It was on the battlefield in France that Reginald Stanley Judson became a hero.
The sergeant in the First Battalion, Auckland infantry regiment, was south of Bapaume in France on August 26, 1918, when he led a small bombing party under heavy fire and captured an enemy machine-gun.
He then proceeded up the sap alone, bombing three machine-gun crews.
Jumping out of the trench, he then ran ahead of the enemy and, standing on a parapet, ordered a group of two officers and 10 men to surrender.
They immediately opened fire and he threw a bomb and jumped among them, killing two and putting the rest to flight, and capturing two more machine-guns.
His heroic deeds earned him New Zealand's coveted Victoria Cross and later a knighthood.
Sergeant Judson's war story was yesterday recounted by Theresa Judson-Kumeroa at Te Puke's Anzac Day civic service.
The town's War Memorial Hall was packed with about 500 seated and dozens more standing outside for what was one of the biggest services in recent years.
Theresa, head girl at Te Puke High School, spoke about her great-great grandfather from her mother's side of the family.
Sergeant Judson, who served in both world wars and also won the Distinguished Conduct Medal and Military Medal, was one of the lucky ones.
"He was lucky enough to return safely to New Zealand and live in peace, to enjoy what he fought for.
"If it weren't for his determination to survive and protect his beautiful country neither my family nor I would be here today, for that I am grateful and proud to be a descendant of such a dedicated Anzac."
There was a time, however, when criminals cast a shadow over his war service.
His VC medal was among those stolen from Waiouru in 2007 and the family were grateful when it was returned. Older people at yesterday's service commented afterwards that hearing such a story from a young person made them believe that marking Anzac Day is a tradition that will continue for years.
At yesterday's mid-morning service, the traditional parade, from opposite the post office, marched to the solemn beat of drums lead by about 30 local RSA members.
Others included serving soldiers, sailors, uniformed police, fire officers, St John ambulance adults and cadets, Red Cross volunteers, children and teachers from several schools, guide and scout troops.
Many wreaths were laid during the official ceremony and scores of residents also put their poppies on the cenotaph beside the hall.
The Australian element of this year's Anzac service was acknowledged with the attendance of two family members of a soldier, whose name appeared in a new World War I roll of honour unveiled as part of the ceremony.
Lorna Sommerfeldt, from Brisbane, and her nephew Mike O'Sullivan, from Sydney, came to pay tribute to Lorna's father's brother George Scott, who died after he was evacuated from Gallipoli.
Several families had travelled especially to see their relative's name among 72 on the new roll.
A guest speaker at the service was the woman instrumental in having the new 120kg memorial compiled, local genealogical researcher Christine Clement.