Christchurch man recognised for 50 years of military and firefighting service

Major Ackroyd was recently presented with a 50-Year Service medal for his volunteer work with Fire and Emergency New Zealand, a first for a serving member of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF). 

In 1974, the 15-year-old enlisted in the military as a Regular Force Cadet in the Army steward trade straight from Christchurch’s Hagley High School. That same year he joined the Waiouru Camp Fire Brigade as a volunteer.  

“At the time my dad said to me, join the army and you've got a job for life. I don't think he quite meant my whole life.”

The following year he started his apprenticeship as a supervisory steward. From then on, at every camp or base where he served, Major Ackroyd joined the nearest volunteer fire brigade. His postings took him through Auckland, Burnham, Linton, Trentham and three times to Waiouru.

From his current base at Headquarters Joint Forces New Zealand, Major Ackroyd reflected on the past five decades and reckoned one of the highlights was stewarding for and meeting Queen Elizabeth II in 1990 at Linton.  

“It was a buffet lunch and I remember serving quail eggs, which were more delicate and more appropriate for a royal to eat than chicken eggs. The Queen came through and spoke to us afterwards – she was a very lovely lady and very short, like my mum.”

Major Ackroyd also completed two tours of Timor-Leste in 2004 and 2010 as a logistics advisor.

On the second day of his second stint in Timor-Leste, Major Ackroyd was asked by the Chief of Defence to work on a complete audit of the NZDF’s weapons in the country, alongside an Australian officer and a Portuguese colonel overseeing the activity. 

“We pretty much found them all bar two pistols. It was a personal achievement by the time we finished.”

He also helped form Timor-Leste’s military marching band – which wasn’t a challenge for Major Ackroyd who played the trombone and had previously played in the Ellesmere Brass Band.

By the time he left, a group of 15 Timorese marched in formation on the parade ground for the first time for a parade for Timor-Leste independence. Now they are a fully accomplished band.

“When you talk about achievements that's probably one that's right at the top. The band did the hard work, I just shaped them and kept them on focus. This, and my work as the Logistics Advisor to the Falintil – Força de Defesa Timor-Leste, earned me my Distinguished Service Decoration.” 

Being part of the volunteer fire service offered its own memories – many of them tragic, Major Ackroyd said. 

“The worst is children being harmed and killed in vehicle crashes. Those memories sit with you a little bit. The fatal fires also sit in your mind.”

A significant incident was the Silver Fern railcar crash at Waiouru in 1981, where four people were killed and 16 injured. 

Major Ackroyd spent the aftermath in Waiouru’s Fire Station watchroom, helping the duty watchperson coordinate headquarters, police and the Army firefighters.

“All in all I’ve had an amazing career, met some amazing people both in the Army and with the Fire Service. It’s not over yet though as I still believe I have more to offer.”