Gone but never forgotten

REMEMBRANCE DAY: Beachview House resthome had a memorial day for residents on Armistice Day.

IN MEMORY: Residents were invited to light a candle in remembrance of those they know affected by wars.

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Beachview House resthome in Silverdale commememorated Remembrance Day with a personal service on Wednesday.

November 11 is Armistice Day, which marks the end to hostilities in World War One. It also commemorates the sacrifice of those who died serving in all wars.

Beachview arranged a DVD slideshow of war pictures and residents joined in a minute of silence before each war veteran at the home was recognised.

Resident Robert Ashton was born in Liverpool in 1919 and went into army cadet training after finishing school. He was called up in 1939 as a 20-year-old and fought in France as a foot soldier. Bob was among the British and French troops trapped at Dunkirk until Britain carried out a mass evacuation.

Alexander Hampton was born in New Zealand in 1922 and went to England with his family as a young child. He joined the Royal Air Force at 17 and started wartime flying operations in 1941 in 13 Squadron, Bomber Command. Alex flew 76 operations and became a warrant officer.

Mary Stevens, nee Patterson, was born in London in 1923 and began nursing training at the start of the war. She enlisted in the army in 1941 as an 18-year-old. Mary did radar training and was called to the Royal Artillery, detecting doodle bugs and German bombers heading for London. Mary also served with occupying forces in Hamburg manufacturing ammunition. She achieved acting sergeant rank.

William Collier was born in Manchester in 1922 and enlisted in the Royal Navy at 15. He served on the HMS Ceres and the HMS Active during the war. Bill was also a gunnery instructor after the war at Darmouth College Navy Base and was the youngest chief petty officer in the British Navy.

Jim Somerville was born in England in 1924. He joined the army at 17 and served with the 20th Company at the Solomon Islands from 1941 to 1945.

John Surman was born in 1909 and served in Suva with the Eighth Brigade from 1941 to 1942. He was then based in Tonga. John was in charge of getting mail to the troops in the Pacific. He achieved the rank of lieutenant.

Resident Henry Blair was born in 1926 and joined the Territorials in 1943, enlisting in the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1945 and seeing service in Japan for a year just after the Hiroshima nuclear bombing.

Henry served in the New Zealand Navy Armament Division for 34 years.

Graeme Brackebush was born in 1935 and at age 20 enlisted for three years national service, training in Wigram then Whenuapai and Hobsonville.

Residents were each invited to light a candle during the remembrance service and sang the national anthem.

- © Fairfax NZ News