Surreal experience for Great-Grandson of Gallipoli veteran
The emotions brought up from following in the footsteps of his great-grandfather through the bloodied battlefields of the Gallipoli campaign snuck up on Chief Petty Officer Nicholas Hunter.
28 April, 2022
In Turkey as part of the New Zealand Defence Force Anzac Day 2022 contingent, the Seamanship Combat Specialist struggled to put into words his experience as he paid respect to those who served and lost their lives in World War I.
“It’s been a privilege to come this far and know that they landed down on that beach somewhere and they came up the ridges that we came up, and the fighting that ensued… it’s surreal. It’s hard to put into words, and all the emotions that go with it,” he said.
Chief Petty Officer Hunter’s great-grandfather, Corporal Victor Eather, was in the Auckland Infantry Regiment and served on the peninsula in June 1915.
He survived his time at Gallipoli and went on to serve in the Western Front in 1916, before returning back to New Zealand.
Chief Petty Officer Hunter, originally from Rotorua, said it meant a lot to be selected as a site liaison officer for Anzac Day commemorations and it provided him the chance to learn more about what his great-grandfather lived through.
As part of the contingent’s role in Turkey, battlefield tours are conducted to understand the stories and history of the areas where commemorations take place, and it’s here where Chief Petty Officer Hunter felt the true weight of the meaning behind the commemoration.
“The cemeteries like Hill 60 and 12 Tree Copse are the ones that I got really emotional at. I guess when you see so many headstones that say ‘Believed to be in this site’… it is heart-wrenching, and the loss of life is just staggering, it’s hard to try to comprehend that. It has been a privilege to come and honour that, and pay respect.”
It’s not just Chief Petty Officer Hunter who has been affected by his trip to the Gallipoli peninsula.
In a message sent from home while in Gallipoli, his mother shared how she felt about him following in the footsteps of their family member.
“I feel truly emotional about you being there, not only that you are so far away in these unprecedented times, but that you are treading in the footsteps of our ancestors who did so much to fight for our countries,” she wrote.
“For you in this Defence Force, to honour those fallen, is something you and all of us will never forget.”
RNZAF undertakes advanced tactics training in the United States
Media Release
WWII bombs located in Tuvalu waters
Media Release
NZDF personnel parade Her Majesty The Queen’s flag for New Zealand for final time
Media Release
Palmerston North Commander farewells Queen in London
Media Release
NZDF hosts first Women's International Defence Rugby Competition
Media Release
Construction begins on NZDF/MFAT Leadership Centre in Tonga
Media Release
NZ Army conducts mortar firing and tactical field training with partners in Fiji
Media Release
RNZAF Band to perform Wellington drummer's compositions
Media Release
RNZAF flight signals start of Antarctic summer season
Media Release
NZ Defence Force farewells Queen in sombre funeral procession
Media Release
Australia recognises NZDF personnel for bushfires response
Media Release
Texans take flight over Nelson in Exercise Wise Owl
Media Release
NZDF contingent to depart for UK to take part in official mourning events
Media Release
21-gun salute to acknowledge the proclamation of accession of His Majesty King Charles III
Media Release
Death Gun Salute marking the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Wellington Waterfront
Media Release
New Zealand Defence Force mourns death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Media Release
NZDF pleased with pitching in as Northern Territory military exercises closes
Media Release
Gisborne man adds to family legacy of Navy and rugby representation
Media Release
Tauranga man leading rugby side in Commonwealth Navy Rugby Cup
Media Release
HMNZS Wellington combats illegal, unreported and unregulated Pacific fishing
Media Release
Soldiers gaining experience on large-scale Manawatū roading project
Media Release
Consultation opens on improving coordination of Veterans' support
Media Release
Navy teams up with Fiji and Tonga for Commonwealth Navy Rugby Cup
Media Release
RNZAF delivers more equipment as Kiribati battles drought
Media Release
Further details released on NZDF soldier reportedly killed in Ukraine
Media Release
Statement on reports of death of New Zealand soldier
Media Release
NZDF joins Exercise Pitch Black in Australia’s Northern Territory
Media Release
Defence Force supports South Island floods
Media Release
Christchurch Officer Cadet takes on pressure from ‘Army fire hose’
Media Release
NZDF, MPI and Fiji agencies begin fishing monitoring work in Pacific
Media Release
NZDF delighted with opening of Ohakea Rural Water Scheme
Media Release
NZDF to deploy to the UK in further support for Ukraine
Media Release
Army honours Private David Stewart NZBM with theatrette dedication
Media Release
NZDF completes school and wharf work in Niue
Media Release
Commemorations remember Guadalcanal 80 years on
Media Release
NZDF wraps up its role in Rim of the Pacific exercise
Media Release
Army Band to represent New Zealand on the world stage again
Media Release
RNZAF Base Auckland takes Queen’s Colour, farewells Orion at Change of Command parade
Media Release
RNZAF delivers critical freight to Kiribati and Fiji
Media Release
NZ Navy gifts ship's bell to mark bonds forged in Christchurch earthquake
Media Release
Chief of NZ Army says Fiji visit both long overdue and greatly welcomed
Media Release
NZ Navy Hydrographers get to work mapping Niue's unique landscape
Media Release
Chief of the New Zealand Army visits Fiji
Media Release
Fijian exercise throws young NZ Army leaders into heat of battle
Media Release
Milton Navy man takes on Niue tasks in tropical heat
Media Release
![Officer Cadet School [OCS] of New Zealand have learned new survival skills from their Fijian military counterparts during three days in the Fijian bush. Photo credit: RFMF](/assets/Uploads/PageElements/Survival-ex-1__FocusFillWyItMC4wMiIsIi0wLjMxIiwyMjAsMTkwXQ.jpeg)
