The NZ High Commission representatives
Students from opposite sides of the world joined together to remember the fallen of the First World War in the run up to Anzac Day.
Pupils from Twynhams School in Christchurch and St Andrew’s College in Christchurch New Zealand, visited First World War sites in Brockenhurst associated with the Anzac (Australia New Zealand Army Corps). Anzac Day, 25 April, was also the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings.
Brockenhurst was a hospital village for most of the war, initially for Indian soldiers and then New Zealanders. Number 1 New Zealand General Hospital, known as ‘Tin Town’ was located on the site of what is now Hampshire County Council’s Tile Barn Centre.
The students on the staircase of the Balmer Lawn Hotel which was part of the part of the Hospital complex nearly 100 years ago
The students from the twinned towns were joined by Robert Taylor, Deputy NZ High Commissioner and Lieutenant Colonel Mike Beale, Military Adviser.
They visited the hospital and Gallipoli display boards in St Nicholas’ Church then moved to the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery while the number 4 bell, presented by the New Zealanders after the war, was tolled 93 times, once for each of the New Zealanders buried there. A short service of commemoration conducted by the Rev Alan Graham, included a talk by the College Rector, Christine Leighton and the laying of wreaths by two of the students and the High Commission representatives. The New Zealand National Anthem was sung in both Maori and English.
