DUNEDIN
Veteran Ken Rumble and his daughter Megan Hurley struggled with their emotions yesterday as they joined the crowd watching dawn break over Dunedin's Queens Gardens.
The dawn service was expected to be Mr Rumble's last, and the 70-year-old former Royal New Zealand Navy petty officer was determined to attend - as he has been every year since he came home from serving in Korea in 1957.
Mr Rumble, formerly of Lawrence, is living out his days at the Otago Community Hospice in Dunedin.
Ms Hurley said his service was important to her father, who was determined to attend the yesterday's dawn ceremony despite his deteriorating health.
Mr Rumble was one of about 9000 people in the greater Dunedin area who gathered to pay their respects.
Dunedin RSA dawn service convener Lox Kellas said he was pleased with the turnout, which he thought was probably bigger than last year.
There was a noticeable increase in the number of people taking part in the parade, and in the number of wreaths laid.
Many were from halls of residence and high schools, he said.
About a dozen returned servicewomen and men led the parade.
In Mosgiel, a crowd of about 1000 people gathered at the memorial in Gordon Rd at 9.30am to pay their respects, , including dozens of returned servicemen.
Some were visibly overwhelmed by the turnout.
It was a more sombre affair at the Montecillo Veterans Home and Hospital following the confirmation from Air Commodore Stuart Baillie, who had earlier given the address at the dawn service at the Dunedin Cenotaph, that three air force personnel had died in a helicopter crash.
The 11am service, which attracted more than 70 people, was broadcast to those residents who were unable to attend.
About 220 people attended a service at Green Island.
About the same number attended a service in Brighton, and about 380 people were at a posy-laying ceremony at Green Park cemetery at noon.
On the peninsula, about 250 people attended a service at Portobello, where a memorial to local men who died in World War 2 was unveiled.
About 100 people attended a service at Taiaroa Head at 11am, and other services in the area were also well attended.
CENTRAL OTAGO
Numbers attending Anzac Day services in Central Otago yesterdaywere generally higher than in previous years, with more young people and families among those paying their respects.
Fine weather prevailed for services in the Maniototo, the Teviot Valley, Alexandra, Cromwell, Omakau, Clyde and Bannockburn.
War veterans, RSA members, police officers, volunteer firefighters and ambulance staff, youth groups, school pupils, community groups and local authorities were all represented at the nine services.
A dawn service in Ranfurly, from 6.30am, heralded the start of the Central Otago district's commemoration.
It was followed by a family service at Naseby at 11am.
Maniototo RSA secretary Margaret Lockhart said about 250 people attended each of those services.
"One of the highlights of this year's service was the high number of young people and family groups who took part," she said.
Lieutenant-commander Ian Marshall, of the New Zealand Navy, was the guest speaker at the latter ceremony.
While numbers were slightly down at the 8am service in Clyde, the crowd at the Alexandra service later in the morning was bigger than last year, when 800 attended, Alexandra-Clyde RSA secretary Barrie Reynolds said.
Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean was the guest speaker at both Clyde and Alexandra.
Children from The Terrace, St Gerard's, Alexandra Primary and Clyde Schools had baked Anzac biscuits, which were distributed to RSA members in the district after the service, , he said.
About 270 people paid their respects at Roxburgh, and Roxburgh-Millers Flat president Garry Robinson said the crowd was bigger than last year's.
The guest speaker was Dr John Crawford, of Teviot.
The Millers Flat service attracted about 150 people and Alistair McIver, of Millers Flat, was the guest speaker.
Omakau recorded one of its largest Anzac gatherings for the second successive year, as more than 200 took part in a remembrance ceremony.
The guest speaker at Omakau was Brigadier David Gawn, who has served in Bosnia and East Timor.
At least 600 were present at the Cromwell service, where Cromwell College principal Mason Stretch was the guest speaker.
Earlier in the morning, about 200 people gathered at the Bannockburn war memorial.
EAST OTAGO
Reading accounts of World War 1 in servicemen's diaries put a different perspective on the war for Anzac Day service speaker at Hampden, Waitaki Boys' High School Rector Dr Paul Baker.
Diaries often continued for a considerable period of time. The soldiers gave a different view to the official pronouncements that were printed in the newspapers, he said.
The Hampden service was attended by 90 people, about 10 fewer than last year.
