22
Kapiti News
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
April 25th 100 years on
Waikanae’s Suzanne McPherson with her grandmother’s Memorial Cross, given to her family following the death of her father Keith Harper in World War One. The cross, the final feature in a lengthy journey to uncover her father’s truth, was only discovered by McPherson this year.
25 April RSA MEMBERS, CITIZENS AND VISITORS
ALL WELCOME Dawn Parade Fall in at 6.20am Service at 6.25am March Off
to Un ncover Her Lost
Hospital Gates, Tutanekai Street, Paraparaumu Service at 6.30am Memorial Gates, Tutanekai Street, Paraparaumu Service Cemeteries Commemoration To be held at both Paraparaumu Service Cemeteries at 7.55am Breakfast for those who attend the Dawn Parade Traditional get-together for Members after the Citizens’ Parade If members have any queries phone the RSA on 902-7927
CITIZEN’S PARADE ANZAC DAY PROGRAMME PARAPARAUMU Parade falls in at 9.20am Service groups and public assemble inside the Hospital Gates Youth groups assemble outside the Hospital Gates Service starts on arrival at War Memorial Gates, Tutanekai Street, Paraparaumu Open Invitation Community groups/organisations and the public are warmly invited to show their respect on Anzac Day and join the Citizens’ Parade Tea and coffee for the public will be served at the RSA If you have any queries phone Gordon Strachan on 293 3775
– – PAEKA KA RIKI
CITIZENS’ COMMEMMORATION AND WREATH LAYING Fall in at 8.15am Corner Ocean Road and The Parade to march to Memorial Hall Commemoration Service and Wreath Laying 8.30am Memorial Address, Last Post and Reveille 9.15am
WAIKANAE CITIZENS’ COMMEMORATION AND WREATH LAYING
Suzanne McPherson of Waikanae was just five when her family received news that her father Keith Harper had been killed at Cassino in Italy at age 39, on February 22 1944. Wounded by a shell blast that saw him die shortly after, Keith Harper, who had served continuously with the 4th Field Regiment since December 1941, was the only New Zealand chaplain to have been killed in action during World War Two. Years on, and his daughter entered a harrowing yet enriching search for the tale of the man she lost at a tender age, extensively researching Mr Harper’s life, and writing a book in his memory, Keith Harper; Man with a Mission. Influenced by interesting accounts told to her by her mother growing up, though thirsty for a deeper understanding of her father’s life, McPherson gathered all the information she could from her family, going on to begin a world-wide search for knowledge in to his journey. “It was clear to me that he was a man with a mission, believing that wherever there were people, God was at work,” she said. “But details were sketchy, and there was so much more to complete the picture. What really were the missing details of this special man’s life in New Zealand and on the battlefields of the Middle East and Italy?”
“(Keith Harper’s) life was short, but his achievement great,” she said. “He had a wife and young family whom he adored, yet still made time and opportunity to serve others. His life was an inspiration to all who knew him, foremost among them his own family...I feel a tremendous bond with this exceptional man of love, and bravery, and endurance. My own life has been immeasurably enriched by Keith Harper, my own Daddy for such a short time. I will always be thankful for both my parents – for the father who gave his life for others and the mother who kept him alive in my mind and my heart.” Set to travel with her husband Gordon to Cassino on May 13, McPherson will attend three separate ceremonies and place poppies on her father’s grave. Keith Harper; Man with a Mission is available for sale from Paper Plus.
Published in 2012, Keith Harper; Man with a Mission tells an in-depth tale of the man she describes as having “an adventurous spirit”, and McPherson’s years of dedication to obtaining all the information she could. Included in her findings were articles written and published by her father during the war, which she miraculously tracked down. As well as shedding light on war time happenings, the articles helped to expose the life of Keith Harper, bringing her closer to the man she saw for the last time at age two. On Anzac Day McPherson will attend Kapiti’s commemoration service, wearing a Memorial Cross recently sent to her from a cousin, which had belonged to her grandmother. Only aware of its existence this year, McPherson said the crosses, presented by the Prime Minister to female relatives of men killed at war, are a sentiment to a soldier’s greatest sacrifice.
A letter sent to a then fiveyear old Suzanne McPherson from her father Keith Harper during World War Two.
Fall in 10.45am Elizabeth Street to march to War Memorial Centre Commemoration Service and Wreath Laying 11.00am
"Lest we forget"
– OTAKI
Dawn Parade and Citizens’ Commemoration Service Fall in 5.45am Otaki Memorial Hall to march to Memorial Park Commemoration Service and Wreath Laying 6.00am
Picture Perfect Framing Fine Arts Trade Guild Qualified Framer Budget to full conservation framing service Specialists in framing medals, sports memorabilia and needlework Innovative and creative design
BEATING THE RETREAT CEREMONY Servicemen’s Cemetery, Anzac Road, Otaki 4.55pm
610867AA
For further information regarding the Services at Waikanae and Otaki please contact Pat Bloxham 06 364 6221
Warren Ixer G.C.F
12 Parata St, Waikanae Ph. 04 902 5524 • kandw.ixer@xtra.co.nz