A cross for every one who served

NOT FORGOTTEN: Kawakawa's crosses, in memory of those who went to war 100 years ago.

The 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War I was marked last week with the planting of 57 crosses, one for each person from the district who served in the Great War, in a Lawn of Remembrance at the Kawakawa RSA.

Among those at Saturday's ceremony were four Northlanders whose fathers served in World War I and two veterans of World War II.

New Zealand occupied what was then German Samoa in August 1914, and in October dispatched an Expeditionary Force, initially bound for Europe but diverted to Egypt. On board were three Kawakawa men.

Pat Goodhue, who still lives on the Pokapu farm his father Arthur Goodhue bought in 1912, wore two of his dad's bravery and service medals. Like many veterans, his father had "clammed up" about the war.

"But it affected him until his dying day. He was gassed in the trenches, which affected his health, and had a lot of shell-shock. He could never settle down," Mr Goodhue said.

His sister, Dorothy Halliday, said their father fought on the battlefields of France and Belgium. Two of his uncles were killed at the Somme.

She was delighted with the RSA's gesture, and "gobsmacked" by the number of people who attended the ceremony.

Bev Martin (Paihia) knew only from photos that her father, James Dodd, from Kawakawa, had served in Africa and been in hospital in England.

"He never spoke about it. He never, ever mentioned the war," she said.

The father of Kawakawa 84-year-old Elma Reti, Herbert Rigden, of Opua, enlisted in 1917 and served in France.

He returned but her uncle George was not so lucky, dying in France or Belgium that same year, 1917.

Kawakawa RSA president Noeline Lemon said she was pleased to see so many descendants of World War I veterans at the ceremony, particularly those whose fathers had served.

"It's important to remember what they've done for us," she said.

Of the 57 men and women from the Kawakawa District who served in the Great War, 15 lost their lives.

Two World War II veterans also took part in Saturday's commemorations. Originally from Kawakawa but now living in Waipu, 93-year-old Gordon Coutts served in the 21st Battalion across North Africa and at the battle of Monte Cassino, while Jack Maioha, 87, of Russell, served in J-Force in the post-war occupation of Japan.

RSA Northland president Ian McDougall said many more events were planned around the district in the lead-up to the centenary of the 1915 Gallipoli landings.

"It's a very important year, an important time for New Zealanders to reflect on something that had a profound effect on our country," he said.