Battle of Passchendaele’s 95th anniversary remembered at Auckland War Memorial Museum

A public ceremony to mark the 95th anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele will be held at Auckland War Memorial Museum this Friday, October 12, in the WWI Hall of Memories and Sanctuary starting at 11am.

Auckland War Memorial Museum Director Roy Clare says it is fitting that we continue to come together in remembrance of the heavy losses New Zealand suffered in the Battle of Passchendaele.

“Recent losses in Afghanistan have reminded us once again of the cost of war. Passchendaele continues to be one of New Zealand’s gravest military disasters with over 2700 New Zealand casualties and more than 800 deaths in a few short hours.”

“It is fitting that we continue to recall these losses and come together at this place of memorial to show our respect for the sacrifice these men made in the hopes of securing peace.”

The commemorative service to mark the 95th anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele is open to anyone wishing to attend.

Massey Professor Glyn Harper will give an address at the remembrance service marking the 95th anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele.

The ceremony will be held at the Auckland War Memorial Museum on Friday, October 12 in the WWI Hall of Memories and Sanctuary starting at 11am.

Professor Harper says the battle, on October 12 1917, remains our worst-ever military disaster.

“It was an attack that should never have gone ahead under the dreadful conditions then prevailing.”

His talk will focus on the tragic event and examine its human cost to New Zealand.

A second address will be given by Lt Col Christopher Powell ED, RNZIR, Commanding Officer, 3rd Auckland (Countess of Ranfurly’s Own) and Northland Battalion.

Military and civic dignitaries are attending the ceremony, organised by the Passchendaele Society to commemorate the First World War battle, and will take part in a wreath laying.

Winners of the Suburban Newspapers’ Passchendaele Tribute Competition will be asked to lay poppies. Members of the Public will be invited to lay floral tributes.

A full programme for the Battle of Passchendaele commemoration service is attached.

http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/1210/Passchendaele_programme_12Oct2012.pdf

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