Hamilton hero in brass

Sapper Horace Moore-Jones will stand in a statue form, created by defence artist Captain Matt Gauldie (pictured), as part of a project He Tangata by TOTI (Theatre of the Impossible Trust).

Hamilton's historic hero and first art master at Hamilton High School is about to take brass form on Victoria St.

Sapper Horace Moore-Jones will stand in a statue form, created by defence artist Captain Matt Gauldie, as part of a project He Tangata by TOTI (Theatre of the Impossible Trust).

He Tangata, a Maori expression, refers to people as the most important thing in the world.

The project commemorates the 150th anniversary of Hamilton City's military settlement during the Waikato war, as well as the centennial of World War 1, the Gallipoli campaign and the origins of Anzac Day and will feature people from history, those important in crafting Hamilton.

Moore-Jones helped save the lives of many in the 1922 Hamilton Hotel fire, returning to the building twice to rescue people. He later died from the burns he received that day. His statue follows the renaming of Marlborough Place to Sapper Moore-Jones Place last year, in a bid to bring his memory alive in Hamilton.

"In many cases, many of these people have become almost invisible," said Margaret Evans, a TOTI board member.

"His name hasn't been remembered by many people but his painting has, and almost everybody knows when we ask them about the man and the donkey, which is the painting showing a soldier with a donkey carrying a wounded soldier across the rocky slopes of Gallipoli."

As an artist, Moore-Jones was recruited at Gallipoli as a map maker, returning to New Zealand when he was wounded. In 1917, he toured the country with his paintings, giving people at home an idea what it was like at war.

"His was the first voice and first visual for many of the families whose chaps were still overseas. They were able to hear first hand from him and he became a national celebrity because he spoke the truth."

The statue will be installed in the central median strip of Victoria St opposite Sapper Moore-Jones Place, looking over the Hamilton Hotel site.

It will feature a viewing lens, a computerised facility allowing images to change, showing Moore-Jones' paintings of his time in Gallipoli.

"[The Moore-Jones family is] blown away. There had been attempts to get Moore-Jones recognised at the time of his death and there was criticism there hadn't been a state funeral.

"We've rescued a hero that really might have become invisible.

"It certainly captures the imagination of a lot of people and now we are able to fundraise it has been great."

The statue will cost more than $100,000 and will be able to withstand the elements.