Category: ANZAC

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Life in the South: Recent Images in the Life of a Southern Man June 13

Ocean Ridge Kaikoura. A great spot.

Kaikoura local. Chilling out.

Kaikoura. The coast north.

Mt Diamond. Hunter Hills South Canterbury. Home.

Redcliffs Chrischurch. Sunrise in June 13

Port Hills looking down into Lyttleton. May 13

Yomping it with the Army. Otago May 13

Sunrise over South Shore Christchurch, May 13

These boots were made for walking. Army May 13.

Roast lamb. Gold!

A Southern Man giving an ANZAC address. 25 April 3013.

Te Papa, Wellington. April 13

Hunter Hills. Garden at home. April 13

On the move. May 13.

Back yard. Hunter. May 13

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"Keeping the Peace" – Someones Got to Do It!

A foreword Greg wrote in my book that means a lot.

As you go through life people tend to come and go. Some mates stay a short time and others are a constant & stay forever. These long term friends know a lot about you (some would say too much so you better stay close) and have shared lifes journey. If you add to that shared experience through good times and bad then you form a close bond.

A life long friend of mine is Greg Allnutt. Our paths crossed intially during sport in primary school when country schools got together in South Canterbury sometime in 1980 or 81. It wasn’t until third form and High School that we became good friends and throughout our high school years we were in the same class. We played rugby together and used to stay at each others place. He lived in the Waimate township and I came from a farm in the Hunter Hills. Good friends we were and we had a lot of fun. 
Greg was a keen outdoor lad. Fishing, hunting, camping, a great runner, a talented swimmer and a bit of a nut on the rugby field with blistering tackles. He had a great sense of humour, an angry side if pushed (and he often was) and was known to hold a grudge until such time as he could pay you back in full! He was good on his feet public speaking and did well academically. At the end of our sixth form year Greg went into the NZ Army as a Cadet. His trips home on leave and the stories he told influenced my decision to join the Army myself.
In January of 1987 I joined the Army and after year of intial training and study at University was sent for my Officer Training at the Officer Cadet School in Waiouru. Greg was also in this class as was another good school friend, Nathan Richardson. That year was a blur of leadership training, fitness, academic study and practical assessment in leadership roles in wet and cold situations that deprived us of sleep & food. We loved it (well looking  back on it). At the end of that year our paths seperated as we pursued our careers in different locations but continued to cross. I worked with Greg on promotion courses, sometimes as students together, once he was instructing, we shared a trip to Hong Kong and an operational tour in Angola (but not at the same time). We flatted together for a while, socialised together and had a similar circle of friends at various times. Over our many years as mates we have played sport together, been wet, cold and hungry, tired, partied, celebrated weddings, laughed,  & stayed in touch. Often it would be years between seeing each other.
So I wasn’t surprised when he decided to write his book because he had a hell of a story to tell. I first knew of it when I got an e-mail out of the blue seeking permission to use my photo & name. I was also stoked to be one of the first few to get a copy to read. “Keeping the Peace – A Kiwi’s Modern Conflict Experience” is a tale of Greg’s operational postings into conflict zones with the New Zealand Army. It also tells of his life leading to enlistment and some of the events along the way. I really enjoyed reading it, not just because I knew much of his story and many of those featured in the book, but because I learnt quite a lot about him. His perceptions, insights into life overseas with the Army and his reflections made it a book I read in only several sessions. 
The thing I admire the most about Greg (besides his courage to write his story) is that he is a good genuine bloke. He is a straight shooter, he has a wickedly sharp wit and most of all we can get together and have a beer after over 30 years of friendship. 
Now thats a good Southern Man and an ANZAC who has done more than his bit for service of his country. New Zealand needs more Greg Allnutts……people who don’t just talk about things, they actually go into harms way and do things to make the world a better place.
Onward Greg and thanks for everything you have taught me over the years and the example you have set.
Like this? Check these other ANZAC Stuff I have written;



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Some Pics of My Life in the South 2012

Mum feeding out to sheep. Heavy snow, South Canterbury. A few years back!

A farmer and her dog.

A new family of ducks…..The duck pond at the drive gate to our farm.
Out Harley riding. Freedom!

Backyard family soccer game! Serious stuff

Evening shot, Sumner, Christchurch…..home Sept 12

So true…….do something that scares you on a regular basis!
The farm 2012: A Southern man.

A friend of mine biking around Christchurch to Board meetings. An asian tourist took this pic of him at the lights and text it to him. Random!

I love this story from a US local newspaper. You need to try not to fall!

Navigating in the bush, Oxford, Canterbury. The Army Reserve jungle training.
A Harley “Ride for the Fallen”. President of the Patriots, a military charitable club is one of the riders raising money for the families of servicemen & women killed or injured serving their country.

The family cat is an alien….evidence in this pic curled up on the couch.

Can’t beat an army dinner. Dunedin Oct 12

A view from our Auckland office taken during a visit. A long way from the south!

