The flag flies at Gordonton Cenotaph

The New Zealand flag flew at the Gordonton cenotaph on Anzac morning.

John Bridgman raised the flag at 7am with a few locals gathered around in the early morning mist – keeping their two-metre distance – reflecting on past sacrifices while a tui sang in the oak tree overhead.

 

 

 

 

John Bridgman told N8N that Bussy Harata Ngataki, who passed away last year, had a long association with Gordonton and Hukanui Marae.  “She suggested we should have a flag pole at the cenotaph.  So in her usual way she went about organising one. With the help of Bruce Smeardon on Garfield St who made the pole and others who supplied the materials, a flag pole was erected. Bussy was very good at persuading people to help out.  She was also very proud of her flag which she got from the $2 shop.

“Bussy and others would have been at the cenotaph early on Anzac morning to raise the flag. Thank you dear Bussy.”

Cilla Henry was also instrumental in getting local Anzac Day celebrations going again in Gordonton.

“We always celebrated Anzac in the Gordonton Hall when we were kids but it stopped after a few years.  I began putting flowers by the Cenotaph.  One day Bussy, who kept the area around the monument clean, went and got a flag from the $2 shop…”

 

 

 

 

This gorgeous Anzac wreath, below, was made for Saint Mary’s Church, by Sally-Ann Riddell.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And on our walk to the cenotaph we passed this –

 

 

 

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.