Armistice Day remembered

Masterton RSA president Bob Hill was among those who attended the service. PHOTOS/LYNDA FERINGA

About 100 people turned out in Masterton yesterday to remember those who served and died in World War I.

Yesterday was the 97th anniversary of Armistice Day, which signalled the end of the war on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, 1918.

Reverend Ted Dashfield (left), Dan Rodder and Ivan Coley listen to commemoration speeches.

A service was held in sunny weather at the Cenotaph in Queen Elizabeth Park commemorating the 460 young Wairarapa men who served and died in the war dubbed the war to end all wars.

Men and women who had served in succeeding wars were wearing their medals on their left, and those who were remembering family members wore medals on their right side.

Guest speaker Tom Williams of Masterton shared some history of the men from the district who had served in the war.

President of the Masterton RSA, Bob Hill, and Masterton Mayor Lyn Patterson each laid a wreath at the cenotaph.

"For me it's quite emotional," said Mrs Patterson.

"We think about the sacrifice all those men from our district made and I think we need to show respect by remembering them for what they did for their country, and ultimately us.

"A lot of those men never came back and there was a generation of lost young men and this was devastating on our rural communities."

A member of the Masterton District Brass Band played the Last Post as the New Zealand flag was lowered to half mast.

Ex-WREN Pene Jackson was celebrating her birthday but took time out to be at the Armistice Day commemorations.

After The Ode had been read in both te reo Maori and English the flag was raised to full mast.

The ceremony was concluded with the brass band playing New Zealand's national anthem, and with a blessing.

People were invited back to the Masterton RSA for refreshments.

There was also Armistice Day, or Remembrance Day, ceremonies in Carterton and Featherston.