Aircraftsman Mark McRobbie will wear the 13 war medals of his two great-grandfathers and great-aunt when he represents the Royal New Zealand Air Force at Gallipoli on April 25.
But yesterday, the 21-year-old Air Force armament mechanic was showing them to pupils at his former primary school at Omakere for an early Anzac Day commemoration.
Mr McRobbie, from Auckland's Whenuapai air base, was on leave at his parents' home "just around the corner" from the school, and scheduled to leave for Turkey on April 17.
He spoke to the school's 30-odd students about his three years in the air force, upcoming trip and fielded questions about the size of bombs.
Mr McRobbie expected Anzac Day services at Gallipoli to have a more sombre tone and said the service would also resonate on a personal level.
"My great-grandfather Charles Booker fought in the campaign. It's a chance to go over there and pay my respects to my great-grandfather and everyone who fought alongside them and what they were fighting for. It means something to me, that our ancestors fought for our freedom and some of them lost their lives."
He would also remember his great-grandfather George McRobbie who served in Egypt and his great-aunt Eva Mackay who served as a nurse.
Servicemen from Waipawa Districts RSA also attended the school's commemoration service. They shared their stories as a seasick minesweeper in Auckland Harbour, a prisoner of war, a paratrooper in the Far East, of compulsory military training and war time in the Pacific.
Waipawa servicemen visited local schools every year for Anzac services.
Jack McLeary had been involved for about 15 years. "I think [the children] need to know what's happened and that there's no joy in war."
Wally Malcolm shared his sentiments. He told the students: "War's a horrible thing. And the stupidity of it. When I was captured, we were stripped of our weapons. You go into a room with these Germans and they bring out their cigarettes and photos of their wives and girlfriends. They're the same as you and if you've got any sense, you'd say 'what are we doing here?'. They're just the same as us."
Anzac Day memorials began early this year due to the timing of school holidays. Mr McRobbie lowered the school's New Zealand flag while pupils read the poem In Flanders Field and observed a minute's silence.
Waipawa Districts RSA president Maitland Manning said interest in Anzac services was growing among young people.
He estimated about 400 people attended Otane's dawn service last year, compared to about 80 a few years ago.
Tales of heroes and medals
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