World War I sacrifice remembered in silence

Whangarei RSA President D'Arcy Bailey speaks at the Armistice Day service at the Whangarei RSA. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Crowds gathered outside the Whangarei RSA yesterday to mark Armistice Day and remember the lives lost in World War 1.

November 11, 1918 at 11am - the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month - marked the moment when hostilities ceased on the Western Front.

More than 18,000 New Zealand men and women died in that war. Yesterday a service was held at the Whangarei RSA to commemorate the day - and all those who have died in wars - including a two-minute silence at 11am.

RSA members, war veterans and the public assembled on the grass outside to take part in the service. Whangarei RSA president Chris Harold said it was "a big thing" to recognise Armistice Day.

"I think WWI and WWII are both so important but I think WWI was just so devastating, so many lives were lost."

Next year's service will be held at the cenotaph's new location at Laurie Hall Park, a move Mr Harold is pleased about.

"The new monument will bring names that were missed [on the old one]. It's something to celebrate. All our services will take place there once it's established," he said.

The end of WWI wasn't the only occasion commemorated yesterday, another was the return of the flag pole to the RSA. The pole had stood at the front of the RSA since the Whangarei Bowling Club was established in 1946 and was recently sold as part of auctions organised by the club. In an act of kindness from RSA president D'Arcy Bailey, the flag pole was returned.

"They took it down and auctioned it off. With the help of the auctioneer I tracked down the person [who purchased it] and bought it off them and donated it to the club. It was a lovely way of giving back," he said.

Along with honouring the men who died in WWI, Mr Bailey's kindness was also recognised and he was presented with a small trophy of a flag pole.