Photos: Thousands turn out for Anzac Day dawn service in Napier

Thousands of people turned out for the Anzac Day dawn service in Napier. Photo / Paul Taylor

As the sun rose over Napier’s Soundshell during the Anzac Day dawn service, the crowds heard the stories of two fallen soldiers.

Thousands of people crowded around the venue off Marine Parade on Tuesday morning to show their respects during one of nine dawn services staged across Hawke’s Bay.

Minister for Veterans Meka Whaitiri shared the memory of Captain John Clark MacLean with the Napier crowd, while Napier RSA president John Percell referenced the “unknown warrior” buried at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington.

The New Zealand flag waves during the service. Photo / Paul Taylor

The service was a chance to remember those who have fallen for New Zealand. Photo / Paul Taylor

Whaitiri said Captain John Clark was a gallant and long-serving soldier from Napier who died at the end of World War I.

“Wounded many times, he was decorated with the Military Cross honours in December 1917 for detaching and pushing away a burning ammunition truck from the rest of the ammunition train while under enemy fire.

“And again in September 1918 for bringing in wounded [soldiers] for evacuation by light rail while under continuous shell fire.

The dawn service in Napier. Photo / Paul Taylor

Empty seats usually reserved for veterans. Photo / Paul Taylor

“Tragically in early 1919, and sadly after the war was over and while awaiting demobilisation in France, he passed away.”

Whaitiri, who gave an opening address in Gallipoli during Anzac Day last year, said it was now over a century since the end of World War I and almost 80 years since the end of World War II.

“The sacrifices made by New Zealanders in those conflicts, and more recent wars, does not diminish with the passing of time.”

Napier RSA president John Purcell addresses the crowds. Photo / Paul Taylor

Thousands gathered to pay their respects. Photo / Paul Taylor

Napier RSA president Percell also shared the story of the unknown warrior who was entombed in Wellington, and “is the foremost symbol of remembrance for all Kiwis who did not make the journey home”.

“We do not know where he was born, or precisely how or where he died.

“We do not know where in New Zealand he had made his home, or where he left it for the battlefields of Europe.

Many wore poppies as a sign of respect and rememberance. Photo / Paul Taylor

The crowds as the sun rose over the Soundshell on Tuesday. Photo / Paul Taylor

“We do not know his age or circumstance,” he said.

“We will never know who this New Zealander is. Yet he has always been amongst those we have honoured.

“We know he was one of the 18,000 New Zealanders who died at Gallipoli and on the Western Front, of the 100,000 New Zealanders who volunteered for service for the 1st World War.

The dawn service was a chance to pay respects and remember. Photo / Paul Taylor

The crowds braved a chilly morning in Napier. Photo / Paul Taylor

“He is all of them, and one of us.”

He said those who paid the ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten.

“At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them.”

Young people spoke about what Anzac Day meant to them at Havelock North’s 2023 Anzac Day Service, which was focused on the theme of “The Next Generation”.

Katie Jackson, a student of Woodford House, shared with attendees the story of Major General Sir Andrew Russell, who hailed from Hawke’s Bay, served in World War I and was Inspector General of New Zealand Military Forces during World War II.

Katie Jackson of Woodford House talks about what Anzac Day means to her. Photo / Warren Buckland

“During his service, he took command of the New Zealand and Australian Division at Gallipoli and commanded the New Zealand Division on the Western Front. He is a local hero, but not many people know who he is.” Jackson said.

Oliver Brown, a student of Havelock North High School, took note of how Anzac Day has expanded to also honour those who have served more recently.

Oliver Brown speaks on the meaning of Anzac to his generation and how it has evolved. Photo / Warren Buckland

“This shift is not only honouring and commemorating the valiant efforts of those earlier generations, but it is recognising the ones that followed,” Brown said.

Imogen Hosford, of Iona College, said that she and thousands of other rangatahi in Hawke’s Bay had never known the fear, pain and sacrifice of wartime thanks to the service of their grandparents and great-grandparents.

Imogen Hosford of Iona College remembers her own family member that served, along with all the others that did and still do today. Photo / Warren Buckland

“My great-grandfather Toby was one of many who served in the Second World War, as a young man enlisting from Dannevirke. While he rarely spoke of his time in Egypt, and subsequently Italy, we know that his wartime experiences bore deep significance to him and his whānau.”

Graham and Sharon Sparksman attended the service with Rosie, 10, and Willow, 8, who participated with the Havelock North Primary School Kapa Haka group.

Hundreds gathered around the cenotaph in the centre of Havelock North to remember for the Havelock North Citizen's Parade 2023 Anzac Day Service. Photo / Warren Buckland

Rosie said it felt “special” to remember those who fought for freedom.

Lachie McLean and Logan , both 10, attended the service with local Cub Scouts.

Susie Howard with her granddaughter Rose Lundberg, 13, both of Havelock North, laying a wreath at Tuesday's service. Photo / Warren Buckland

It was Logan’s first Anzac service with Cub Scouts after starting last year, while Lachie said he had done Cub Scouts for just over a year and this was his second Anzac Day with them.

They both said Anzac Day meant remembering the soldiers that fought during war and remembering those who sacrificed their lives.

Wreath laying at Havelock North on Tuesday morning during the Anzac service. Photo / Warren Buckland

Logan’s great-grandfather served during World War II, and he also has an uncle who served in East Timor.