Anzac commemorations begin this Saturday

Etched on the walls of Auckland War Memorial Museum are the names of the fallen. The men who went to war and never came home to their mothers, their wives, their partners, their children. For every fallen soldier, though, there were the others who came home, without their Battalion members, their fellow soldiers, their friends. This War Memorial season at Auckland War Memorial Museum, we remember them all.

24 BATTALION ASSOCIATION HONOURS

This weekend we are hosting the 24 Battalion Association honours to acknowledge its members who, for 65 years, have continued to serve their families, their friends and their communities even after their immense contributions in the service of their country.
These honours include a Beat Retreat ceremony, Memorial Service and the Illuminate film, edited by renowned filmmaker Gaylene Preston, projecting archival film and stills of the 24 Battalion campaigns on to the northern façade of the Museum.
Read more here

ILLUMINATE: 24 BATTALION

Filmmaker Gaylene Preston was commissioned to edit a selection of archival footage telling the story of the 24 Battalion in WWII, as their post-war association draws to a close after 65 years.

With footage of the 24 NZ Infantry Battalion campaigns in Greece, North Africa and Italy and the faces of the men that fought for our freedom, this film recalls the sacrifices that were made and the bonds that were forged in war and, for many, lasted a lifetime.

The film will play continuously on Saturday and Sunday night from 6.30pm projected onto the front façade of the Museum.
View a sneak preview from the film (NZ Herald)

BEAT RETREAT: 24 BATTALION ASSOCIATION

In war, the beat retreat was the musical signal for the men to leave the battlefield – not in defeat or victory, but a signal that, at least for that day, the fighting was over.
On Saturday April 21 at 5pm the members of the 24 NZ Infantry Battalion Association will carry out their own beat retreat, signally that though the bonds forged in war will carry on, the Association is drawing to a close.

Saturday 21 April, 5pm
Cenotaph

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MEMORIAL SERVICE

This Memorial Service will commemorate those members of the 24 Battalion who sacrificed their lives, those who have since passed away and those who fought beside the fallen.
We also remember those who have continued to serve their families, their friends and their communities even after their immense contributions in the service of their country.

Sun 22 Apr, 10am
WWII Hall of Memories

Read more here

ANZAC DAY - WEDNESDAY 25 APRIL

Starting with the Dawn Service at 6am, Auckland War Memorial Museum will acknowledge Anzac Day with a full day of events.
Our knowledgeable guides are providing free 45-minute tours of the war memorial galleries throughout the day.
Film screenings take place at 8.30am & 2pm featuring films from Robyn Malcolm, Helen Pollock, Scott Ewing, David Blyth and Gaylene Preston, the Lest We Forget poetry competition readings and performances from the Andrews Sisters, Spoilers of Utopia Brass Band and the Auckland Youth Choir.

For more information and the full dawn & civic service programmes, download our 2012 Anzac Commemorations booklet.

Read more here

SIGN THE BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE

Our digital Book of Remembrance contains thousands of messages to those who served and died in war.

Post your message, prayer or poem for people around the world to read.

View the Book of Remembrance here

NEW ZEALANDERS ON THE FRONT: THREE DOCUMENTARIES

On Anzac day we will screen a number of documentaries by leading NZ film-makers.

In one, Our Lost War, actor Robyn Malcolm visits the towns of Passchendaele and Ypres in Belgium - both near the cemetery where her great uncle, Private George Salmond, is buried. Salmond, an ANZAC signaler, was among the 18,500 New Zealand casualties of World War I. He was killed in the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917, a victim of a battle recognised as a tragedy of poor planning and preparation.

Local war experts pay tribute to the New Zealand soldiers' mettle, and Malcolm looks at the site and reflects on Uncle George and his sacrifice on foreign whenua. View the film here (external link)

Wednesday 25 April, 8.30am – 10am and 2 – 3pm
Te Korowai Room

View the full schedule here

ENDS

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