Crosses laid to honour Hawke's Bay soldiers

Lance Corporal Hannah Scott-Bennie and Ruahine Cadet Unit Captain Ross Unwin place the crosses at the Anzac sunset service in Waipukurau last night. Photo/ Paul Taylor.

White crosses for the Central Hawke's Bay soldiers who fell in 1917 were laid at a moving Anzac sunset service last night.

Crosses dedicated to 31 more men joined those soldiers who died in 1915 and 1916 at a cross-laying ceremony in Waipukurau which recognised the four years of World War I.

The sunset ceremony, which started back in 2015, takes place on April 24 each year at 5pm at the closing of the business day.

Waipukurau and Districts RSA president Janet Castell said they started doing the sunset service because they wanted people to realise the war wasn't all over at Gallipoli.

"For some reason, many people tend to think the soldiers died all at once in one year but of course that wasn't the case. Families were suffering each and every year of the war."

In 2015 the crosses of those who died in 1915 were placed and last year the crosses of those who died in 1916 were added.

"Next year the men will be joined by those who died in 1918. If we do it this way, year by year, people can recognise the war went on for four years and how many lives were lost."

Last night a set of brothers were placed and their other brother will be added next year.

"I think this hits home for people as they see the increase in the number of crosses every year," said Ms Castell.

This year the largest number of crosses were laid, with 31 soldiers from Central Hawke's Bay falling in 1917.

A biography was written about each of these men which included their parents' names, where they were living, when they went overseas, where they served and when they died.

Ms Castell said this brought the crosses to life and instead of just seeing a name on a grass plaque they turned into people.

"I think it makes it personal and moving. Some of the descendants of these soldiers read out the biographies which shows their families still live in the district."

Next year the crosses representing the soldiers who died in the last year of World War I will be added.

"I think laying the crosses year by year on the eve of Anzac Day brings it home for people so I want to continue doing this in some way."

The sunset service is followed by the dawn service at 5.45am today.