NZ Army Officer Cadets living off the land in exercise with Fijian military
Media Release
Arrest following Base access
Media Release
Navy frigate HMNZS Te Mana returns after three years in Canada
Media Release
NZ Army returns to train alongside Pacific Partners in Fiji
Media Release
NZ Navy underwater capability on show at RIMPAC
Media Release
NZDF flies team to support Niue in COVID-19 outbreak
Media Release
Kiwi helicopter pilot soars above London's Royal Celebrations
Media Release
A way forward for veteran's mental health and wellbeing
Media Release
NZDF personnel extended in roles in support of Ukraine
Media Release
Hercules and Air Force personnel return from mission in support of Ukraine
Media Release
HMNZS Aotearoa departs for RIMPAC 22
Media Release
Mutual benefit for NZDF involved in training courses in Fiji
Media Release
Training alongside NZDF military partners
Media Release
NZDF marchers and warriors wow crowd at Queen’s Jubilee Pageant
Media Release
NZDF Jubilee contingent readying to march onto world stage
Media Release
Texans take flight over Napier in Exercise Wise Owl
Media Release
NZDF Artillery Team to Train Ukrainians alongside UK
Media Release
NZDF to march at Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant in London
Media Release
RNZAF crew finds survivors on two boats missing near Kiribati
Media Release
NZ Army Engineers help rebuild Fijian school buildings
Media Release
Army breaks new ground in New Caledonia exercise
Media Release
Brotherly link draws on emotions at Anzac service
Media Release
NZDF support to Ukraine’s self-defence underway
Media Release
Navy medic strengthens whānau link to Gallipoli campaign
Media Release
Emotional return to Gallipoli for Anzac Day services
Media Release
NZDF marks Anzac Day at home and around the world
Media Release
Anzac Day marks 40 years of NZDF service in Sinai
Media Release
Unclaimed 28 (Maori) Battalion medals identified
Media Release
Twenty two Light Armoured Vehicles sold to Chilean Navy
Media Release
RNZAF Hercules departs for Europe
Media Release
Flight to ice completes NZDF’s Operation Antarctica for summer season
Media Release
Air Force marks 85 years of service to New Zealand
Media Release
Air Force Heritage Flight takes off
Media Release
Two former RNZN Inshore Patrol Vessels sold to The Republic of Ireland
Media Release
Former Defence Chief passes away in Wellington
Media Release
Change of Command for Devonport Naval Base
Media Release
NZDF to begin drawdown from MIQ
Media Release
NZDF Leadership puts gender equality firmly in its sights
Media Release
Combined Space Operations Vision 2031 Statement released
Media Release
21-gun salute for Jubilee of Queen’s accession
Media Release
NZ Navy's new replenishment vessel sails on maiden voyage to Antarctica
Media Release
NZDF ready to assist West Coast communities
Media Release
NZDF support to Tonga continues to deliver
Media Release
Bamyan firing ranges clearance completed
Media Release
NZ Navy leadership ends Arabian Gulf mission with $15M drug bust
Media Release
NZDF’s support to Tonga Response ramps up
Media Release
NZDF support to Tonga: 17 January
Media Release
Holiday drug bust by Kiwi-Led Navy operation in Arabian Sea
Media Release
Three NZDF personnel recognised in New Year Honours List
Media Release
Meri Kirihimete from the New Zealand Defence Force
Media Release
Interceptions by NZ-led naval task force seize $US26 million in illegal drugs
Media Release
NZDF personnel deploy to Solomon Islands as part of inter-agency stability mission
Media Release
RNZAF Hercules transports PPE, medical supplies to Papua New Guinea
Media Release
NZDF ship, aircraft help ensure Pacific fishing rules are followed
Media Release
NZ tops global transparency rating for Defence and security sector
Media Release
Bravery and compassion from Australian Bushfire Assist deployment commended
Media Release
United States Navy Ship to visit New Zealand
Media Release
Expert Review Group Report Released
Media Release
RNZAF Orion crew find missing Kiribati sailors
Media Release
NZDF investigates alleged Auckland border breach
Media Release
New Zealand-led operation seizes drugs in Indian Ocean
Media Release
Pronounced safety focus for RNZAF and CAA during Māori Language Week
Media Release
NZDF exercises with international counterparts in South East Asia
Media Release
Personnel deployed on Afghanistan evacuations return to New Zealand
Media Release
NZDF boosts Wellington drive-through vaccination effort
Media Release
Air Force Veteran and New Zealand's oldest person passes away
Media Release
New Zealand Army's role in evacuation mission involved 'bravery on both sides'
Media Release
Navy personnel and accommodation facility test negative for COVID-19
Media Release
Statement from the Chief of Defence Force: Media Reports
Media Release
First 'Lead Teams' leadership programme underway in Tonga next week
Media Release
Statement from the Chief of Defence Force regarding situation in Afghanistan
Media Release
Delivery of COVID-19 vaccines to Palmerston Island completed
Media Release
Air Force Hercules in US for international exercise
Media Release
Royal Canadian Navy frigate to visit Auckland
Media Release
Delivery of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines to Tokelau complete
Media Release
Buller Flood Support
Media Release
RNZAF carries out medevac from Antarctica
Media Release
RNZAF carrying out low-flying around Manawatū, Rangitikei & Whanganui
Media Release
Bamyan firing range clearance passes halfway point
Media Release
Chief of the NZDF announces awards for Whakaari White Island response
Media Release
NZDF continues to assist in Canterbury flooding response
Media Release
2020 Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence
Media Release
Statement by Chief of Defence Force Air Marshal Kevin Short on the death of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Media Release
Two NZDF personnel test positive for COVID-19
Media Release
