Howick RSA Commemorates Armistice Day with Ceremony

The Howick Returned and Services Association (RSA) will hold a ceremony on November 11 to honour New Zealanders who sacrificed their lives in World War I. The event is set to take place at the cenotaph on Stockade Hill, with attendees encouraged to arrive by 10:45 a.m. for a service that will begin at 11:00 a.m.

Barry Dreyer, president of the Howick RSA, invites both association members and the public to participate in this important remembrance. “November 11 is Armistice Day, the day of remembrance for those killed and those damaged from World War I,” said Dreyer.

The ceremony will feature a short address, the laying of wreaths, commemorative bugle calls, and the Ode of Remembrance. Local schools are also expected to be involved in the observance, reinforcing the community’s commitment to remembering these sacrifices. Following the ceremony, participants are invited to the Apothecary Café on Picton Street for refreshments and lunch, at their own expense, where tables will be reserved for attendees.

Armistice Day, observed annually, marks the signing of the armistice that ended World War I in 1918. It is traditionally commemorated with a minute’s silence at 11 minutes past the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Dreyer highlighted the significance of this day, stating, “Armistice Day has been an important commemorative day throughout the Commonwealth since shortly after the end of that war.”

In New Zealand, the day serves as a poignant reminder of the nearly 17,000 soldiers who were killed while serving in the New Zealand forces during World War I. Dreyer noted that this figure represents almost 17 percent of those who served under New Zealand’s flag. Additionally, he pointed out that the number does not include the 3,370 New Zealanders who served in Australian and other British forces during the conflict.

The Howick RSA’s observance of Armistice Day underscores the ongoing importance of remembrance in New Zealand, ensuring that the sacrifices made by previous generations are not forgotten.