Final Anzac service in uniform for long-serving navy officer Reece Golding

Three generations at Anzac Day: Garin Golding, Reece Golding, Cindy Cumming, and Max Cumming, 17. Photo / Andrew Warner.

This Anzac Day marked the final year in uniform for Royal New Zealand Navy Warrant Officer Reece Golding after more than five decades of service.

Golding was a navy officer for 56 years and fought in the Indonesian Confrontation between Indonesia and Malaysia on the island of Borneo from 1963 to 1966.

His Pingat Jasa Malaysia medal, among many others, was pinned proudly to his chest as he stood to honour fallen servicemen at the Mount Maunganui cenotaph yesterday. It was Golding's last Anzac day in uniform following a lifetime of service.

"The medals are significant, but it has been a life of service that has been special to me," Golding said.

But while it was time to hang up the uniform, Golding said he would never truly forget what it meant to wear it.

"For me, it is in the blood," he said. "It is an honourable and noble service."

Standing next to Golding was his son and fellow navy serviceman Garin Golding, who had flown up from Wellington to be with his father for the special dawn service.

"This is very important to me to have my son here," Golding said. "I am so proud of him."

As the sun rose, Golding remembered the last five Anzac services spent alongside his late father and World War II veteran James Golding who fought in the 26th Battalion of the New Zealand Military Forces.

"He spent about four years in the war," Golding said. "Being with him, that was most special to me."

The medals of his father were proudly worn by Golding's 17-year-old grandson Max Cumming.

Max's mother Cindy Cumming wore the medals of her uncles and aunts who fought in the Pacific War.

"There is a history of service," Reece said.

His son Garin had experienced that history firsthand as he was fortunate to follow in his great-grandfather's footsteps in Gallipoli.

"It is obviously quite emotional. Gallipoli is quite an awe-inspiring place where you are fronted with the reality of what encountered those young men when they hit the beach," he said.

"It was a bit of a journey of discovery of learning about my great-grandfather's service."

Garin Golding said he felt honoured to be standing alongside his father at his final Anzac Day.

"With a combined 80 odd years together of service I am quite proud every Anzac Day to remember the history that we have in our family," he said.

"It makes you reflect on everyone else who has served abroad and the wonderful job they do on behalf of the nation."