Whangārei Armistice Day commemorations mark 100 years since end of World War I

"It is hard for us now to imagine how it felt to hear the news that the war was over and the relief and hopefulness of their loved ones returning back home to their families."

Those were the words of Whangārei RSA president Chris Harold at yesterday's Armistice Day centenary commemorations in Whangārei. The ceremony was one of several held across Northland.

The armistice that ended World War I was signed on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.

Around 500 people, including school students, Scouts, cadets, veterans, police and members of the public gathered at the cenotaph at Whangārei's Laurie Hall Park at 10.30am for the ceremony.

A field of remembrance set up in front of the cenotaph was made up of 290 crosses with the names of the men from the Whangārei district who did not return home after the war.

Bagpiper Angus Trail performs at the Armistice Day commemoration in Whangārei. Photo/John Stone

Harold said those men remain in the countries in which they breathed their last breath.

Whangārei mayor Sheryl Mai spoke of the "devastating loss of life" caused by the war and the outpouring of emotion when news came through it was over.

"It would have been impossible to find a family in New Zealand that hadn't been directly affected."

After the laying of wreaths and the reading of The Ode, the ceremony was ahead of schedule so people were invited to lay poppies on the cenotaph before the final part of the ceremony.

Retired Merchant Navy chief engineer Nick Padfield said he laid his wreath to commemorate the millions of animals killed in the conflict.

Veterans Percy Blundell and Peter Nicholl lay a wreath on behalf of the Vietnam and Malaya veterans. Photo/John Stone

After a moment's silence and the playing of the Last Post at exactly 11am, Whangārei RSA vice-president Kevin Peachey, lead the crowd with three cheers.

It was part of call by WW100 to create a Roaring Chorus to mark the centenary of the armistice that ended the war in 1918.

Mai had a small clapper in each hand which she shook to lead the joyful cacophony.

Harold said the crowd was bigger than usual, with Armistice Day normally attracting around 150 to 200 people.

He put the bigger attendance down to it being the centenary and that the day fell on a weekend.

Around 500 people gathered in Whangārei for the ceremony. Photo/John Stone