Anzac day on Pitcairn 25th April 2022. Written by Meralda Warren

Dem Sullun nawa gwen groe ole semes ucklan laf gwen groe ole

Age nor gwen futto dem ulla hem years dreag daun

Un when har sun se gorn daun un een a morning

Wi gwen a sink orf dem

They shall not grow old-As we that are left grow old

Age shall not weary them-Or the years condemn

At the going down of the sun-And in the Morning

We shall remember them

As the sun stirs and started to rise a few drops of rain sprinkled the Island then cleared up.

The ding of my phone sounded as my Grand niece Cushana texted me to get up.

A quick shower dressed and checking to see if mum will join me but hearing her snore, I left her in bed and headed next door to the square.

The lit-up square in all its glory was so good to see. The flags, the photos of our Pitcairn men who served in the second world war stood proudly on an easel.

The square was decorated the afternoon before with flowers and greenery, some with coloured leaves that made the Square looking good. The Artwork the 3 girls at school have made both this year and last year graced the whole designated area.

The wreaths to be laid by the chosen ones laid in place on the table.

The program handed out. Poppies made from felt were pinned in place.

A hushed silence of respect grew as we all took our seats and waited.

The Sea Scouts lined up and stood to attention.

The Bell toil as each of the three girls rang it 5 hits each.

The Pitcairn flag flying at half-mast above them on the pole.

They fell in line and marched around to the front and passed the Bounty anchor before stopping to the side and standing at ease before sitting on their chairs.

Leslie Jaques welcomed everyone and then the Hymn Morning has Broken was sung by all.

The Poem In Flanders field was read by Shawn Christian followed by Charlene Warren our Mayor who read her Address to the community.

The Pitcairn Roll of Honour was read out by our 3 girls, the Pitcairn Sea Scouts.

The laying of the wreaths took place next Led by the sea Scouts, Administrator Colin Lehmann on behal of United Kingdom, Michele Christian on behalf of Australia, Nadine Faulkner on behalf of New Zealand, and Dennis Christian on behalf of Pitcairn.

The Ode written by Laurence Binyon was read by Cushana Warren-Peu

Followed by the music The Last Post and a minute of Silence.

A closing pray followed by singing In the Sweet bye and bye.

Lest we forget.

A morning breakfast was in order and folks chatted whilst sipping their hot drinks and enjoying Anzac biscuits and other wonderful food.

Some paid respect to the Pitcairner’s who served, some stood in front of the wreaths that were laid next to the Bounty Anchor whilst family photos were taken.

As a youngster growing up, I heard the stories told of our men who have served not in the 1^st world war but in the second.

My Grandfather Christy and his brother Maynard will talk about their brother Wilfred Warren who went of to war. Sadly, he was killed not in war but at the race track in Sydney Australia.

The medals that were given to him was kept by them. Every Anzac day that was celebrated in remembrance, Wilfred’s medals were laid out to be seen. We didn’t know if it left the island when the cousin who was looking after it packed up and left Pitcairn some time ago. We can only hope that it is still being looked after.

Floyd McCoy was around when we were young. His medals were in a glass cabinet in their sitting room. He didn’t talk about his war experience in general, but he and Wilfred Warren served together alongside of the NZ Infantry.

Other Pitcairner’s I met in NZ who had gone to war told me snippets of their stories in 1979.

I can remember as a child the Anzac service held in the square and the .22 gun that was fired by my Grandfather Christy to pay tribute. The tears running down Pa’s cheeks. I didn’t know why then but being in my 60s now, I can now understand a bit the emotions they were going through.

One story I love hearing is how the Pitcairn People wanted to help with looking after the war effected people and they expressed to NY that Pitcairn is willing to look after some of them. Transport to Pitcairn wasn’t that easy so instead the Pitcairner’s made Walking canes and sent them of for the wounded soldiers who needed them.

Oranges were harvested, crated, and sent to NZ to be sent to the soldiers. Also, The NY Association for the Blind announced in July of 1944 that they have received from Pitcairn 121 Hand carved canes that Arthur Young had arranged for fellow Islanders to carve and was sent to New York. Each one had Pitcairn Island carved on the head.

In the sweet, bye and bye, we shall meet on that beautiful shore.