Passchendaele's fallen to be commemorated

The 90th anniversary of the Battle of Passchendeale will be marked with a commemorative service at the National War Memorial and Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Wellington on Friday, October 12.

The 11am ceremony will be conducted by Principle Defence Chaplain John Neal, with support from a Royal New Zealand Air Force guard of honour, a tri-service catafalque guard and the RNZAF Central Band.

The Governor-General, his Excellency the Honourable Anand Satyanand, will lay a wreath at the ceremony in memory of those who died during the battle of Passchendaele on October 12.

October 12, 1917 is the most disastrous day in New Zealand’s military history. In just two hours more than 2800 men were killed, wounded or listed as missing in action.

The New Zealand commemorations of Passchendaele will be matched by commemorations in Belgium on October 12 attended by Chief of the New Zealand Army Major General Lou Gardiner.