Soldiers old & young at Raetihi service

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 533, 26 April 1994, Page 1

Soldiers old & young at Raetihi service

The 79th Anniversary of Gallipoli was commemorated by the staff and pupils of Raetihi School at a flag-raising ceremony held at the school last Friday. Three members of the Waimarino RSA and two army representatives were on hand for the service. Raetihi Principal Grant Fountain introduced war veterans Laurie Birchall, Ian Stewart and Ray Littlewood (an ex-pupil who attended the school 75 years earlier), before the traditional prayer was recited and a recording of 'The Last Post' played. Army Training Group soldiers Sergeant Major John Dunbar and

Sergeant Tim Whitten, one dressed in traditional World War I uniforms and complete with weapons from the period, and one in modern kit with modern weapons, drew much interest when pupils were given the opportunity to inspect the guns at close range. ANZAC Day services were held yesterday around the district, including the usual dawn parade at Raetihi, the civic parade at Ohakune, the usual parades at Waiouru plus a special one marking the laying of the foundation stone at the Kippenberger Pavillion at the QEII Army Memorial Museum.