Fallen soldiers honoured at Tauranga waterfront

The first of 109 white crosses are placed at Tauranga waterfront to honour the city's fallen soldiers ahead of this year's Armistice Day. Photo / John Borren

The first three men from Tauranga who died in World War I have been remembered with white crosses and poppies at the city's waterfront.

By Armistice Day next month, they will be joined by another 106 - each representing the life of a local fallen soldier.

The 109 crosses are part of a series of commemorations around the city to mark 100 years since the end of the war on November 11, 1918.

The crosses are being erected in groups corresponding to the months in which they died.

Today, the first three crosses were erected to represent soldiers Ronald Tracey Matheson, Frederick Hugh Dodson and Raymond John Baker, who lost their lives in either March or April 1915.

Tomorrow , crosses honouring the memory of four soldiers who died in May or June 1915 will be erected.

Tauranga RSA president Fred Milligan said it was important to remember the weight of the war.

"I had two uncles in it. One of them returned. One died, so it's fairly significant for me," Milligan said.

"There are so many families like that. It was a terrible time. There's no doubt about that."

Milligan said the horrors of war, such as battling in trenches, impacted heavily on the lives of many soldiers, "so I think it is an important thing to remember".

Mayor Greg Brownless said he was looking forward to seeing the Field of Remembrance evolving day by day.

Frederick H Dodson. Photo / Tauranga Heritage Collection

"Setting up the crosses is emotional for everyone involved with each individual cross bearing the name of a soldier who had died," Brownless said.

"The field provides a significant opportunity for our community to honour the men who gave their lives at war.

"We commemorate the centenary of the armistice this year and I invite everyone to use this opportunity to connect with our own history."

Ronald T Matheson. Photo / Tauranga Heritage Collection

Cadets from the Western Bay of Plenty Cadet Unit, along with the assistance of other units in the area, place the crosses in the Field of Remembrance at dawn each day.

People are welcome to join them and commemorate our fallen.

The Field of Remembrance will be accompanied by the Homecomings: From Tauranga to the Trenches exhibition. After all the crosses are installed, they will be relocated to Memorial Park, the location for the city's official Armistice Day Centenary Service.

Raymond Baker. Photo / Tauranga Heritage Collection