Pet lambs. Rosey (junior) and George hoover some milk.

The road to Dunedin. The beach that parallels the Main Highway North of Palmerston.

Oh joy…..finding my seat at the primary schools 2 hour musical is right behind the woman with an enormous head = missed a lot of the action!

Ride for the Fallen. At Burnham military camp taking kids for rides and raising money for the fallen.
A cold spring morning……sunrise in Christchurch on a frosty morning as kids head off to the school bus. Aug 12

Walking on Sumner beach…..a chilly evening in Aug 12

Farmers yearning by the ute. South Canterbury.

A pic taken a number of years ago of the “hut”. An old (1880’s) cottage then shearers quarters at our wool shed on the farm. South Canterbury.

Feeding out on the farm after weeks of rain in August 12. A muddy job.

Leaving a few footprints on the beach south of Kaikoura. An early morning walk Sep 12

Brothers in arms about to go into action. Dunedin, Oct 2012. Inter Battalion rugby for the Army Reserve.
“Taking to his scrapers.” A soldier of the NZ Army Reserve moving fast. Arthurs pass training area.

A random lone sheep hanging out in the middle of a river bed. Lake Lyndon area, Arthurs Pass.

A soldier of the 2nd Battalion, NZ Army Reserve takes a breather. Canterbury.

Like these pics of life in the south of NZ. Check these other posting out;

Time out: Recent pics from the Beautiful south of NZ

The Blast ANZAC collection: 2011: A few memories

A South Island Autumn. May of 2012

Summer Holidays in the South & Other Places

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The ANZAC Legend Didn’t Mention Mud and Blood and Tears…..

One the 25th the country will remember officially those who have served, currently serve and those who sacrificed their lives for our country. For those of us who share a close link with the military it occupies a special place in our lives. It is a time to get together, share with family and to remember the friendships, the fun times and the not so fun times.

R.I.P Leonard Manning. He is one of a number who in recent years have died in combat.

I was 17 when i joined the Army and despite knowing the stories and legends of those who had served no one mentioned the mud, blood, sweat and tears involved in serving. The time away from home and family, the times when it crossed your mind that getting home in one piece might be a bit of a challenge.

R.I.P. those men of my home community who gave their lives all those years ago. Lest we forget.

This week I will be remembering those who didn’t make it, those who have been badly injured, those who have suffered mentally from their service. Most importantly I spare a thought for those members of our Armed Forces who are in harms way right now doing their bit at the sharp end of our countries foreign policy…….and punching above their weight. I will take time to remember those New Zealanders who have died on active duty over this past 12 months and for their families.

Lest we forget.

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A Visit to Crete: Some ANZAC Photos

Monastery on Crete where many Kiwis sought shelter after being left behind on Crete.
Captain George Brown of Nelson. A good friend of mine who died several years ago. When I visited Crete George was there for the first time since he was wounded, left behind and became a prisoner of war. He was shot in the knee by a sniper and had his leg amputated by a German military doctor. George was the Second in Command of the company which included Charles Upham. It was Charles Upham and a number of other soldiers that ripped a door off a house and carried George in to medical help when he was wounded. This picture was taken at the Galatas memorial for New Zealanders on Crete.

Rangi Sewell was 16 years old on Crete. A member of 28 Maori Battalion, he told some fine stories of his time as a runner. He spent a lot of time taking messages on foot between various units as the german parachute assault took place. He recalls the bayonet charge that the New Zealanders did and in which 28 Maori Battalion took part. I took this picture of Rangi talking to international media.

This picture was taken in the main German cemetery on Crete. Looking out to sea an over the Maleme airfield which was defended by the New Zealanders. This airfield was the focus of the German attack and was the scene of fierce fighting. The German cemetery is not allowed to have headstones standing and there are two men in each plot. The German’s are still not so welcome on Crete.

Two South Canterbury Crete Veterans. Both hard cases. Alan Hepburn ( Ashburton) and Bernie Dynes (Pleasant Point, who were in the official party to Crete, in front of the New Zealand memorial at Galatas on the evening of the official New Zealand commemorations, 18 May 2001. Alan was left behind on Crete and was on the run for 12 months. He wept when we visited the monastery and recalled the kindness shown to then and the risks taken by the priests during the German occupation. He was caught by an undercover German officer who asked for the time in English and before he could think he replied. A period of time as a prisoner of war followed.
Wayne Mapp, MP (now Minister of Defence), and New Zealand Crete veteran, Sonny Sewell, lay a wreath at the Australian
   memorial at Stavramenos, 18 May 2001


A German veteran of the battle at the German war cemetery, Maleme. I took this photo of this paratrooper after trying to talk with him. He was a nasty bit of work and was not at all friendly.
                                  Suda Bay War cemetery. A beautiful spot on the beach front.
Some further historical photos of the battle for Crete link here.
Read more of my stuff by linking here.
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Bush Bashing & Finding the Canterbury Lads: Galipolli 2000

I have been to Galipolli twice. The first time I did not land but rather cruised up the Dardanelles on a ship. The next time I joined the small group of NZ soldiers serving in Bosnia with NATO. It was the 85th anniversary of the landings so there was a huge crowd expected. We visited the museum the day before ANZAC day and got our heads around the sheer presence of the place. The museum is packed full of shocking photos, artifacts, human bones and interesting things like bullets that had hit each other in mid air and melded together! It was a day of taking it all in. I visited ANZAC cove where the Kiwis came ashore and saw the first cemetery that had New Zealand men. Many so young, most under 20.