The Palmerston Anzac Day service was attended by 160 people, down from about 200 last year, and in Dunback the service at the war memorial was attended by 160 people.
NORTH OTAGO
In Oamaru, more than 500 people attended the dawn service at the World War 1 memorial.
In welcoming war veterans to the service, North Otago RSA president John Longman said: "Well done chaps. We've had another year".
A tourist watched from an upstairs window of a nearby backpackers as Mr Longman told those present that Anzac Day was a day of remembrance, and a time to honour all New Zealanders who had served in wars.
He was thrilled at the large turn-out.
About 700 people, including a large number of young people, attended the Garden of Memories service later in the morning.
Waitaki Mayor Alex Familton shared some entries from the diary of his relative Gordon Familton, a World War 2 veteran.
Alex Familton said the story of all wars must not be forgotten.
All were tragic and sad.
They threw society into turmoil and threatened the foundations of civilisation.
It was right that every generation should know of the deeds and self-sacrifice and be reminded of the horror, misery and desolation that conflict brought.
They needed to be aware of the many that did not return and the grief-stricken homes of those they loved.
"As we remember, we may all strive to prevent a repetition of such conflicts," he said.
Community chaplain Ron Parker, who spoke at services at Papakaio, Georgetown and Pukeuri, said the men and women being honoured on Anzac Day went to war for hope and freedom, democracy and justice.
"They gave their lives for others to enjoy what we are enjoying today. We are grateful for every man and woman who in the crucial hours of darkness died so that the lights of freedom might shine," he said.
About 100 attended a service at Hampden, 80 were at Maheno, 100 at Alma, 100 at Enfield, 60 at Georgetown, 60 at Papakaio, 35 at Pukeuri, 100 at Omarama and 200 attended the dawn service at Hakataramea.
More than 200 attended the dawn service at Waimate and about 500 attended the mid-morning service.
SOUTH AND WEST OTAGO
Anzac services throughout South Otago and Gore were well attended, with most places reporting larger crowds than last year.
In Balclutha, the Balclutha Pipe Band led a procession of about 100 people from the War Memorial Hall to the service at the Balclutha Cenotaph, which was attended by about 300 people.
The Rev Graham Langley spoke of remembering the men and women who laid down their lives to make the world a better place.
Mr Langley spoke of the horror of war, and the inscription on the Dachau concentration camp monument - the words "Never Again", written in five languages.
At Tuapeka Mouth, a crowd of about 100 gathered at the old Tuapeka Mouth School to hear Second Lieutenant Tim Hadden talk about the Anzac spirit being forged on the beach at Gallipoli.
Members of the Tuapeka Mouth community, including the Clutha Valley Volunteer Fire Service, were joined by members of the Clydevale Presbyterian Church and New Zealand Army personnel in laying wreaths on the Tuapeka Mouth Memorial Gates.
In Lawrence, Senior Constable Robert Wallace spoke to about 250 people about his time in the Solomon Islands with the New Zealand Police, and in Milton the Rev Geoffery Vine led a service at the cenotaph, which was attended by about 500 people.
The Rev Roland Van Noppen gave a personal account of how war affects different people, speaking to a group of about 350 in the Owaka Memorial Community Centre about his mother's experiences.
In Tapanui, another personal address was given by chairman of the West Otago Community Board, Lindsay Alderton.
His father was a soldier from 1941, and left a memoir.
Mr Alderton said his address was heard by about 200 people.
Ben Har also experienced a growth in numbers attending this year.
Carl Booth was pleased 47 people came to pay their respects at the Ben Har Cenotaph.
Dr Don MacKay spoke to about 200 people in Heriot about some of the local soldiers he had researched and written about.
Alex McLaughlin spoke to "well over 100" people in Kaitangata.
The Rev Graham Langley spoke again at the Clinton Anzac service, which included Major Magnus Latta, O. C. for military police in New Zealand.
Parade Marshal Michael O'Neill said about 800 people attended the Gore services.
About 100 people marched in the parade from the National Bank to the cenotaph.
WAKATIPU
In Queenstown, the sky was gloomy on Anzac Day morning, but the rain held off as about 1000 people gathered at the Memorial Gate on Marine Pde beside Lake Wakatipu to follow the 9.30am parade towards the Memorial Hall.
