Air Force man's poignant link to Passchendaele

21 September 2007

Having two great uncles who fought on the Western Front will make Sergeant Chris Hillock’s role in the upcoming ceremonies to mark the 90th anniversary of Passchendaele even more personal.

“Two of my great uncles were killed, one fighting in France and one in Gallipoli during the First World War.  I don’t know where they are buried but I am honoured to be part of these ceremonies and have the chance to connect to my family this way,” Chris says.

Chris was born in Invercargill and attended Hagley High in Christchurch.  He joined the Air Force in 1993 as a photographer and is based at Devonport Naval Base. “My role involves covering all kinds of different activities and events and involves a lot of travel around New Zealand and the occasional trip overseas,” he says.

Some highlights from Chris’s career include serving in Bougainville for the truce monitoring and on exercise in Fiji for Tropic Astra.   “My current posting at Devonport been fantastic because it has let me see more of New Zealand as well as learn more about the Navy.”

In his spare time Chris is a member of the North Shore Coast Guard and finds the leadership, team work and navigation skills he’s learned in the Navy invaluable.

While in Belgium Chris will be part of the catafalque party (honour guard) at two ceremonies on 4 October.  The ceremonies will be attended by the Prime Minister Helen Clark, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae, Chief of Army Major General Lou Gardiner as well as New Zealand Defence Force personnel from the UK and New Zealand.

Ceremonies will be held on 4 and 12 October to honour the New Zealand soldiers who fought and died at Passchendaele.  The Battle of Passchendaele on October 12 1917 was the most tragic day in New Zealand’s military history - in just two hours more than 2800 men were killed, wounded or listed as missing in action. 

ENDS

For further information, or to interview SGT Hillock, please contact Ally Clelland, Defence Public Relations Manager (Events) Tel: 04 496 0273 or 021 569 130

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