Aaron commemorates Battle of Messines

Flight sergeant cadet Aaron Mulligan, right, visits graves fallen from the Battle of Messines, alongside RSA representative Derek Nees.

A Rangitikei College student has travelled to Belgium to take part in the Battle of Messines centenary commemorations.

Flight sergeant cadet Aaron Mulligan, 16, went to Messines with the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) as one of three youth ambassadors chosen from the New Zealand Cadet Forces.

It was on the Western Front where New Zealand made its most significant contribution to World War I and suffered the greatest loss of life.

The two main commemorations in Belgium were the New Zealand National Commemorative Service to Mark the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Messines at Messines Ridge British Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery and a sunset ceremony at the New Zealand Battlefield Memorial in New Zealand Memorial Park.

Both were held on June 7.

The cadets had to write an essay detailing why they should be chosen to represent the youth of New Zealand as part of the contingent.

Aaron is familiar with such commemorations as the organiser of all the Anzac Day and Armistice Day parades at his school.

His continued diligence has been recognised by the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association (RNZRSA), with president BJ Clark awarding him an honorary youth membership, making him the youngest RNZRSA member.

Aaron joined the 32 Squadron Air Training Corps in Feilding four years ago after cadet forces visited his school.

"I know I want a career in the defence force. I'm just not sure yet whether it will be air force or army," he said.

As part of the NZDF contingent Aaron was to assist with wreath bearing and other ceremonial tasks during the commemorations.

He said he was looking forward to the experience.

"I want to learn as much as possible from the personnel on the trip and being around regular force personnel means I can see what I could achieve with a career in the defence force," he said.

While he doesn't have a family connection to the Messines battle he said he would be laying poppies on behalf of several Marton families as the contingent visited cemeteries in the Messines area.