Crowds watched the parade along Church St, Camp St, Shotover St and Memorial St, and about 700 people filled the seats, aisles and balconies inside the Memorial Hall to hear the service held by the Queenstown RSA.
The Rev Keith Reddell, pastor of the Queenstown Baptist Church, conducted the service.
He was accompanied by the Queenstown Community Choir and Mark Wilson, of Queenstown, on the piano.
Queenstown RSA president David Geddes told of his trip to Gallipoli last year and spoke of the Anzac celebrations as a commemoration of those who fought for our freedom, and of the time where New Zealand found its own national identity.
After the service, Queenstown Mayor Clive Geddes said he was pleased to see such a large crowd at the parade and service.
"I am particularly delighted to see so many young children here. It bodes well for the future that we remember the past. I am proud to see so many people line the streets to watch the parade - and to see that most shops were closed in respect," Mr Geddes said.
After the service, the crowd moved outside to the cross at the Memorial Hall where Anzac Day service co-ordinator Lyall McGregor led the rest of the service, with Trevor Tattersfield performing the Last Post.
As a solemn air of respect and remembrance surrounded the laying of wreaths, the rain started falling.
In Arrowtown, the weather held out for the parade towards Memorial Hill after the Anzac Day service, which was held at the Athenaeum Hall at 10.30am.
The Rev Anthony Harrison, who is also Territorial Force chaplain, conducted the service, which Arrowtown RSA president Rupert Iles said was attended by around 700 people.
"It was a very moving day, and it was awesome to see the large crowd following us up to the Memorial Hill, where Martin Wightman played the Last Post and reveille. It started raining lightly as the wreaths were laid, and shortly after, the sky opened," Mr Iles said.
He said a highlight of the day was the flight of a Mustang plane over both Arrowtown and Queenstown about 11am to honour the Anzac celebrations.
In Te Anau, heavy rain forced the RSA to move the service from the Memorial to Real Journey's Events Centre.
After a haka performed by the local kapa haka group, Fiordland RSA president Roddy McRay led about 400 people on a short parade to the centre, where the service was held by RSA chaplain Carl Lamb.
A speech was delivered by Fiordland College principal Linda Miller.
Fiordland RSA secretary Bob Yates said his branch also honoured its close ties with the scout movement, by presenting girl scout Sarah McCorkindale, of Te Anau, with an award during the Anzac service.
WANAKA
Several hundred people attended the three Upper Clutha district services at Lake Hawea, Wanaka and Tarras.
About 200 people, including four representatives from HMNZS Hawea, attended the dawn service on the peninsula at the entrance to Lake Hawea, where a wreath was laid at the flag pole.
Sub-lieutenant Adam Flaws, of Whangarei, executive officer of Hawea, spoke at the Lake Hawea service and later joined Colonel Brendon Fraher MNZM, of Dunedin, to lay a wreath at Wanaka's Cenotaph at 11am.
Col Fraher was also the guest speaker at the 9.30am service at the Lake Wanaka Centre, which drew about 400 people.
He spoke of Anzac Day "not seeking to glorify war but to reflect on services of others so we can continue to enjoy our way of life".
Lieutenant-commander Lyal Cocks, of Wanaka, paid a tribute to the late Bill King, the former Upper Clutha RSA welfare officer, who died last month.
Mr King's death had left a large void in the community RSA administration, he said.
The annual parade of returned services personnel up Ardmore St after the service attracted hundreds of followers.
A P51 Mustang flew over the crowd at the conclusion of the wreath-laying ceremony at Wanaka's Cenotaph in Chalmers St, when it immediately began to rain.
About 100 people returned to the Lake Wanaka Centre for a "digger's breakfast" and to share stories of their time in the armed services.
At least 75 people - nearly 50% of Tarras' population - attended the Tarras Memorial Hall service at 10am.
The guest speaker was retired army doctor Brigadier Brian McMahon of Dunedin.
He once had a practice in Cromwell and was well known to many of the families who attended.
Upper Clutha Anglican parish Anglican minister Denis Bartley described the mood as reverent.
Spin Lucas said the occasion was "quite touching" and provided a chance for a social catch-up.
Cromwell musicians Marie Keenan (piano) and Noeline Watson (saxophone) performed during the service.
