Ieper, Belgium - New Zealand Ceremony at the Ramparts

New Zealand Remembers ' From the Uttermost Ends of the Earth'  Wednesday 11th October 2017.

 

At 7 p.m. a special commemorative event with a distinctly New Zealand flavour was held in Ieper/Ypres. Along the ramparts next to the famous Menin Gate, a video and sound show telling the story of New Zealand’s participation in Passchendaele “from the uttermost ends of the earth” was shown

Featuring the arrival of a 14 metre Maori waka (cano), as part of the event, a ceremonial waka taua paddled for the first time in Flanders’ fields, by a 14-strong crew.


FOTO ALBUM


VIDEO

"Keep the home fires burning" 

(Music : Ivor Novello / Lyrics : Lena Ford) - 1914

 

They were summoned from the hillside, they were called in from the glen,

And the country found them ready at the stirring call for men.

Let no tears add to their hardships, as the soldiers pass along,

And although your heart is breaking, make it sing this cheery song:

 

Keep the Home Fires Burning,

While your hearts are yearning,

Though your lads are far away they dream of home.

There's a silver lining, through the dark clouds shining,

Turn the dark cloud inside out, 'til the boys come home.

 

Overseas there came a pleading,

"Help a nation in distress."

And we gave our glorious laddies, honor bade us do no less,

For no gallant son of freedom to a tyrant's yoke should bend,

And a noble heart must answer to the sacred call of "Friend."

 

Keep the Home Fires Burning,

While your hearts are yearning,

Though your lads are far away they dream of home.

There's a silver lining, through the dark clouds shining,

Turn the dark cloud inside out 'til the boys come home.