Tribute to Gallipoli's bravest

Corporal Cyril Bassett, who received the VC for his bravery under fire at Gallipoli. Photo / Supplied

The only New Zealander to receive the Victoria Cross for his bravery at Gallipoli will be honoured at a special ceremony in Wellington today, Armistice Day.

Corporal Cyril Bassett's daughter and grand-daughter will attend the event at Defence House with members of his old regiment, the New Zealand Divisional Signals Company.

Mr Bassett, and just a handful of others, was recognised for his bravery in laying and repeatedly repairing a telephone wire to the frontline in Gallipoli in 1915. He survived the horrors of the war.

A historian wrote: "In full daylight and under continuous and heavy fire, Bassett dashed and then crept, then dashed and crept again, up to the forward line [to repair the lines]."

Mr Bassett, on receiving his Victoria Cross, reportedly said: "All my mates ever got were wooden crosses."

Members of his family will speak at today's event, paying tribute to him and the others who served and lost their lives in Gallipoli. A speech competition in Mr Bassett's memory will also be launched. The National Bank RSA Cyril Bassett VC Speech Competition invites Year 12 and 13 students to come up with a tribute speech to those who died at Gallipoli.

Regional competitions will run next year in the lead-up to Anzac Day, when the overall winning speaker will fly to Gallipoli to be part of the services.

Mr Bassett, who died in 1983, was a respected staff member and manager for the National Bank.

Deputy chief executive Steven Fyfe said the speech competition was something to honour a colleague. "[He] was a life-long and loyal staff member of the National Bank, and we wanted to honour him and ensure his incredible achievements endure in the collective memories of New Zealanders for the years to come.

"We believe his contribution at Gallipoli is one of the great untold stories of New Zealand heroism."

Dozens of Armistice Day ceremonies are being held today, including services at the Auckland War Memorial Museum and at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Wellington.