“LEST WE FORGET” – 1915 ANZAC DAY COMMEMORATIONS AT COLLEGE RIFLES

The Anzac Day ceremony at College Rifles this year will be something special as the Club joins thousands of other organizations in recognizing 100 years the tragic battles on Gallipoli and beyond. Members of College Rifles played a significant part in the Gallipoli campaign. 12 of them paid the ultimate sacrifice during the 1915 year. One member Corporal Cyril Bassett served with such valour he was awarded the Victoria Cross – the only New Zealander to receive the VC during the campaign. It total 350 “Riflemen” served in the First World War 54 lost their lives. During the Second World War many members served and 42 were killed. The Club has many activities planned for the day and are hoping the wider community will take part in the Ceremony and view the sports on offer during the day. THE CEREMONY A parade will commence at 9.00 am from the area on Remuera Rd between Tahora and Minto Streets and will march to Rifles Park where, a ceremony including the laying of wreaths will take place in the area surrounding the memorial plinth and flag poles. Local school children will be invited to participate in the Parade and each would carry one of the 54 wooden crosses representing the Riflemen who fell during the First world war at the forefront of the Parade. The crosses will be

endorsed with the names, unit and place of falling. They will be preserved in a special receptacle and paraded for the next 4 years If your Child would like to carry one of the crosses in the parade please contact Susan via [email protected] in the very near future to register with his/her name. The crosses are not large or heavy but we suggest Children from about 9 years of age upward would manage them quite easily. We will also be seeking expressions of interest from all Children interested in being part of a Children’s Choir that will join with the Auckland Choral Society to lead the “sing a long” medley of old war songs during the course of the service. If you are interested let Susan Rope know at [email protected] Children that register for these duties will be asked to attend the club by 8am on the day.

Anzac Parade assistance: A reminder that for the older folk we will be providing transport up to the parade start. Cars will leave from the Life Members park in front of the physio house at regular intervals. If you have a family member/friend or neighbour who uses a wheelchair and would like to be part of the parade, we are more than happy to ensure they are assisted to the parade start and accompanied during the march - simply go to the transport staging point by 8.30 am POST CEREMONY Morning tea will be served in the Clubrooms and all people attending the parade are most welcome to attend. A sausage sizzle for the children will take place under the marquee on the warm up area. YOUR HELP PLEASE Refreshments served post ceremony are funded by the Club. We obviously will endeavour to meet the demand on the day, but it would be of enormous assistance to us if folk who are attending could supplement the food available by bringing on a plate of food of some sort – sandwiches, biscuits etc - It really would be appreciated – just bring your plate to the bistro and we will transfer the food to a club tray/dish so you can retain yours.

PLEASE NOTE: Priority access to the morning tea will be given to the older folk. We ask that the younger folk take advantage of the sausage sizzle and free drinks on offer down on the lower warm up area. Players, both senior and junior will only be admitted once senior folk have had access to the food tables and drink urns. UNIQUE MEMORABILIA Inside the Clubrooms displays featuring memorabilia from this and other conflicts will be on view and everyone is invited to visit and view these invaluable items. These displays have been expanded since last year and are of museum standard. It is well worth a look to experience the History of College Rifles and the part our members played in both world wars and the Boer war. ANZAC COMMEMORATIVE JERSEYS The website has a feature on the specially struck playing jersey that will be worn as a one off by the Premier side on Anzac day – there are only 6 of these left for sale to sponsors/collectors who wish to purchase one of these limited edition items – click on www.collegerifles.co.nz and click on “Anzac Commemorative Jersey” for further information. These jerseys are now available for viewing at the Club and are subject of much interest and praise. Please come and view them if you are interested in sponsoring one of these special edition items. SPORTING ACTIVITIES At 11 am there will be a game between featuring our Under 12 players. All players eligible for Under 12 will be asked to register their interest and 2 teams will be selected from these registrations. Every boy who registers their interest will be given some game time. This game will be played in memory of Rowan Willis, a junior player for some years who tragically lost his life early this year. In August 1914 a test match featuring La Crosse sides from Australia and New Zealand was scheduled to be played. Due to the outbreak of war the game never took place and it was known in La Crosse circles as “the test that never was” – this was rectified when the two sides met at Rifles Park last year. The game will take place again this year at 2.45 pm on No.2 field - so come along or

stay on to watch this fast and intriguing sport being played by the best players in Australasia. Later in the day, commencing at 1 pm, Club Rugby takes centre stage with our Reserves, and Premier sides playing Marist in the 3rd round of the Auckland Rugby competitions. The games will commence at 1pm and 2.45 pm respectively. SPECIAL REFERENCE: “The Hobson” a quality community newspaper which is circulated in the Remuera/Meadowbank area has published an in depth article on the origins and history of College Rifles – if you have not received or seen a copy please go to this link and see why Rifles is so proud of their Military connections http://www.thehobson.co.nz/story/april-issue/ The popular Heartland Rugby TV show “Grassroots Rugby” have indicated their intention to attend and film the events that will feature on TV at a later date.

SPECIAL INVITATIONS As stated 350 members of College Rifles fought in World War 1, an amazing number – 54 of those paid the ultimate sacrifice. A further 22 were killed in action during the Second World War If you are in any way related to these men or any soldier who fought in the wars please advise us via [email protected] that you will be attending, to whom you are related etc., in order that we can pay our respects to you and host you during the parade, ceremony and post ceremony events. If your friends and/or neighbours are not Rifles members, please let them know of the contents of this newsletter and the activities planned and pass on our invitation to them to join us on this special day. We will continue to update this information sheet as other matters come to hand so please keep viewing this section of the website.