Region honours those who served

MOMENT: Charlie Jack, Masterton (centre), bows his head in prayer.

The sacrifice thousands of young New Zealanders made nearly a century ago was commemorated at an Armistice Day service held at Masterton's cenotaph yesterday.

About 100 people, including veterans of wars that followed the 1914-18 conflict - ironically termed the war to end all wars - paid their respects to those who served, and died, in the dreadful conflict that was World War I.

A two-minute silence was observed after a welcome given by Masterton RSA president Bob Hill and padre Merv Jones presented a prayer and spoke of events 95 years ago when the German forces had sought, and agreed to, an armistice, silencing the guns on the Western Front.

That event has been commemorated each year since at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

Two Makoura College students who had researched the lives of some of the Wairarapa soldiers spoke of what they learned.

Kimberley Smith spoke about William Henry Winter, a Masterton man who rose to the rank of Sergeant Major, went missing in action at Chunuk Bair on August 8, 1915, and whose body has never been found.

Zoe Bowater told of the war experiences of brothers Stanley and Alexander Bannister, also of Masterton.

Stanley Bannister was killed in Belgium and his brother was repatriated to New Zealand after being diagnosed with tuberculosis, only to die of the disease a little short of a year after the war ended.

The two students spoke of the honour and privilege of being able to talk of those who had made their country proud. They had learned "war is bloody, war is murder, war is tragic".

Masterton mayor Lyn Patterson and Mr Hill led the wreath laying.

Helping out throughout the service were young people of the 21 Squadron ATC and the Masterton District Brass Band.