Te Puke commemorations 'best town has ever held'

Parade commander Vic Mottram stands to attention as his squad of returned servicemen observe two minutes' silence to commemorate Armistice Day. Photo / Cameron Scott

Armistice Day commemorations in Te Puke were led by parade commander Vic Mottram, who described them as the best the RSA had held in the town.

Mr Mottram, who served with one NZ Regiment in Malaya in 1961 and 1963, said ex-servicemen attending the event represented several conflicts in which New Zealand's armed forces had participated, including World War II, Korea, Malaya and Vietnam. The commemoration, held outside the RSA clubrooms in Oxford St, was attended by about 24 returned servicemen as well as several women wearing the medals of family members who had fought in World War I. Two minutes' silence and the playing of the Last Post were followed by a flag ceremony and a recital of In Flanders Fields. After being raised for the Reveille, the flag was lowered again for a member of a prominent local family who died on Tuesday.