New Zealander honoured to mark 50th birthday at Wick's Anzac Day commemoration
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New Zealander Tim Brinkley said it was an honour to mark his 50th birthday by taking part in Wick's Anzac Day commemoration.
He and his wife Nikkie are touring in Scotland and arranged to be in Wick today for the annual ceremony at the town's war graves.
The couple, from Hamilton, North Island, were among those who braved a hailstorm to pay their respects.
Anzac Day is held on April 25 each year. It began as a way of commemorating members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (Anzac) who served at Gallipoli in 1915 during World War I.
A dozen Australians and New Zealanders who died in World War II are buried in Wick cemetery and the local service is organised by the Wick, Canisbay and Latheron branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland.
Nikkie said: “It is actually Tim's birthday and I said to him, 'What do you want to do on your 50th?' And this is what he wanted to do, so that's what we're doing.”
Tim said: “It is an important day to us in New Zealand. We're just so happy that in the far reaches of Scotland it is being remembered. I am very honoured to be here.”
The couple placed small flags on the New Zealand graves, while Callum Scott Atherton, from Queensland, laid the Australian flags. He served in the Australian army and is currently working in Caithness.
Callum then raised a hip flask of whisky as a toast to his fallen countrymen.
“I didn't want them to go thirsty," he said, adding that he felt "very honoured" to take part in the commemoration.
"A lot more people than I expected came out," Callum said. "The weather is terrible and they all made time in their day to come out and honour the Anzacs. It is very touching.”
Piper Alasdair Miller, of Wick RBLS Pipe Band, played The Green Hills of Tyrol and Flowers of the Forest and the Rev Lyall Rennie gave a reading before Willie Watt, Vice-Lieutenant of Caithness, laid a poppy wreath.
A two-minute silence was observed as a mark of respect.
A short service also took place at the grave of General Sir Henry Horne of Stirkoke, at the other side of the cemetery, where Mr Watt laid another wreath. General Lord Horne was instrumental in the success of the Gallipoli evacuation.
Mr Watt said: “I think it's vital to have an Anzac Day commemoration here in Caithness, considering how far they travelled to help us win the war and give us long-term peace.
“It was nice to see New Zealanders and an Australian here today to join us in the hailstones that we endured. It was very little hardship for us to do what we did today.”
Mr Rennie said: “We have to remember that it was a world war and it involved all the world. We've got to be thankful for other countries as well.
“It's important on Anzac Day that we remember the contribution of Australian and New Zealand people, and others throughout the world, so that we can enjoy the freedom and peace that we have today. It's important to remember.”
