Councillor's connection to conflict

BRINGING IT HOME: Carterton councillor Ruth Carter (left) and mayor John Booth beside the cross commemorating her great-uncle. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

Memorial crosses for the Carterton soldiers lost in World War I were erected beneath the pin oak tree in Memorial Square yesterday, including one cross with a special family connection for councillor Ruth Carter.

Mrs Carter's great-uncle, rifleman George William Blake, was one of the 105 men from the district killed during the war.

He was shot at Ypres in Belgium aged 29.

Mrs Carter said seeing the cross drove home the consequences of the war.

"There's more connection today, like he's actually come home. It seemed real - what had happened and what he had done for his country. When you see it for yourself it makes it real."

His brother and Mrs Carter's grandfather, Walter Blake, also served in World War I, but returned home.

Mayor John Booth, whose grandfather Bert Booth served in the Royal Fusiliers during the war, said there were many familiar names to be found amongst the crosses. "There's family names through there that still have family here today . . . I felt quite emotional just thinking about those families who lost so much."

He toured the battlefields in 2007 and said the number of New Zealand soldiers lost was staggering.

The last cross in the field of remembrance will be laid at a ceremony at 12.30pm today. The field of remembrance will remain in place until next Monday.