ANZAC Day 2018

Today does not pass without remembering those who have served, one in particular.

My Mum never knew her Grandfather who died on the battlefield in the last few weeks of World War One (which ended 11th November – 1918). Although born in Australia, of German emigrants, he served for NZ where he had settled and married.

He fought for King, Country and Empire against, possibly, his own distant relatives. The world is a strange place.

In Memory of Private ERNEST THEODORE BOCK who died age 37 on 12 September 1918
29609, New Zealand Machine Gun Battalion
Husband of Isabella Jane Bock, of 19 Russell St., Linwood, Christchurch. Born in South Australia.
Remembered with honour; GREVILLERS (NEW ZEALAND) MEMORIAL

In Memory of Private ERNEST THEODORE BOCK who died age 37 on 12 September 1918
29609, New Zealand Machine Gun Battalion


Husband of Isabella Jane Bock, of 19 Russell St., Linwood, Christchurch.

Born in South Australia.
Remembered with honour; GREVILLERS (NEW ZEALAND) MEMORIAL

The photo below is a poignant memorial set up in front of the Auckland War Memorial Museum. 4799 crosses, one for every Aucklander who died in WW1. Ernest, who was from Christchurch, is not represented there but it is a sobering reminder of the impact the war had on a young country on the other side of the globe. Lest we forget.