ANZAC cove was quite an emotional sort of a place. As a soldier it was a campaign I had studied and heard so much about. It was a defining moment in the history of our country, certainly of the NZ Army. I think the thing that affected me the most was understanding just how far away from home these men were and just how big the task was they were expected to do first up in a long war!

ANZAC day itself was heaving. The Australian and New Zealand Prime Ministers were present and so were a large NZ Army contingent do the formal ceremonial parades and memorial guards. The Bosnia Contingent left two vans in the huge line of traffic and we walked the last few km to the Dawn Service. The road was littered with bumper to bumper traffic and there were many thousands of Aussie and Kiwi backpackers. The sunrise over ANZAC cove and the service gave the place a mystical feel and the crowd was very silent. The bugler doing the Last Post chilled us all.

The rest of the day was spent walking up the cliffs and visiting the ceremonys and many different battle memorials. I enjoyed the main Australian service at “Lone Pine” and then the New Zealand ceremony at the “Chunk Bair” memorial. The New Zealand Defence Force Cultural Group performed the Haka and the Prime Minister spoke. Turkish soldiers had a very high profile presence as part of the security. This first photo was taken at the Chunuk Bair Memorial.

After the service and reading the role of those killed from many New Zealand Regiments, we decided that rather than take the long track back down the cliffs, the direct “bush bashing route down a large ridge line would be a better way to get to the vehicles. The Infantry Section that was with us led the push with the scouts up front finding the way through heavy scrub, blackberry type bush, rusted equipment and trenches. After  a long walk through a river bed finding small plots full of Indian and Canadian soldiers, we came across a small cemetery of 25-30 plots. Closer inspection found it was in the main full of men from the Canterbury Regiment at “Outpost 1”.  This second picture is taken in this quiet spot.

Researching it after I returned to NZ it seems these men were killed trying to outflank the enemy. Caught in the open by raking machine guns. Our drivers walked back for the vehicles while the remainder of us waited in the sun in that quiet spot for several hours. I spent the time reading each headstone and leaving poppies.  It felt good to be with these guys for a while because given their location so far from the main walkways it was obvious not many visited them.

Gallipoli for me was just somewhere I had to go in my life. It was a “bucket list thing” I now realise and the experience was amazing. Turkey is such a full on diverse place but the people are warm and friendly and whilst they without doubt enjoy the tourists dollars that the area brings, they genuinely seem to care. The plots and sites are well tended and looked after and their attitude is quite refreshing. Then there is the carpet trade they rob you blind on, but that is another story!

As ANZAC day rolls around I always reflect on those guys who stepped up, got stuck in and now lie so far from home. That is why we remember them.

Like this article? Other ANZAC Tributes and Topics

ANZAC: Johnny McNutt- A Good Southern Man: RIP Published 21 Apr 10

The “Ted d’Augvergne Bottle in the Hotel” story. A tale of intrigue from Waimate, NZ. Published 19 Apr 10

Who the Hell is Private David Nelson Wright? A local man killed in Vietnam. Published 5 Feb 10


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ANZAC: The Ted d’Auvergne (Bottle of Beer) Story

Private Ted d’Auvergne was a farm lad from my home town of Waimate. Well to be exact he came from a little settlement just through the Waimate Gorge called Waihao Forks. I have known of his story since I was a very young and I was lucky enough to find myself in Crete, Greece for the 60th anniversary of the German airborne invasion.

During this time the New Zealand Division fought hard to repel the attack from a huge airborne German force which dropped from the sky but along with other allied troops were forced to withdraw from the Island.

You can read the finer details of Ted’s story here (link). In summary;

  • Before catching the train to war Ted stopped in for a beer at the Waihao Forks Hotel (as you do!).
  • He left one bottle behind the bar with the publican with the intention of drinking it on his way home (from the war).
  • He was killed in action during the fighting on Crete and was buried there.
  • The bottle has been handed on as the pub has changed hands and is now in a small protected case which sits in the corner of the bar.
  • Each ANZAC day a small local service takes place and a poppie is put into the case.
Having attended one of these services at the Hotel and given the local connection I was determined to find his resting place in the huge Suda Bay cemetary. It took a while to find and to be honest it was quite a moving moment to stand there with him and read his headstone. He lies amongst other young New Zealanders, a very long way from home  and I had someone snap this picture of his headstone.
Thanks for doing your bit Ted. Sorry you didn’t make it home to drink that bottle of beer.
Lest we forget.