The National Commemoration of the Battle of Passchendaele was held at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington yesterday.
The event marked the 100th anniversary of the attack on Bellevue Spur at the Battle of Passchendaele – one of the costliest and bloodiest engagements in New Zealand’s military history.
On 12 October 1917, about 843 New Zealand soldiers were killed and 1,860 wounded. Many more died later, as a result of wounding.
Prince William attends the Passchendaele Centenary Service in Belgium.
Meanwhile in Belgium, Prince William attended the centenary service commemorating the actions, valour and commitment of the Kiwis at the battle of Passchendaele.
The Duke, who represented the Queen at the event in Belgium, was joined by the country's Princess Astrid and delivered his speech at Tyne Cot cemetery, near the town of Ypres in Flanders.
He was given the traditional greeting by Bill Henry "Willie" Apiata, a former corporal in the New Zealand Special Air Service and a Victoria Cross recipient.
Veteran's Solvent Exposure Linked With Parkinson's
A navy veteran has been successful in his years-long fight for recognition connecting his Parkinson’s disease with chemical exposure during his military service.
The veteran, who wishes to remain anonymous, was exposed to Trichloroethylene (TCE) during his navy career, and subsequently developed a number of debilitating conditions. He had used TCE as a cleaning solvent, for degreasing and cleaning electronics.
Members from RSA’s Support Services team have been helping him get recognition and assistance from the state; in particular, Veteran Advocate Richard Terrill has been assisting with gaining his entitlements.
It has been long and difficult road for this veteran – while this recognition and recompense won’t cure an incurable and advanced condition, it will set a precedent for others in similar situations.
If you or someone you know is in a similar situation, get in contact with your Local or District RSA Support staff.
However, an empty hall across from Trentham Military Camp may as well have been Santa’s workshop as about 40 volunteers, including schoolchildren, packed hundreds of Christmas treats for New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) members serving overseas.
On Thursday 28th September, the RSA, NZDF, Foodstuff, Z Energy, and students from Mt Cook School, came together to pack 300 boxes full of Kiwi treats for the service personnel deployed overseas during Christmas.
2017 marks 100 years since the bloody Battles of Messines and Passchendaele.
These two conflicts from the Western Front are never to be forgotten.
November 9, The Royal New Zealand Navy Band will pay tribute to New Zealand’s past and present while looking forward to a peaceful and positive future, with these two Battles being the underlying themes of the concert’s remembrance.
All funds raised from the concert will be donated to support service men and women, and their families, NZ wide.
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