's highest honour will be awarded posthumously to 21 people who received the Victoria Cross while serving during the New Zealand Wars, the South African War and the two World Wars.
There are currently six living recipients of the Badge in Gold. The most recent was awarded to World War II saboteur Nancy Wake, better known to the Gestapo as the White Mouse.
New Zealand had a population of 1.1 million in 1914 and sent 100,000 men and women abroad to play their part in the war. Nearly 17,000 of them never returned and 40,000 were wounded.
Wreath laying ceremonies will also be taking place across the country.
Meanwhile the last surviving British veteran to fight in the trenches during World War I is due to meet the Queen. Harry Patch, 109, will be a special guest at the Royal Festival of Remembrance in London but says he doesn't have much time for the pomp of the official ceremonies.
Patch was called up for service in 1917 and was wounded in the Battle of Passchendaele.
