This ANZAC day the club was able to once again lay a wreath in a public service on behalf of the members of our club in memory of those who served and were never to return
In preparation for the service Shane Young asked James Guild-Inder, who plays cricket for the clubs Lion’s team, in the 2nd Engineer Regiment, 3rd Field Squadron based at Burnham if would be able to represent the club. Having a serving member of the NZDF in Uniform brings a lot of respect for the service and those involved. Due the changing policy about defence force staff attending ANZAC services it looked at one time like this might not have been possible, however James was able to gain approval and in his words ‘the request went right to the top’. Thank you James and for those who approved the request.
In the past we have attended the Christchurch dawn service, however this year there was not formal service and we went to a very well attended Papanui RSA service, which while not their normal service this year, was very well co-ordinated and run.
James was conspicuous in his immaculately turned out uniform and represented himself, NZ Army, and the cricket club with great pride. It was suggest to James that he could pop over and have a chat with the Brigadier, however he declined that offer.
In addition to James the rest of the party was Peter Hay the club chairman, Flint Rogers who is studying at UC and also plays in the Lions side who would have been the age of some of our member on the roll of honour. Gabe Stockwin also asked if Omar could be involved and while he was thrown into the spot light and did amazingly well. Omar is Burnside Junior player and is part of the BWC Lion’s team family.
Normally the official wreath laying party lays their wreath and then clubs, societies and individuals from the crowd are invited to lay their wreath or place poppies, however the RSA president came over to James and took our group to line up with official wreath laying party and while unscripted and unprepared our group did a tremendous job in the line up.
It’s important to continue to honour and remember our members of who served and the club is grateful for the messages of pride and support who thank our current committee for supporting this initiative. We have found this article on Papers Past from August 1915 when our Chairman at the time Dan Reese spoke to the Canterbury Cricket meeting about the prospect of playing cricket or serving in the War.
A link to the roll of honour, an ongoing project, lest we forget Roll of Honour