OVER 300 REMEMBER NEW ZEALANDER'S SACRIFICE

"Over 300 people attended Sundays annual Anzac Service in Brockenhurst cemetry, a traditional mark of respect for the ninety-three New Zealand soldiers buried there after dying of their wounds during the First World War. Heading the New Zealand contingent was Deputy High Commissioner Suzanne Blumhardt, who, impressed by the simple yet poignant service at which children place posies at the foot of each headstone, told an "A & T" reporter, "These graves are kept beautifully in an absolutely lovely setting and I recognise some of the Maori names. I am amazed at the turnout of the villagers, who still come along to pay their respects after all these years.

A short distance from the cemetry on Tile Barn hill, a tented and galvanized hospital complex known to the locals as "Tin Town" was first erected in 1915 to treat soldiers of the 3rd (Lahore) and 7th (Meerut) Divisions from the Indian Army Corps, sent to help the British Expiditionary Force fighting in France and Flanders. Almost 300 Indian wounded were treated before before the Corps was posted to Egypt that November.

In January 1916, Tin Town was taken over by No1 New Zealand General Hospital, and hutted accommodation was erected in Church Lane. Over 21,000 New Zealand casualties were treated, including the 93 who died, before it closed soon after the war, in February 1919, when the Commanding Officer presented a New Zealand flag to St Nicholas church - where its replacement stand in New Zealand corner. In 1924 this connection was further strengthened when relatives of those who died subscribed towards the purchase of No2 bell in the church tower, dedicated to those New Zealand soldiers.

The graves, in what was then called the New Zealand and Colonial Soldier's Corner were cared for by the Brockenhurst Roll of Honour Guild, whose president in 1934 was the Honourable T.M.Wilford KC., High Commissioner for New Zealand, and the lady guardian by appointment since 1919, was Mrs C.M.Salwey. On 1924 the plot was reorganised into its present format, and three years later, the handsome cenotaph was erected, under aegis of the Commonwealth  War Graves Commission, the graves continue to be looked after by the Parish Council, whose groundsman, Gordon Glenton, ensures the gravestones remain in the same condition as the day they were erected.

At Sundays open-air service, the Lesson was read by Sub Lieutenant Paul Eady of the Royal New Zealand Navy, currently on exchange in Portsmouth. As for the past 20 years and more, hymn singing was accompanied by 30 talented muscians from the Southampton Youth Brass Band, who also sounded the Last Post and Reveille, when the six standards on parade, including those of the Royal British Legion, were lowered.

In his short address, the vicar, Rev Francis Cumberlege, referred to the time when the First World War was considered the war to end all wars, but within 20 years there was another world war, and conflicts continue around the world. He was amazed than men should be prepared to travel half way round the world to fight and give their lives in order to counter tyrany and oppression. "We thank God for all those that came to our aid in times of need. We must learn to live our lives in harmony with God and one another."

Wreaths were laid at the Cenotaph, including those by Mrs Blumhardt, Major-Gen  John Woollet, as president of the Legion branch, and John Korby as Parish Council Chairman. Posies were laid by 12 Brownies, 11 Guides, 9 Beavers and 8 Cubs, with Lymington Army Cadets also in attendance, along with many and old soldier
Reproduced with kind permission of New Milton Advertiser & Times

ANZAC DAY Sunday 25th April 2004

The service was taken by the Rev Francis Cummerlege, Vicar of Brockenhurst with the Arch Deacon of Auckland, New Zealand in attendance.

The inspection of contingents was carried out by

Major General J.C. Woollett CBE, MC
Mr Barry Eddington Senior Attachè
Admiral Sir Peter Abbott GBE KCB (Head of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission)
Major Paul Dragicevich New Zealand Royal Signals
 

Adele Pentony-Graham from NZ having just laid a wreath on behalf of the Carterton Historical Society NZ		The Standard bearers comprising of Girl Guides and British Legion personnel
The dignitaries and children who laid the wreaths and flowers on each grave		The service in progress Left to right: Rev Francis Cummerlege, Major Paul Dragicevich, Archdeacon of Auckland
Major Paul Dragicevich, and the Archdeacon of Auckland chatting to some of the school children who laid flowers at each grave		Wreath laying on the main memorial