Fallen heroes’ crosses stand to attention

Crosses honouring Marlborough’s fallen war heroes are put into regimented rows each year for Anzac Day, just as they would have been in formation in life.

The White Cross Project’s inception was in 2014 for the centenary of World War 1 and saw 250 crosses set up for four years of displays around Anzac Day on the banks of the Taylor River.

Facilitator Ron Shoemark says since starting with the 250 crosses made by the local woodworkers’ guild, the Marlborough District Council wanted to see the project continue with crosses around the region, with additions being made to this day.

“When we put the crosses out, I remind the team that we’re looking after the memories of all of these local boys, and they would have wanted to be nice and tidy while on display.

“We maintain the crosses, storing them at the Air Force base and ensuring they are clean and correctly labelled each year.

“Each cross has their numbers, names and other details, but we had one that only had the nickname “Hemi” on it until one day his grandson came in and gave us all of his proper war details.

“Our most recent addition has come from two and a half years ago, after Corporal Dominic Abelen went on unpaid leave to fight and unfortunately die fighting for Ukraine.

“His family asked the RSA to be added, and we were able to invite his family down to introduce his cross to his fellow Marlborough soldiers.”

Retired New Zealand Army Captain and Marlborough District Councillor Barbara Faulls looks out on the crosses this time each year, and says she is “buoyed by the resurgence of interest in Anzac Day and the willingness of young people to honour those who have passed in service.

“I am the daughter of a WWII veteran and Anzac Day was one of the few days that Dad ever took off from farming - my earliest memories are of my father polishing his medals (which I was allowed to do when I got older) and making sure that his suit was pressed and ready for the parade.

“Anzac Day was always a special family day as we would choose somewhere for a picnic and the cows would get milked a little later, but Mum and Dad always made sure that we knew about the significance, the history and the horror that was war.

“Dad did not glorify it, and we knew that he had lost many friends and comrades, and the crosses in the square are a stark reminder of those who have been lost from the Marlborough region.

"Veterans tend to be very reticent about talking about their service, but in the safety of a RSA or marae, they often open up and memories come pouring out.

“My two favourite places to attend an Anzac service would have to be high on the hill behind Portage and near the beach at French Pass, as it is heartbreaking to see all the names of those who went away to war, rowing out to the troop ships imagining that they were off to see the world and that they’d be home ‘in a jiffy’.

“So many of those young men never returned to the Sounds and their loss devastated not only their families but also the small Sounds farming communities. These two memorial sites are hugely poignant spots.

“Overall, we cannot forget, we must honour them and we must remember and do all that we can to not make the mistakes of the past.”