STREET MEMORIES: Hastings RSA patron Brian Bennett (fourth from left) speaking at the unveiling of the Selwyn Rd street sign and Anzac poppy in memory of Gallipoli victim Major Selwyn Chambers. PHOTO/WARREN BUCKLAND
A project to highlight every street in the Hastings-Napier area named after people who fought for New Zealand at war began in Havelock North yesterday, with the unveiling of a street sign bearing a poppy, in memory of Gallipoli victim Major Selwyn Chambers.
The sign at the intersection of Selwyn
Rd and Margaret Ave was unveiled by grandson Neil Chambers, great-grandson William and young great-great grandson Tom. The ceremony was attended by district Mayor Lawrence Yule, RSA representatives, MP for Tukituki Craig Foss, other descendants of the major, and children from Havelock North Primary School, gathering despite it still being the school holidays.
Major Chambers died during the Battle of Suvia Bay on August 7, 1915. He was born on Tauroa Station, and bought the 1215ha that became Kopanga. He had also been chairman of the Hawke's Bay Farmers Union.
More services will follow in a Places of Remembrance project.
On Friday, a sign will be unveiled in Russell St and a statue will be unveiled in Hastings' Civic Square, commemorating Napier-born Major General Sir Andrew Russell, who commanded New Zealand soldiers in England, Gallipoli, France and Belgium.
