21 April 2009
By Lance Corporal Andrew Hardy in Timor-Leste
Anzac Day in Timor-Leste is going to be a special occasion for all New Zealand service personnel posted here. Many of us will have never experienced an Anzac Day where we can take part in the commemorations alongside out Australian counterparts.
This year, the New Zealand Contingent will be taking part in dawn services at Camp Phoenix and at Kiwi Lines in Dili. Twelve personnel will also travel to Lolotoe to hold a memorial service in honour of Staff Sergeant Billy White. For those who don’t know, Billy White passed away on Anzac Day morning in 2000, while on operations in Timor Leste.
Five personnel will travel to Suai to conduct a small service in conjunction with NZ Police stationed in the Cova Lima district; an area with which New Zealand has a strong historic connection. After the services in Dili, everybody will attend the mess for breakfast followed by a few games like “Two Up” and “Crown and Anchor”. In the afternoon we will be having an Australian versus New Zealand game of cricket it Kiwi Lines.
When I was little, I attended numerous Anzac Day services with my father, who also served in the military. I joined the military in February 2006, and since then I’ve attended two Anzac Day services with my home unit, 2 Signals Squadron. Both of these services were held within the Manawatu/Horowhenua area; Otaki in 2007 and Palmerston North 2008. After these services we went to the RSA as a collective group and socialised with the Veterans who had previously served in the New Zealand Defence Force.
For me personally, Anzac Day over here In Timor is going to be a unique experience and one to remember. This will be the first time I’ve attended a ceremony overseas, but what’s more special is being able to commemorate Anzac day alongside Australians. All in all, it’ll be an experience to take away with us when we return to New Zealand.
Ends