1000 strong crowd take part in Raglan ANZAC Service

Raglan children taking advantage of the giant pohutukawa in Bow Street to get a good view of the ANZAC Service

A crowd of about 1000 people took part in Raglan’s ANZAC Service this morning.  The Parade formed at the corner of Bow Street and Wainui Road at 10.50am and was led by two riders on horseback and a red cross donkey, followed by the Pipe Band.  Next came the veterans, members of 161 Battery and the Navy followed by local services.

Raglan RSA President, Andy Millar opened the service before handing over to Sean Ellison.  The head boy and head girl from from Raglan Area School gave the address.  The hymn was ‘Au, E Ihi’ (28 Maori Battalion Hymn) led by Sean and his choir.    The wreath laying came next with many local groups laying memorials.

Head girl and head boy from Raglan Area School

The cadets then took the Last Post with the sound of shots from a 161 battery field gun on time.  Then the National Anthem was sung in Maori and then English.  And finally the Parade marched off to the Raglan Club.

Video clip of singing the National Anthem, God Defend New Zealand.

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Later in the day the theft of a flag from Raglan Museum’s ANZAC exhibition put a dampener on the day.

NZ Army’s 161st Battery ready for action on the shores of Raglan Habour

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