Emma to honour relative at the Somme
A Nelson cadet will take a piece of family history with her to the Battle of the Somme centenary commemorations in France.
New Zealand Cadet Forces Warrant Officer Class Two Nelson cadet Emma Kynaston has been selected to join the New Zealand Defence Force contingent in Longueval on September 15.
The Nelson College for Girls student said she was honoured and ‘‘exceptionally proud’’ to join the commemorations where she had been asked to recite a poem.
Kynaston’s great-great uncle Alfred was part of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force Otago Regiment which left New Zealand for Europe in 1914.
Having survived the war, Alfred’s cap badge became a family heirloom, handed down through the generations.
Kynaston was given the badge which she called one of her greatest treasures.
‘‘I am taking it with me to France. I am extremely proud of it and the special significance it holds,’’ she said.
She said the ceremony in France would allow her to pay her respects to her great-great-uncle and the brave servicemen and women.
The Battle of the Somme was New Zealand’s first major engagement on the Western Front.
Over 23 days the New Zealand Division was in the battle along both sides of the River Somme and took part in five major attacks, the first on September 15, 1916. It took a huge toll on the New Zealand division with 8000 casualties and 2111 soldiers killed in action.