We shall remember them

About 100 returned services personnel stood silent beside friends and family members at the Cenotaph in Queen Elizabeth Park in Masterton yesterday to remember fallen comrades.

The Armistice Day service is a ceremony of remembrance for all members of the New Zealand military who fell in battle, with particular significance for the soldiers killed in World War I.

Reverend Ted Dashfield led the Masterton service, which began at 11am - the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month - to recognise the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I in 1918.

Bob Hill, president of the Masterton Returned and Services Association, said VIP guests included Masterton Mayor Garry Daniell, vice president of the Royal New Zealand RSA David Maloney, and British High Commission representative Sharon McGregor-Bell.

Young officers of Masterton's 21 Squadron Air Training Corps stood vigil throughout the service and the Masterton District Brass Band provided music, with trumpeter Ted Paris sounding the Last Post.

Mr Hill said 14 medals and a certificate of appreciation were awarded to Masterton returned services members after the ceremony.

World War I aircraft flew mock battles at Hood Aerodrome on Saturday and the airshow included the debut of four new Vintage Aviator planes.

More than 20 aircraft were featured at the show, in a series of mock dogfights and handling displays.

There were also debut flights by a pair of 1916 Sopwith Pups with original 1916 Le Rhone rotary engines, a 1916 Royal Aircraft Factory RE8 and an Albatros DVa.

The show featured barnstorming acts from between-the-wars aircraft types and a display by the Old Stick and Rudder Company's World War II Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk.