Today the crowds turned out for Anzac Day in force, despite the threat of rain in some places. Went to Titirangi and noticed that Jack Smith and Ned Storey, on the Piha WW1 Roll of Honour, as workers at the Piha Mill, are also on the Titirangi memorial. Jack came from Laingholm way and died at Messines and Ned came from Huia and ran the breakdown saw at the Piha Mill with his father.
An innovation at today’s Piha ceremony. Lewis Farndon, descended from the Shaws (Jack Shaw worked at the Mill and Lewis’s mother Mona was born there), placed a wreath in remembrance of the Mill families. There were also relatives of Edward Constable at the event, who have been prompted to attend by my research into the Roll of Honour men.
It was great to see some of our older community members come out, including Ray Cranch of Piha surf club fame, and Lorraine Taylor, who with her husband were caretakers at the old radar station just after WW2.
Protect Piha Heritage’s Kath Dewar lays her wreath
Rev Jim Hunt after the Piha ceremony with the Pipe band
Otahuhu and District Pipe Band marches through the rain
Cody Lucas with Shirley Atkinson’s sponge and John Crichton at the Razza
Ray Cranch with Peter Brown, president of Piha Surf Club
Helen Pearce of Piha R&R with Rodger Curtice, president of Piha RSA