20 SEPTEMBER 2004

Return of the Unknown New Zealand Warrior

The RSA welcomes the homecoming of New Zealand's own Unknown Warrior and looks forward to taking part in the solemn ceremonies associated with his return to his homeland.

The Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association National President John Campbell urges all New Zealanders to remember the Unknown Warrior and the 30,000 New Zealand war dead he represents on the day of his interment at the National War Memorial, Armistice Day, 11 November.

Mr Campbell says, on behalf of all veterans, he sincerely thanks the Prime Minister for her support and leadership in bringing this momentous initiative to fruition.

“We greatly appreciate her personal interest in this historic event and also her many previous efforts to ensure the remembrance of our comrades and their valorous deeds,” he says.

As far back as the 1940s and more recently during the 1990s, the RSA has repeatedly called for an Unknown Warrior to be interred at the National War Memorial to serve as a focus of remembrance of the sacrifice made by New Zealand servicemen and women in overseas wars.

“The depth of emotional attachment veterans have for the Unknown Warrior - a comrade of the First World War founders of the RSA - was recently acknowledged at the RNZRSA's annual National Council Meeting with the unanimous decision to bestow upon the Unknown Warrior a special award of the Association’s most prestigious honour, the RNZRSA Badge in Gold,” said Mr Campbell.

The RSA appreciates that many veterans may wish to undertake a pilgrimage to Wellington to accompany the Unknown Warrior on the last leg of his long journey home - 19,000 kilometres and 85 years - and to pay their respects at his final resting place.

"For all New Zealanders this will be a day of remembrance and a day to remember," says Mr Campbell.

Contact: Bill Hopper
Tel (04) 528 9557
Fax (04) 528 2095
Email billhopper@paradise.net.nz

Related links

Tomb of the Unknown Warrior (on this site)
www.rsa.org.nz

PM's Announcement (Official NZ Government website)
www.beehive.govt.nz