Huge crowd at 100 year ANZAC commemoration in Raglan

There was a huge crowd of over 2000 people at the ANZAC Day 100 year commemorative parade and service for a beautiful fine day in Raglan this morning. The crowd lined Bow St to take part in the 11am service. 161 battery, the NZ Army unit with Freedom of the City of Raglan was in town for ANZAC Day.

The Parade formed in Wainui Road marching along Wainui Rd then round into Bow St. It was led by a large contingent from the Raglan Highland Pipe Band. A Red Cross donkey followed along with two soldiers on horse and next came the veterans, the Army, Navy and Air force followed by the local services, groups and schools.

Raglan RSA President, Colin Hodkinson, opened the service welcoming Ward Councillor Clint Baddeley and RCB Chair Alan Vink. He went on to recall many past conflicts before handing over to the two ministers. Sean Ellison took the Maori parts of the service saying this was a day to remember the landing at Gallipoli, 100 years ago. Kathleen Gavin from the Anglican Church took the English parts of the service. Rylee King, Head Girl at Raglan Area School, recalled her grandfather’s time as a paratrooper in Malaya during the 1950s. Head Boy Rhys Daysh asked the assembly to recall some Raglan Area School students, reading a list of some of the names. The wreath laying came next with many local groups laying memorials.

Colin Hodkinson and the cadets from Fraser High School then took the Last Post. The tradition of singing both Advance Australia Fair and God Defend New Zealand in Maori and then English was continued. Wheather by accident or design the parade ended with a flyover by a light aircraft. And finally the Parade marched off to the Raglan Club to a morning tea sponsored by the Raglan Community Board.

The Raglan Museum then opened with a free entry community open day to allow people to visit the Raglan Remembers World War One exhibition that opened last Saturday.

The parade arrives