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Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Tuapeka memorial unveiled
Tuapeka District fallen soldiers' memorial at Lawrence. — Otago Witness, 23.6.1925 There was a large gathering at the Peace Garden in Peel street, Lawrence, at 4.30pm yesterday afternoon, when residents of the township, the surrounding districts, and even further afield, assembled to do honour to the memory of the soldiers from the locality who laid down their lives in the course of the struggle for freedom between 1914 and 1918. The weather was all that could be desired, the sun shining brightly, and there being a complete absence of wind. The gathering was held for the purpose of unveiling a beautiful memorial, which will bear witness from now onwards to the bravery, devotion and sacrifice made by so many men in the interests of humanity in the great struggle against German militarism. The memorial bears the following inscription: "Erected by the people of Lawrence and surrounding districts in grateful remembrance of the men who, at the call of duty, left all that was dear unto them, faced danger, endured hardship, and finally laid down their lives for their country in the Great War for righteousness and freedom." The granite panel contains the names of 25 men from Lawrence, 11 from Waitahuna, nine from Beaumont, eight from Tuapeka West, six from Raes Junction, six from Waipori, five from Clark's Flat, four from Blue Spur, four from Waitahuna West, three from Evans Flat and three from Tuapeka Flat. The memorial, which occupies a commanding position in the Peace Garden, is 25 feet high and 16ft wide. It is octagonal in shape, and is constructed of concrete, covered by cement. The memorial was unveiled by Mrs Samuel French. One minute of silence was then observed, this being followed by the sounding of the "Last Post" by Sergeant-major Napier. A number of beautiful wreaths were subsequently laid on the memorial. Reform elects 'fellow' leader The first indication of Mr Coates's selection as Leader of the Reform Party came in a curious way. A workman coming down the lift said he had heard them singing "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow." This was at 20 minutes past four, and the inevitable conclusion was that Mr Coates had been selected as Leader of the Party. The caucus, having decided who was to be the new leader, adjourned for afternoon tea and soon afterwards Sir Francis Bell (Prime Minister) sent for the press representatives who were in the building, and to them he made a brief announcement. He said: "Joseph Gordon Coates is elected Leader of the Party, and of all those who sit on the right of the Speaker's chair." The latter part of the sentence was somewhat cryptic because Mr George Witty, one of those who sit on the right of the Speaker's chair, though he has voted with the Reform Government, is not a member of the Reform Party, and Mr Lysnar, who also sits on the right, was not present at the caucus. Gordon Coates takes on mantle The expected happened at the meeting of the parliamentary members of the Reform Party yesterday. Mr Coates was chosen as party leader, and it goes without saying that he will promptly become Prime Minister. We congratulate him upon his signal advance in public life, and confidently hope that the results will be satisfactory to the country and to himself. The auspices are not unfavourable, though circumstances may arise that will shrewdly test the new leader's judgment and general capacity. He does not lack experience. It is a little less than fourteen years since he entered Parliament. — editorial A bad phase for Port elderly In terms of the Port Chalmers council's renewed street lighting contract with the City Council, which owns the electrical supply, the streets are now left unlighted for several nights at the full moon period. Under the old lighting contract the street lighting was not cut off at full moon, and the new arrangement is not regarded as favourable, the unlighted streets when the moonlight is obscured by cloudy weather being a hardship, especially in the case of old people who have occasion to go out at night time. The new councillors, recognising the disability, have decided to endeavour to modify the terms of the new lighting contract with the City Council so that the lighting of the streets may be improved. — ODT, 28.5.1925 Compiled by Peter Dowden
Leader Live
12-05-2025
- General
- Leader Live
Llangollen's poignant service for 80th anniversary of VE Day
The events marked the unconditional surrender of Nazi German troops across Europe to the Allies in World War II on May 8, 1945 sparking widespread celebrations across the war-weary Allied Nations. On Thursday (May 8), the Llangollen branch of the Royal British Legion hosted a service of commemoration in Centenary Square. Prayers were said by Father Lee Taylor from St Collen's Church and there were readings from Legion branch chairman Mike Adams and member Tug Wilson. TOP STORIES Flags were lowered by a standard party and the traditional minute's silence was observed. The service ended with the sounding of Last Post. Immediately afterwards on the library steps, a civic party led by the Town Mayor, Cllr Aled Morris, and town crier Austin Cheminais read proclamations signifying the end of the Second World War in Europe 80 years ago. The Town Hall frontage was then floodlit in patriotic red, white and blue.
