Thousands gather to pay respects at Whanganui Anzac Day service

The return of the Anzac Day service in Whanganui on Sunday saw thousands pour into the War Memorial Centre forecourt. Photo / Ethan Griffiths

Thousands of people poured into Whanganui's War Memorial Hall forecourt early on Sunday morning to pay their respects to servicemen and women who sacrificed their life for their country.

Whanganui's Anzac Day service, first held in the city in 1935, is one of the longest-running in the country.

The service, led by Rev Rosemary Anderson, made a welcome return this year after last year's events had to be cancelled because of the Covid-19 lockdown.

About 6000 people turned out for the dawn parade and service.

Beginning with the Australian and New Zealand national anthems, the gathering then heard from Whanganui Collegiate head girl Mia Perkins, who delivered a rousing speech that resulted in applause from the crowd.

Perkins told the crowd she was humbled to have been asked to deliver the speech, but wasn't exactly sure what to say.

"What could I possibly say in a few minutes that could ease the pain of having lost loved ones, or talk of the hardship of war having myself lived a privileged life? The truth is, I cannot.

"But what I can do, what we can all do, is honour and remember the lives of those before us, and pass them on to the lives in front of us."

A member of Air Training Corps No 9 Squadron Whanganui lays a wreath at the Whanganui War Memorial. Photo / Lewis Gardner

Wreaths were laid by multiple community groups as well as local MPs Steph Lewis and Adrian Rurawhe, mayor Hamish McDouall and local schools.

The ode of remembrance, an excerpt from Laurence Binyon's famous poem For the Fallen, was then read in English and te reo Māori before the Last Post was played as the Australian and New Zealand flags were lowered.

Assisting with the service was a large presence of young Whanganui cadets, including the Whanganui Army Cadet Unit, Air Training Corps No 9 Squadron and the Whanganui Sea Cadets.

After the ceremony, about 250 people made the short walk to Club Metro in Ridgway St for the Anzac Day tradition of rum and coffee, as well as breakfast.

RSA Welfare Trust President Major Rod Hart (Ret.) explained the significance of rum and coffee on Anzac Day. Photo / Lewis Gardner

RSA Welfare Trust president and Club Metro manager Major Rod Hart (Ret.) said the tradition of rum and coffee spanned back to the days of conflict on the Western Front, when soldiers had to work out a method of drinking while staying warm.

"It's called gunfire, and I believe it originates on the Western Front. Every Anzac day it's tradition to have a cup," Hart said.

"You'd never have rum in your coffee any other day of the year."

This year marks the first in recent times that the after-service meal was served at Club Metro rather than in the War Memorial Centre. Hart said this was a result of declining numbers of volunteers, with the club seen as the next best place for the gathering.

"It's logistics. We used to have a lot of helpers in the RSA but, as you'd appreciate, we're getting thinner and thinner on the ground. It just seems logical to bring it back to the RSA."

But the change in venue didn't seem to faze many, with a large crowd enjoying the atmosphere of the breakfast.

Paul Aubrey, 94, who served in Korea assisting with transport and logistics, was pleased to be attending an Anzac Day service after missing out last year.

Korea veteran Paul Aubrey, 94, said he was pleased to attend another Anzac Day service. Photo / Lewis Gardner

"It's a day of remembrance. It's important," Aubrey said.

"I've come to every Anzac Service since [I served]."

Whanganui mayor Hamish McDouall, who was at the breakfast enjoying a cup of gunfire, said it was special to be back together as a community after the Anzac commemorations of 2020 where people stood on the street in front of their property.

"I think there was a beauty in the simplicity about what we did last year, but it's great to be together again," McDouall said.

He said he was thrilled to see the number of young children at the service this year, many of whom laid wreaths on behalf of their schools.

"For kids who are 9 or 10 to start appreciating the history of the day is really special."