WWI cross project on target

Work has started on a project to build hundreds of white crosses to honour Wairarapa's fallen soldiers of World War I.

Men's Shed members from around the district were busy making the crosses yesterday at Henley Men's Shed in Masterton.

"Over 200 were made; 560 is the target," said John Bush, Henley Men's Shed coordinator.

He said at the last count, the names of 544 soldiers had been identified by Wairarapa Archive but they were making more crosses in case further names were discovered.

The project, driven by the RSA and the three district councils, but involving many others, aims to erect a cross for each soldier who paid the ultimate price during the 1914-18 conflict in each of the Wairarapa towns.

The crosses will bear the dead soldier's name, regimental number, rank and decorations awarded.

Mr Bush said two or three more working bees would be held to complete the project in time for Anzac Day commemorations next year in Wairarapa.

It will be up to each town in the district to decide when and where the crosses will be erected with the likelihood they will be put in place just before Anzac Day and remain for several days afterwards.

Kiwi Lumber donated the wood and Resene gave the paint.

The project is a nationwide initiative by the Fields of Remembrance Trust and Whangarei was the first cab off the rank with its planning.

Overall commemorations of the outbreak of World War I, which began in August, 1914, include plans to stage re-enactments of the first soldiers leaving Masterton Railway Station to go off to war and perhaps of soldiers marching over the Rimutaka Hill Road to Trentham military camp before sailing overseas.