Pioneers, families honoured at Combined Services Day service

Representing army, navy and air force personnel at the Combined Services Day service on Sunday were, from left Daniel Shelton (Tolaga Bay), Hughie Hughes (Ruatoria) and Gisborne RSA president Trevor Jukes. The service was held outside the Gisborne RSA. Picture by Dyson Parkes

It may be 105 years since the guns stopped firing, but the (Māori) Pioneer Battalion/Te Hokowhitu a Tū Battle Honours Flag, 1914-1918, made its official debut at Gisborne’s Combined Services Day service, held on Sunday.

At the historic hour of 11am, ex-serviceman and historian Dr Harawira Pearless stood on parade with the battalion’s colours which he designed with the support and consent of the sole surviving 28 (Māori) Battalion veteran, Sir Robert Gillies.

Guest speaker Warrant Officer Dennis Weir (NZDF retired) said the warm sunny weather was appropriate for the theme of his address — families.

He said he would not speak for long so families could go and enjoy the warm temperatures.

But he wanted to thank families who would often have relatives away from home for long periods of time, or in many cases, would never see them again.

About 100,000 military personnel, from a New Zealand population of 1.1 million, served in World War 1 with 100,000 being killed and another 41,000 being wounded or becoming ill.

Mr Weir estimated those veterans, away serving their country, represented 50,000 families.

He thanked his wife and children for the time he had spent away from home.

He had missed much of the children’s growing up, which he regretted.

Mr Weir acknowledged four former servicemen present at the service whom he had served with.

They meant a lot to him, he said.

One was Mr Pearless.

Mr Weir said the Pioneer Battalion’s colours featured 22 battle honours of World War 1.

Aircraft from the Gisborne Aero Club could be heard flying overhead as Mr Weir spoke, adding to the sense of occasion.

About 30 ex-military personnel attended the service along with approximately 50 members of the public, some seeking shade on the other side of Childers Road from the RSA.

Gisborne RSA president Trevor Jukes thanked Mr Pearless for his work.

“I’m so impressed we have the privilege of displaying the Pioneer Battalion flag.

“It is a colossal tribute to the work these chaps did all those years ago.

“It was thankless work.”

Mr Jukes also thanked Mr Weir, City of Gisborne Highland Pipe Band, RSA padre Peter Koia, City of Gisborne Brass Band, Gisborne Salvation Army Band, bugler Grant Harris, City of Gisborne Cadet Unit, Darton Field Aviation Trust, Gisborne Aero Club, emergency services and the public.

In 1928 Theatre of War and Battle Honours were awarded to New Zealand infantry and Mounted Rifles Units, but not to the (Māori) Pioneer Battalion/Te Hokowhitu a Tū.

The pioneers served in France and Belgium digging and repairing trenches, building roads and often operating under artillery fire and within range of deadly snipers.