The 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme will be commemorated at Founders Heritage Park this week.
This Thursday 15 September marks the centenary of the World War One battle at Longueval, which is known as one of New Zealand’s ‘darkest days’ in military history in terms of loss of life.
The battle was New Zealand’s first major engagement on the Western Front and took a huge toll on the 15,000 members of the New Zealand Division who were involved. Roughly one in seven of the division who fought on the Somme was killed, and about four in every 10 were wounded.
To pay our respects as a city, Founders will be commemorating with ‘Remember the Somme’ this Thursday. The event will include letter and diary excerpts, with readings from actors and community members, and a morning tea in The Granary.
The newly-installed Wall of Honour near The Granary will also be unveiled, which displays Nelsonians who served in a range of capacities.
Nelson City Council’s Arts and Heritage Adviser Debbie Daniell-Smith says there are 2794 names on the wall, which is a continuation of what was started at the Nelson Provincial Museum in 2014.
The wall will also act as a focus for future annual Anzac events at the park.
Remember the Somme, Thursday, 15 September, 11am – 12pm at Founders Heritage Park. Entry is free.
