White crosses placed in memory of war dead

Barbara Elmes at Waipu's WWI memorial service in the town on Tuesday. Photo / John Stone

More than two dozen white crosses were placed in three neat rows at Waipu's war memorial in memory of the 25 local people killed during World War I.

Waipu RSA held the memorial service on Tuesday to mark the declaration of the start of the war, 100 years ago on August 4.

The 10-minute service below the town monument consisted of a speech by Waipu RSA president David Wistrand, a prayer and a lament on the bagpipes.

Mr Wistrand said the RSA wished to recognise the people who served before them.

"It's commemorating the declaration of the start of World War I."

He said the Waipu Museum and the RSA have produced a series of storyboards around town providing glimpses of people and their families at the time war broke out and what happened.

Next year Waipu RSA will focus on commemorating the 100-year anniversary of the landing in Gallipoli on ANZAC Day (April 25).

President of the Women's Section at Waipu RSA Barbara Elmes said: "The reason the Women's Section started was so when the guys were away at war, the women could get together and knit socks and things for the soldiers serving overseas."