Commemorating those in our community who have served with the Defence forces, Marlborough Boys’ College held its Anzac service on the first day of Term Two.

The service was a rare occasion when the whole school gathered on the front field, including special guests, Mayor John Leggett, Tumuaki Mary-Jeanne Lynch from Marlborough Girls’ College, Marlborough Returned Services Association President John Cragg and RNZAF Chaplain Ken Deikema. A new feature of this year’s service was the addition of 91 commemorative wooden crosses on the front field – one for each old boy killed while serving in World War I and World War II. 

Thanks to Mr John McLean for making the crosses, Messrs Kotze and Mahoney for helping to paint them, and to Imagine Signs for putting the names on the crosses. Beginning with a karakia from Whaea Helen Joseph, the school community listened to proceedings. She was followed by the kapa haka group singing a waiata. Mr Heath delivered an address to the school reminding us of how quickly peaceful times can change, as has happened with the war in the Ukraine. 

Our students led the service, including Cultural Prefect Cameron McKenzie. Head Prefect, Liam Keagan, told the story of John Hannington Goulding and how his death at Gallipoli affected the entire community. Alex Piddington and Sam Hamilton read the Roll of Honour. Cameron McKenzie and Whaea Jacqueline Kareko read the Ode. Jack Banks played the last post, Lest we forget.