Video: WWI centenary marked in Wellington

  • Breaking
  • 03/08/2014

More than 1000 people turned out at the Parliament grounds this morning to commemorate 100 years since the beginning of World War I.

The commemoration was also marked with a boom on Wellington's waterfront by 100 shots from 10 L119 Hamel 105mm Field Guns.

Prime Minister John Key and Labour leader David Cunliffe both addressed the crowd at Parliament, where the announcement of war from 1914 was read.

In total 103,000 New Zealanders served overseas during WWI, with 59,500 casualties and 18,200 deaths.

One hundred crosses were also laid out on the front lawn of Parliament with names of those who died.

The project is part of the Fields of Remembrance Trust, which is encouraging communities to set up their own field to mark the WWI centennial commemorations.

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A series of mini-documentaries that focus on WWI, Great War Stories, will begin screening during the 6pm bulletin tonight.

Narrated by Hilary Barry, whose great-grandfather fought at Passchendaele, the series looks at the personal stories of New Zealanders like air ace Keith Caldwell and his extraordinary escapes; the cruel treatment of Mark Briggs, one of 14 conscientious objectors who were sent overseas and to the front line; and the fate of New Zealand’s 10,000 war horses.

Tune into 3 News at 6pm or watch the livestream here.

3 News

source: newshub archive