Memorial to Forgotten First World War Soldier ~ Headstone Unveiled
As advised in my last Post Update (17 Aug 2018), a ceremony of remembrance to officially mark the grave of a WW1 veteran soldier who lay in an anonymous grave for 77 years, was held this week in the Catholic Section of the Wakapuaka Cemetery, Nelson.
6/4594 Private Samuel Chase, 2nd Canterbury Infantry Battalion, 11th Reinforcements had been buried in an unmarked grave as the result of injuries, including the loss of his left arm, he had received in France. Lasting psychological effects had resulted in his confinement in both the Porirua and Nelson Mental Asylums (where he died) for the last 15 or so years of his life.
On Friday, 05 September 2018 at 1500 hours, twenty plus Nelson citizens gathered to honour the memory and military service of Private Chase, and to formally unveil a recently commissioned official pattern headstone for his grave. Those attending included serving, returned and retired veterans of the NZ Army, Merchant Navy, RNZRSA and Nelson RSA, kaumatua and supporters.
The ceremony, led by tohunga Mr Shane Graham (Te Puni Korkiri Nelson and President of Tasman Rugby), started with a Mihi to all and a Karakia. Ian from MRNZ gave a brief outline of Pte. Chase’s life, military service and the circumstances that led to his interment in a Nelson cemetery. Brigadier Sean Trengrove, MVO, DSD, ED and Lt. Colonel (Rtd.) Nohorua Kotua, RNZIR honoured the occasion by unveiling an official headstone designed for all graves of all WW1 service men and women. Lt. Colonel Kotua then recited The Ode in Maori and Mr Derek Nees on behalf of the RNZRSA, reiterated it in English. Bugler, Mr David Todd from the Nelson City Brass Band, sounded the Last Post; a period of silence in memory of Private Chase was then observed, and finally the Bugler sounded the Rouse. This was followed by all in attendance laying a Poppy of Remembrance on the grave. Tohunga Shane Graham conclude the ceremony with words of thanks and farewell, and a final Karakia.
6/4594 Pte. Samuel Chase, born Waipawa and formerly of Takapau, Central Hawkes Bay is no longer forgotten. R.I.P
~ We will remember them ~
~ Lest We Forget ~