Major (Retired) Ra Koia Chp C13 was a guest speaker.
A former Lytton High School student, he spoke of the time he spent in the region.
“It is such a privilege to be the guest speaker today at the Anzac Day service because we are in Gisborne, where a lot of my formative learning education, although I did not do very well at school, took place.
“And our whānau, my mum and dad, Rev Raharuhi Thomas (Ra Snr) and Naomi Harata, were ministers here of the Presbyterian church.”
Major Koia said he wanted to specially acknowledge the unsung heroes of the war — “army chaplains”, those men of faith and courage who accompanied the soldiers to death or glory on the battlefield.
“The first army chaplain who died in World War 1 at Gallipoli was Major Chaplain William Grant. He was appointed presbyterian chaplain for the main body of the expeditionary force.
“They landed in Gallipoli in 1915 and under heavy fire Major Chaplain Grant remained with his troops and carried food, provisions and water to the Kiwi soldiers in the trenches.
“He retrieved those who were wounded and comforted the struggling, held regular Sunday and Holy Communion services.
“He gave each dead soldier a decent burial, sometimes under enemy rounds and with mortars (landing) nearby.
“Some of those who were killed were known by chaplain Grant because they were from here, Gisborne.
“Men like Jim Foresight and Earnest Stewart.
“Chaplain Grant died instantly from a fatal shot to the neck while retrieving Kiwi soldiers wounded and killed in the trenches.
“He was later buried by another army chaplain in Gallipoli.
“Chaplain Grant, before he went to Gallipoli, was a minister at St Andrew’s Church in Gisborne.”
Major Koia said while remembering the dead, it was equally important to remember the living. Veterans who returned home “often carrying unseen mental scars” from the trauma they experienced.
“We also need to acknowledge the service of people today, those who are currently serving in our defence force and their families.”
Mayor Rehette Stoltz extended a warm welcome to Lieutenant Jenny Greenfield of the Royal Navy who attended the service on behalf of the British High Commission.
“As a nation we look back on two years of coming to terms with the reality of Covid-19,” Mayor Stoltz said.
“Today we remember the brave men and women who have served our country in conflicts around the world — especially those who have sacrificed their lives in the name of peace and freedom.
“We reflect on the profound meaning of that service and sacrifice for generations of New Zealanders.
“We also reflect on the recent invasion of Ukraine. The events in Ukraine have been shocking, sad and distressing.
“For those who have experienced war in the past, this is surely the grim reminder of the devastation it can bring.
“We think of those in our community who have experienced war and conflict, those whose lives have been lost — our veterans, our armed services personnel, families of the fallen, as well as our refugee communities.
“We acknowledge the tragedy of each and every life lost as a result of service overseas.
“We also remember those who were injured and returned home after serving us bravely and also those who serve us even today.”
Tairawhiti police commander Inspector Sam Aberahama said the service was a fantastic opportunity for his team to come together in support of Anzac Day.
“I was really pleased to be a part of it all again.
“Every year we come to the Anzac Day service . . . it wasn’t held last year but this year we had about 25 of our team members join in.”
Youth MP (for Elizabeth kerekere) Rihari Campbell said the service was a way to honour veterans, especially “our C Company soldiers all over the East Coast”.
Youth MP (for kiri Allan) Sumita Singh said the commemoration allowed people to come together and acknowledge “everyone who served us in war — those who lived and those who passed away”.
Veteran Ben Green said the turnout showed people understood the significance of the day, “which for veterans and their families is an important thing”.
