NZ's darkest day

Photos: Rosalie Liddle Crawford

Hauraki patriots will gather at the Cenotaph on Marine Parade for one of the last commemoration events for New Zealand's darkest day.

This year marks the 100-year anniversary of WW1 Battle of Passchendaele, where Tauranga has held special events from September 28- November 30 to remember the lives that have been changed forever.

In New Zealand 120,000 men enlisted in the NZ expeditionary force. Of the 103,000 who served overseas, 18,500 died and another 41,000 were wounded or fell ill.

From the 18,500 who died, 110 came from Tauranga and the Mount Maunganui area.

Today Hauraki patriots and the public will join together at the Passchendaele Memorial Service at the Mount Maunganui Cenotaph from 2pm-2.40pm.

The service will include a parade guard and flag party followed by an address, wreath laying, the Ode to the Fallen and the Last Post.

'The First World War was one of the most significant events of the 20th century, and had a deep and lingering impact on New Zealand society,” says Tauranga City Council.

'Nearly every New Zealand family was affected.”

Other Battle of Passchendaele events:

For Bravery in the Field Tauranga City Library, Research Collections Friday, September 29– Thursday, November 30 2017, open 7 days, library hours.

I Died in Hell, Passchendaele: From Tauranga to the Trenches exhibition Mount Maunganui RSA: Friday, 6 October – Sunday, October 15 Phoenix Carpark, Mount Maunganui Road: Monday, 16 October – Sunday, October 29 Outside Greerton Library: Monday, 30 October – Thursday, November 16 open 7 days, 9:30am – 3:30pm

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