A memorial service has marked 100 years since South Taranaki locals Michael and Richard Murphy were killed at Chunuk Bair.
Four Murphy brothers went to serve in World War I and only one returned to their parents, Patrick and Ellen Murphy.
Held at Meremere, inland from Mokoia, and attended by about 100 people, the service started with a welcome speech from South Taranaki mayor Ross Dunlop. Mr Dunlop also helped organise the event, which was fitting because his grandfather was brought up at Meremere, knew the Murphy family and also saw service in WWI.
Jacq Dwyer, a relative of the Murphys, told those at the service that when the event was being planned it was decided "whatever the weather it should be here at Meremere, in the school grounds they played in as children, beside the war memorial their parents stood by in 1922 when it was unveiled, and with all of you here today who will always hold these men in high regard".
The service was held on August 9 - exactly 100 years since Michael and Richard Murphy were killed at the battle of Chunuk Bair. "This story has been a big part of my family history - the four Murphy brothers who went to war and the tragic truth that three of them never returned," Ms Dwyer said.