RobiNZ Personal Blog

Over a century, and about a week, of memorials...

It's ANZAC day today and my Great Grandfather, Ernest Bock, was one of so many who went to war and didn't come back. On Saturday I attended the celebration of Paul Rodler’s life. A work colleague, friend, who drove to work on Monday 17th April and, after a tragic road collision, didn't come back. Although we both left TWG a few years ago still used to catch up occasionally. Last time, in early Feb, he gave me heaps (as was his style) for turning up to dinner on a bicycle, on my work bike/train commute, even more so when I... Read more →

An ANZAC Day without (voluntary) freedom

Seems odd to be locked in*, albeit voluntarily and for good reason, while commemorating those who gave up everything for freedom. ANZAC Day, 25 April, is the anniversary of the first landings, the invasion, that began the Australia and New Zealand Army Corp Gallipoli campaign in World War One. This does not commemorate a victory or even the worst battle in terms of loss of life. More New Zealanders were lost in battles on the Western Front (including my great grandfather) but ANZAC Day has gained special significance. It’s evolved to become the day when we honour all who served,... Read more →

ANZAC Day 2017

Although I didn’t attend a memorial service the day 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... Read more →

ANZAC Day 2013

Although I didn’t attend a memorial service the day 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... Read more →

ANZAC Day

Today is ANZAC Day which commemorates the New Zealanders killed in war and honours returned servicemen and women. It’s always a time to reflect, just one of the millions was my Mums Grandfather who died on the battlefield in the last few months of World War One (which ended 11th November – 1918). 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 Commemorated in perpetuity by... Read more →

ANZAC Day

Today is ANZAC Day which commemorates the New Zealanders killed in war and honours returned servicemen and women. It’s always a time to reflect, just one of the millions was my Mums Grandfather who... Read more →

ANZAC Day 2008, in Vietnam

Although ANZAC Day is always significant I will remember 25 April 2008. I was on a cycle tour of Vietnam with a neat bunch of people from New Zealand, Australia, Holland and Japan. It was was a non-riding day, a bus ride from Hue to Hoi An. Over the trip our Vietnamese guide had shared quite a lot of his life story. He was a child in the war, his father had served with the South Vietnamese army, alongside US (and I presume ANZAC) which meant a hard life post war. Some of his family had escaped to the U.S.,... Read more →

ANZAC Day

I’m in the USA today so there will be no local ANZAC Day commemoration. ANZAC Day - Memory of Private ERNEST THEODORE BOCK Read more →

ANZAC Day

Today is ANZAC Day which commemorates the New Zealanders killed in war and honours returned servicemen and women. It’s always a time to reflect but this one is special as my Aunt, moms sister, is currently in France and soon to visit the memorial to her Grandfather who died on the battlefield in the last few weeks of World War One (which ended 11th November – 1918). 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... Read more →

ANZAC Day

ANZAC Day, 25 April, is the anniversary of the landings that began the Australia and New Zealand Army Corp Gallipoli campaign in World War One. This does not commemorate a victory or even the worst battle in terms of loss of life. More New Zealanders were lost in battles on the Western Front (including my great grandfather) but ANZAC Day has gained special significance. Initially a commemoration of the Gallipoli campaign it’s evolved to become the day when we honour all who served, both returned and dead, in all wars. The day has similar importance in Australia, New Zealand's partner... Read more →