Ruapehu Mayor Weston Kirton (front and centre) at the Taumarunui Dawn Parade. PHOTOS MICHAEL RYAN AND SHONA BLOMQUIST
Speaking at Taumarunui dawn and civic Anzac services, Ruapehu Mayor Weston Kirton shared the story of a personal family tragedy to highlight what he called the horrors of war.
Weston told the story of the death of his grandfather, who died in World War II, “not in a glorious battle but due to a terrible mistake.”
Following the war, Weston’s family had to wait 30 years to learn the truth of the matter, which concerned a ship carrying prisoners of war (POW) that was sunk mistakenly by an allied submarine.
“Originally Anzac Day was to remember the First World War, in particular the ill-fated Gallipoli campaign,” he told those who gathered.
“This war took a brutal toll as New Zealand suffered around 8000 casualties and many more wounded. 2200 Maori served in the first world war with a remarkable level of bravery.
“Back home, women kept the country’s farms and factories going, not knowing if their sons, brothers, fathers, fiancés and loved ones would ever return.
“Today, we remember all service, all sacrifice during the military campaigns New Zealand has taken part in over the years.
“Collectively we remember and pause and reflect on those who perished, and what those who returned had to endure. Returning back to their family with a limb missing. Or shattered nerves. Or bearing a psychological trauma not visible to the naked eye.
“Many of us come here with our own stories, our own memories of loved ones, friends and grandparents who fought and served.
“And that is the case for me too. I would like to dedicate my remarks this morning to my grandfather, Private Reginald Wildbore, 25th Battalion, New Zealand Infantry.
“Reginald was my mother’s father, and her only parent after her mother – my grandmother – died when she was just six years old.
“Like many young men during the Second World War, my grandfather signed up for duty. He joined the army, became a gunner, and after his training was shipped out to serve the North African desert.
“During his service here, his unit was overrun, he was captured, and forced onto enemy ships destined for POW camps on the other side of the Mediterranean.
“It was during this journey that tragedy occurred.
On December 9, 1941, their ship, the ‘Jason’, was torpedoed by a British submarine. The submarine crew were unaware there were 2000 Commonwealth prisoners of war below the decks.
“Five hundred POWs were killed, including 43 New Zealand soldiers. Sadly, my grandfather Reginald was one of them.”
Weston said back home, his mother was informed by telegram that her father was ‘lost in action’, consequently making her an orphan.
His mother did not know the truth of what happened to her father until a book, ‘No Honour No Glory’, was published 30 years later by Spence Edge. The author was a POW on board the ship Jason with Weston’s grandfather, but he survived.
“Our family is grateful to him for sharing this story. I know my family’s story is just one of many. Every family in New Zealand was touched in some way by war.
“Today, on Anzac Day, we come together to remember those who served and died. Not just in glorious battles that bent the curve of history in our direction. But other tragedies too, like the terrible mistake by the Royal Navy that took my grandfather’s life.
“Part of our remembrance, and the passing of family stories onto our children and grandchildren, is to make sure that we collectively remember the horror and tragedy of war. By doing so, we strengthen our resolve in pursuit of a peaceful world.”
