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The return of New Zealand servicemen to New Zealand was a source of great joy for many families after the overseas trials of the First World War. Sometimes, they did not return alone. On 23 April 1919, just shy of Anzac Day, the troopship Ionic arrived in Auckland harbour to a large crowd. On board were 49 officers, 18 nursing sisters, 644 other ranks (including the whole New Zealand Tunnelling Company), 168 newly wed soldier’s wives and 51 children and babies. Unusually, the contingent was greeted by an aeroplane of the New Zealand Flying School, which had trained pilots at Kohimarama during the war. It dropped confetti, messages of welcome, lollies (sweets) and messages of welcome, especially for the war brides. In our archives one of the messages dropped survives with an associated news clipping. It was written by Auckland mayoress, Lady Jesse Gunson on behalf of the Young Women’s Christian Association of Auckland, offering welcome and assistance at their Auckland branch. It was written on New Zealand Flying School notepaper and attached to a bag of lollies. The Taranaki Herald reported the arrival of the Ionic - Back From The War: “The batch of bonny English girls who have come to New Zealand as the wives of soldiers created a very favourable impression, and the spectacle of many of the “Diggers” proudly carrying babies in their arms fired the enthusiasm of the waiting crowd. The young wives were quickly made to feel that they were truly welcome”.
Item 1: Note from the mayoress of Auckland welcoming British war brides to New Zealand, dropped by aeroplane on HMT Ionic on 23 April 1919. 2022/128.1 Item 2: Newspaper cutting with a photograph of the aeroplane flying over the HMT Ionic, Auckland, 23 April 1919. 2022/128.2
More than 1300 people attended our Anzac Service today, and we have a long list of thank yous for those who took part and made it a wonderful commemoration on this special day. We'd like to thank Chaplain Ken Diekema, Phillipa from iSignDeaf Aotearoa, Cadet Flight Sergeant Duncan Trentelman of No. 17 Squadron, Air Commodore Andy Woods Chief of Staff NZDF, Dr Megan Woods MP, Cr Mark Peters, The Salvation Army Band, Girls Choir Ōtautahi, Air Cadets and our friends at No. 5 Squadron for the flypast.
Flypast of No. 5 Squadron P-8A Poseidon - directly over the Air Force Museum of New Zealand to commemorate Anzac Day 2024. What a great way to salute the thousands who have given their lives for us. We thank all who have served, both past and present, in our Air Force and the wider NZ Defence Force. Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou. We will remember them. #anzacday2024#canterburyplanespotters... See MoreSee Less
E kore rātou e kaumātuatia Pēnei i a tātou kua mahue nei E kore hoki rātou e ngoikore Ahakoa pehea i ngā āhuatanga o te wā I te hekenga atu o te rā Tae noa ki te aranga mai i te ata Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou. Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou. They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, We will remember them. We will remember them. #anzacday#anzacday2024... See MoreSee Less
Visited the graves of four fallen airmen at our local church. St Andrew’s Church, Tangmere to pay our respects
Hugh Kendrick Arthur Drummond
Clifford Barton
Philip Shaw Smith
Wilton McBride Sage
I’m the support manager for Tangmere Military Aviation Museum and I was joined by one of our volunteers early this morning UK
The return of New Zealand servicemen to New Zealand was a source of great joy for many families after the overseas trials of the First World War. Sometimes, they did not return alone.
On 23 April 1919, just shy of Anzac Day, the troopship Ionic arrived in Auckland harbour to a large crowd. On board were 49 officers, 18 nursing sisters, 644 other ranks (including the whole New Zealand Tunnelling Company), 168 newly wed soldier’s wives and 51 children and babies.
Unusually, the contingent was greeted by an aeroplane of the New Zealand Flying School, which had trained pilots at Kohimarama during the war. It dropped confetti, messages of welcome, lollies (sweets) and messages of welcome, especially for the war brides.
In our archives one of the messages dropped survives with an associated news clipping. It was written by Auckland mayoress, Lady Jesse Gunson on behalf of the Young Women’s Christian Association of Auckland, offering welcome and assistance at their Auckland branch. It was written on New Zealand Flying School notepaper and attached to a bag of lollies.
The Taranaki Herald reported the arrival of the Ionic - Back From The War:
“The batch of bonny English girls who have come to New Zealand as the wives of soldiers created a very favourable impression, and the spectacle of many of the “Diggers” proudly carrying babies in their arms fired the enthusiasm of the waiting crowd. The young wives were quickly made to feel that they were truly welcome”.
Item 1: Note from the mayoress of Auckland welcoming British war brides to New Zealand, dropped by aeroplane on HMT Ionic on 23 April 1919. 2022/128.1
Item 2: Newspaper cutting with a photograph of the aeroplane flying over the HMT Ionic, Auckland, 23 April 1919. 2022/128.2
#anzacday ... See MoreSee Less
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More than 1300 people attended our Anzac Service today, and we have a long list of thank yous for those who took part and made it a wonderful commemoration on this special day.
We'd like to thank Chaplain Ken Diekema, Phillipa from iSignDeaf Aotearoa, Cadet Flight Sergeant Duncan Trentelman of No. 17 Squadron, Air Commodore Andy Woods Chief of Staff NZDF, Dr Megan Woods MP, Cr Mark Peters, The Salvation Army Band, Girls Choir Ōtautahi, Air Cadets and our friends at No. 5 Squadron for the flypast.
Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou.
We will remember th#anzacday2024y#girlschoirotautahiu#salvationarmyn#no5squadrona#NZDF#NZDF ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Really enjoyed the ANZAC service at the Airforce Muesum. Thank you to the CHCH City Salvation Army Band for their big contribution to the service.
Flypast of No. 5 Squadron P-8A Poseidon - directly over the Air Force Museum of New Zealand to commemorate Anzac Day 2024.
What a great way to salute the thousands who have given their lives for us.
We thank all who have served, both past and present, in our Air Force and the wider NZ Defence Force.
Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou.
We will remember them.
#anzacday2024 #canterburyplanespotters ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Great video Rob Palmer
Looked great from the control tower.
Great service and that flypast was awesome!❤
Brilliant aircraft.
Thank you for the flyover at Edgecumbe, BOP. Beautiful
Loved the Anzac commemoration at Wigram today. Well done one and all.
I am asuming the wind was too puffy here in Dunedin for our scheduled flypast. Pitty, my wait continues.
I was there at the Auckland Domain and the fly past was the cherry on top, to commemorate the Anzac service. 💯😎
Thank s for the fly past in Christchurch ✈️
Forever miss the UH-1H Iroquois sound of the flyby but P8 is equally good
Still waiting to see it over Blenheim.
Awesome
Raye Conroy did u see it ?
Gary Thornley Elvy Thornley
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NZ2504 - Anzac Day 2024
E kore rātou e kaumātuatia
Pēnei i a tātou kua mahue nei
E kore hoki rātou e ngoikore
Ahakoa pehea i ngā āhuatanga o te wā
I te hekenga atu o te rā
Tae noa ki te aranga mai i te ata
Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou.
Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,
We will remember them.
We will remember them.
#anzacday #anzacday2024 ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
That is wonderful - thank you!
Visited the graves of four fallen airmen at our local church. St Andrew’s Church, Tangmere to pay our respects Hugh Kendrick Arthur Drummond Clifford Barton Philip Shaw Smith Wilton McBride Sage I’m the support manager for Tangmere Military Aviation Museum and I was joined by one of our volunteers early this morning UK