Korean War vets left out of ballot

Korean war veterans have been excluded from a ballot of old soldiers and student essay writers to go to Gallipoli to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the 1915 Anzac landings, on April 25.

Veterans Affairs New Zealand (Vanz) is inviting applications from men who served in World War II (including J Force), Malaya, Borneo, Indonesia and Vietnam, but not Korea.

Women who also served with the Army, Navy and Air Force and the New Zealand Nursing Corps can also apply.

The Prime Minister's office has also invited essays from year 12 and year 13 high school students and 10 will be chosen to go on the trip.

Veterans Affairs confirmed yesterday that Korea veterans had been excluded because they had had two sponsored trips to commemorate the Korean War in the last few years.

World War II veterans who went on commemorative trips to Cassino in Italy, and to El Alamein in North Africa would also be excluded, said Vanz director Jessie Gunn.

"It is really to catch up on those who haven't otherwise had a commemorative activity provided for them and they have had at least two," Ms Gunn said.

But she said Vanz might reconsider including Korean veterans who had not been on a commemorative trip.

The fruitless, eight-month Gallipoli campaign which began with the landing of Anzac troops on April 25, lasted eight months. Of the 7500 New Zealand casualties, 2721 died, one in four of those who landed.

It was one of the costliest campaigns New Zealand had ever been part of and for many it signalled the birth of feelings of nationhood and the Anzac spirit.

The 32 balloted veterans and the best 10 essay writers will leave New Zealand on an Air Force Boeing 757 on April 20.

Ms Gunn said Anzac Day had become a symbol of New Zealand's commitment to past and present wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

"We feel it is important to reflect this in the make-up of the New Zealand veteran contingent," she said.

The commemorations are expected to attract thousands of New Zealanders and Australians of all ages to Anzac Cove, where the troops landed.

- NZPA