Air Force Bugler To Play At Gallipoli

New Zealand Defence Force
Te Ope Kaatua O Aotearoa

Media Release

20 April 2010

Air Force Bugler To Play At Gallipoli

This year marks the 95th Anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli by Australian and New Zealand troops – and in a few days, one Browns Bay local will be retracing the steps of those troops to pay a very special tribute to those who served and fell.

Sergeant Kerry Robertson has been a member of RNZAF Base Auckland Band for the past 16 years, and has now been selected for the New Zealand Defence Force Band that will perform at the Anzac Services at Gallipoli this year.

The RNZAF operates four bands, based through the country. Like most band members, Kerry is a part-time reserve so he’ll be taking time off from his day job as a Technical Service engineer with 3M NZ Ltd and saying goodbye to his young family for the 12 day trip to Turkey.

“There are around 300 Defence Force musicians in the country,” says Kerry, “and only 11 are selected to take part in the Gallipoli services. The importance of this occasion is definitely not lost on me – and to be given the responsibility of NZDF Bugler is a real honour.”

Kerry will be performing the Last Post and Rouse for the Joint Australian/New Zealand Dawn Service at Anzac Cove, and then again for the New Zealand Service at Chunuk Bair later that day.

And while SGT Robertson is en route to Turkey, the rest of RNZAF Base Auckland Band will be preparing for their own Anzac homage. The Base Band is performing an Anzac Tribute concert at Centrestage Theatre in Orewa on Saturday 24th April. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and children, and are available from the Box Office.

ENDS

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