Anzac Day in Tararua’s Wimbledon community marks 100 years of the local WWI memorial

The Wimbledon WWI Memorial is celebrating 100 years since its construction, with an information board to be unveiled on Anzac Day. Photo / Brian Hales

Anzac Day in the Tararua community of Wimbledon will be extra special this year with the World War I memorial – a stone pyramid – turning 100.

An information board is to be unveiled as part of the commemoration.

The board was paid for by a grant from the Tararua District Council, and names the 16 men who served between 1914 and 1918, with rank and service number.

It also includes photos of the five men who lost their lives and the location of their graves.

Anzac Day service co-ordinator Brian Hales said the “eye-catching” memorial was built from 1925 to 1926 on part of the Wimbledon School grounds with stones sourced from Cape Turnagain.

“Due to their tightly cemented nature and the scarcity of hard, durable rocks in the Wimbledon-Herbertville area, these stones were a natural and practical choice for the memorial.

“Over time, these rocks have tumbled through sand and surf, gradually forming the smooth, rounded shapes seen in the memorial today.”

To establish the structure’s shape, a vertical pole was erected at the centre, and three ropes were tied from its top to the ground, marking the corners of a triangular pyramid.

Each face of the triangle holds symbolic meaning.

• The triangle facing the morning sun honours those who fell.
• The side facing the midday sun pays tribute to those who served.
• The triangle facing the dark side serves as a reminder of the shadow and cost of war.

The memorial was officially unveiled in 1926 by Sir Alfred Ransom, the Deputy Prime Minister at the time.

Tararua District Mayor Scott Gilmore acknowledged the “incredible work” of local RSAs (Returned and Services Associations) in bringing communities together for services across the district.

“Anzac Day remains a powerful reminder of service, sacrifice, and the enduring spirit of our communities.

“It is a time to reflect not only on our past, but also on the values we carry forward.”

Gilmore said elected members would attend commemorations across the district.

Michaela Gower joined Hawke’s Bay Today in 2023 and is based out of the Hastings newsroom. She covers Dannevirke and Hawke’s Bay news and loves sharing stories about farming and rural communities.