Art Deco Parade to remember D-Day

Royal Navy D-Day veteran Stan Douglas of Napier with the Royal New Zealand Navy's Hawke's Bay liaison officer Lieutenant Commander Neville Smith, left, at the navy anchor feature on Marine Parade. Photo/Duncan Brown

The few remaining Hawke's Bay veterans of the historic D-Day landings of 1944 will be honoured during this Saturday's Art Deco parade through the central city.

While there are only likely to be four of the Normandy Veterans Association lads taking part this weekend, their participation will be "significant" as there is a strong and patriotic military theme to this year's Tremain Art Deco Weekend, according to Navy liaison officer Lieutenant Commander Neville Smith.

It is the 70th year since D-Day, as well as the 75th year since the outbreak of WW2 and 100 years since the outbreak of WW1 so a diverse military presence, as well as a large delegation of international representatives, was fitting for a weekend which has long had an association with the armed services.

The navy, army and air force had all provided relief assistance in the wake of the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake which led to the creation of the Art Deco central city.

"It was very good to get the call to be part of it," D-Day and navy veteran Stan Douglas said.

"It will be a proud moment for us."

He served aboard HMS Javelin, which was one of 62 Royal Navy ships involved in the most momentous allied push into German-occupied Europe on June 6, 1944.

He will be joined by his D-Day compatriots Max Collett (485 Squadron Spitfires), Noel Sutherland (RAF 190 Squadron) and Bill Walker (Royal Navy).

Also joining them will be Dudley Marshall who served in the Middle East.

"These veterans are a very important part of the big parade," Mr Smith said.

"Their numbers are few now and it is important they are recognised."

They will be among the VIP passengers aboard the leading vehicles which will take part in the Automobilia Vintage Car Parade which sets out from Clive Square at noon and rolls up to the Sound Shell.

About 250 vintage cars will take part.

Adding to the military touch will be Territorial soldiers from the Wellington/Hawke's Bay 5/7 Battalion, cadets from units across the Bay who are celebrating the 150th anniversary of the cadet service, the Navy Band and the ship's company of HMNZS Hawea which will be in port during the weekend.

It will be a proud moment for its commanding officer Lieutenant Anthony Norris as he was born in Napier.

"He only took over the ship three months ago so it's great that he is now able to bring it to his old home town," Mr Smith said.

The air force will also be part of the great parade - but from the air.

An RNZAF Iriquois helicopter will fly over the parade.

Mr Smith said this year's Tremain Art Deco event would be especially notable as for the first time it would be hosting United States Embassy and High Commission of Canada representatives.

Lieutenant Jason Palumbo, operations co-ordinator with the US Defence Attache and Colonel Acton Kilby, Defence Advisor with the Canadian High Commission in Canberra, will be taking in the deco delights.

"They have no idea just how big this is - they don't know what they're in for."

Also arriving will be Major Piero Bertocchi from the Australian High Commission, Lieutenant Colonel Tim Woodman from the British High Commission, Colonel Jeremy Harker representing the New Zealand Army and Royal New Zealand Navy Commodore John Campbell.

Eastern Districts Area Commander Superintendent Sandy Venables will represent police, with a section of officers and dog units also featuring in the parade.