ANZAC Day

ANZAC Day is a day of commemoration for service personnel who have given their lives in the service of their country. Although it is a national holiday in New Zealand, serving personnel of the Armed Forces recognise this occasion by participating in ANZAC Day activities. This year, the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) will provide representation at ANZAC Parades up and down the country and in Australia.

Devonport Naval Base personnel will attend a large number of Royal New Zealand Returned Services Associations (RNZRSA’s) parades, including Auckland War Memorial, Devonport, Takapuna and Waikumete Cemetery.

A Catafalque guard and members of the Ex-LEANDER Association will hold a ceremony at the grave of the “Unknown LEANDER” at Waikumete Cemetery. The grave holds the mortal remains of those members of the Ship’s Company who were trapped in the boiler room when HMNZS LEANDER was hit by a Japanese torpedo at the battle of Kolombangara on 13 July 1943. Their bodies were not recovered until the ship’s return to Devonport some months later, by which time they were unidentifiable.

Rear Admiral Peter McHaffie, OBE, Chief of Navy says service personnel by their presence and participation at ANZAC Day Parades play a vital role in commemorating all those service men and women who gave their lives in the service of our country.

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