Two events are being held in Palmerston North to commemorate the centenary of the WW1 Armistice of 11 November 1918.

A spectacular family-friendly event featuring guns from 16th Field Regiment of the Royal New Zealand Artillery is being held on Friday (9 November – 5.30pm) at the Awapuni Racecourse and Function Centre.

Live music including Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, will be performed by the New Zealand Army Band and Palmerston North Brass Band along with a Beating Retreat military parade. A flypast from RNZAF base Ohakea will also be a highlight of the event.

“I encourage everyone to come down to Awapuni Racecourse as it really will be an impressive sight. It’s a significant commemoration and being held at the Racecourse also recognises the crucial role this site played in the city’s military history,” says Mayor Grant Smith.

The Awapuni Racecourse is home to the medical memorial which marks the site of one of New Zealand’s largest training camps and the sole location for training the New Zealand Medical Corps staff during WW1.

The Beating Retreat is a military ceremony dating to 16th century England and was first used to recall nearby patrolling units to their castle. Originally it was known as watch setting and was initiated at sunset by the firing of a single round from the evening gun. This year it will be formed from the ranks of the Deployable Health Organisation from NZDF.

The 1812 Overture was written in 1880 by Russian composer Tchaikovsky. It commemorated Russia's defence of the motherland against Napoleon's invading army in 1812.

Due to the noise of the gunfire, neighbours of Awapuni Racecourse are being asked to ensure their animals are kept protected from the noise during the event.

The second commemorative event is the traditional Armistice Day service at the Cenotaph on 11 November starting with a performance at 10.45 am by the New Zealand Army Band prior to the 11am service. Public are welcome to attend the ceremony. Returned and serving personnel are requested to form up at the iSite at 10.50am.

Afterwards the Poppy Places streets of significance as part of the WW100 street-naming initiative will be recognised at 11.45am at the Palmerston North Conference and Function Centre.

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