Daily Record
09-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
VE Day's 80th anniversary marked at South Lanarkshire Council HQ
Provost Margaret Cooper led a short event where a commemorative flag was raised. A commemorative flag was raised at South Lanarkshire Council headquarters in Hamilton yesterday (Thursday) to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Provost Margaret Cooper led a short event for invited guests, who included Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire Lady Susan Haughey, local and national politicians, members of the Royal British Legion, local clergy, emergency services personnel and senior council officers. Also invited were representatives of the Cameronians, Scotland's only rifle regiment of the British Army, disbanded in 1968, and now memorialised in a unique permanent exhibition at Hamilton's Low Parks Museum. Members of the community music group Soundsational, dressed in fashions from the war era, performed 'Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree' and 'Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy' and the wartime classic, 'We'll Meet Again', as the guests took their places. Rev Ross Blackman, Minister of Hamilton Old Parish Church, then led an opening prayer before Laurence Binyon's famous words, 'They Shall not Grow Old', were read. The 'Last Post' then sounded before a two-minute silence was observed and the anniversary flag raised to mark eight decades since Germany surrendered to allied forces on May 8, 1945. After a final prayer, the ceremony ended with the playing of the national anthem and final sounds from a lone piper. Provost Cooper described VE Day as 'one that must never be forgotten'. She added: 'I have no doubt that Victory in Europe Day is one that those who lived through it would remember for the rest of their lives. It must surely have been a day full of hope and joy, and genuine celebration. 'Yet, there would also have been sadness for so many as they remembered loved ones who gave their lives on a foreign battlefield to make sure that this day of victory would come. 'And that is why we are here. It is why, not just on this 80th anniversary, but every year, we honour the sacrifices they made. 'Eighty years on from the end of WW2, there are very few of our 'greatest generation' still with us, which makes it even more important we, who enjoy the freedoms they fought for, ensure that their voices will live on. 'Coming together today in remembrance, and to raise this special flag is the very least that we can give them, and we do so with pride.'
Pembrokeshire Herald
08-05-2025
- General
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Tenby pays tribute on VE Day with moving memorial service
Wreaths laid and Last Post sounded as town remembers fallen heroes A SOLEMN service was held in Tenby this morning (Thursday, May 8) to mark Victory in Europe (VE) Day, commemorating the end of the Second World War in Europe and honouring those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The service took place at the town's war memorial, where veterans, civic leaders, school pupils, uniformed services, and members of the public gathered in remembrance. Under a bright spring sky, the ceremony was led by local clergy and featured the sounding of the Last Post by a Salvation Army bugler, bringing the bustling seaside town to a moment of silence and reflection. Among those laying wreaths were representatives from The Royal British Legion Tenby branch, Pembrokeshire County Council, Dyfed-Powys Police, the armed forces, local schools, and community groups. Pupils from Greenhill School also took part, laying wreaths on behalf of the younger generation. The Mayor of Tenby, who laid a wreath on behalf of the town council, spoke of the importance of continuing to remember the sacrifices made during the Second World War: 'It's vital that we never forget the cost of freedom and the courage shown by so many men and women during the darkest days of our history.' Veterans stood proudly alongside standard bearers, with salutes and bowed heads marking a poignant two-minute silence. A short address and prayer were given, with reflections on peace, unity, and the continued relevance of VE Day in today's world. The service concluded with the national anthem and a final salute, with many staying on to read the engraved names of the fallen on the war memorial—each one a reminder of Tenby's enduring connection to Britain's wartime legacy. (Photos: Gareth Davies Photography) The Pembrokeshire Herald's Coverage of VE Day 80 commemorations are kindly sponsored by PMR
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
A town remembers on 80th anniversary of VE Day
Many faces of those who remember the end of World War Two have now gone, but communities across the UK - including in Northamptonshire - have been marking the 80th anniversary since guns fell silent in Europe. In Irthlingborough, the stillness of the early morning was broken by the plaintive sound of bagpipes on Parsons Green. The strident tones of town crier John Farrar were then heard, delivering a VE Day 80 proclamation. He was pleased that "quite a lot of people have turned up - it shows that people are still remembering and are still interested and it means something to them". Among those watching the commemorations were two people who remembered how Irthlingborough marked the end of hostilities. Robert and Pamela Ward were aged eight and seven on 8 May 1945. Mrs Ward had found the war to be a frightening experience. She said: "We lived down Nicholas Road and there were all fields at the back. One day, they must have been doing an exercise and I thought the Germans had come. "I was absolutely terrified. I remember my Mum drawing all the curtains so I needn't look." When the coming of the Germans was no longer a threat and peace came, streets across Irthlingborough were filled with happy faces. Mr Ward remembered "the older people putting trestles on the old green in Abington Road and they had newspaper cloths on the tables. "They all brought out jelly, fish paste sandwiches and we had a big party. As kids, we really loved it." The unbridled joy of 1945 has given way to more reflective commemorations in 2025, but later on Thursday Irthlingborough residents are being treated to a fish and chip supper while listening to a singer and a band. Lanterns of peace are also due to be lit and the Last Post will be sounded from the church tower, as a reminder of the sacrifices of the war and of people across the world still striving for peace. The mayor, Tracey Walton, said: "People have been saying that this one [anniversary] is probably going to be the most significant event for VE Day because we are losing our veterans now, so to be able to pass that on to our youngsters and make sure they carry that forward is really so important. It's part of who we are." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Veteran recalls raw onion sandwiches on VE Day Exhibition remembers WW2 crash that killed 17 Relatives to see streets named after war heroes Irthlingborough Town Council
