The Duke of Cambridge has given a poignant speech in memory of the New Zealand soldiers who bravely fought and died in one of the First World War’s bloodiest battles.
William was given a warm Maori greeting as he arrived in Ypres to commemorate the New Zealand servicemen who fought and died 100 years ago at the Battle of Passchendaele.
Today’s commemoration marks the centenary of 12 October 1917, a date which became known at the ‘darkest day’ for New Zealand’s armed forces.
Speaking at a centenary service commemorating the actions, valour and commitment of the Kiwis, William said that while newsreels may have described them as ordinary men and women ‘there was nothing ordinary about their service or their sacrifice’.
William performs a Hongi – a traditional Maori greeting – after arriving in Ypres today
The Duke of Cambridge has given a poignant speech in memory of the New Zealand servicemen and women
William has arrived in Ypres to commemorate the New Zealand servicemen who fought and died 100 years ago at the WWI Battle of Passchendaele
The Duke and Princess were greeted by the Maori cultural group of the New Zealand Defence Force, whose spiritual calls and chants rang out across the white headstones
On October 12, 1917 more than 840 Kiwis were killed fighting in a foreign land far from home – part of a huge toll of dead and injured both sides suffered that summer.
Today’s commemoration is being held at Tyne Cot Cemetery in Belgium’s Western Front – the world’s largest Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery.
Wearing a dark navy suit with a poppy pinned to his lapel, William is attending today’s engagement on behalf of the Queen.
The Duke met with representatives of the New Zealand Parliament and government at Tyne Cot Cemetery in Flanders, which is run by the War Graves Commission, which has responsibility for the burial space.
There will also be a ceremonial welcome from the Maori Cultural Group of the New Zealand Defence Force.
Tyne Cot cemetery is the largest Commonwealth burial ground in the world, with 11,971 servicemen buried and remembered there – 8,373 of whom are unidentified.
William gave an address on behalf of the Queen and lay a wreath at the New Zealand Memorial Wall to the Missing.
The Duke said: For New Zealanders, the loss of more than 840 men in just a few hours is seared into the national consciousness. All told, the Battle of Passchendaele would claim close to two thousand lives – a devastating toll for a country with a population of just over a million.
‘Half a world away, news of the losses was felt like a shockwave. Every death here left a shattered family there. Entire communities were robbed of their young people. No part of New Zealand was untouched by loss.’
The Prince told those at the commemoration: ‘Entire communities were robbed of their young people. No part of New Zealand was untouched by loss’
The Duke of Cambridge, representing The Queen, and Princess Astrid of Belgium have both paid tribute
The Duke of Cambridge has told descendants of New Zealand soldiers who fought and died at the Battle of Passchendaele that although we may never truly understand the conditions they endured ‘we can remember’
William said newsreels may have described them as ordinary men and women but ‘there was nothing ordinary about their service or their sacrifice’
The Duke met with representatives of the New Zealand Parliament and government at Tyne Cot Cemetery in Flanders, which is run by the War Graves Commission, which has responsibility for the burial space
The Duke of Cambridge gave a speech at the commemoration, which marks the centenary of 12 October 1917, a date which became known at the ‘darkest day’ for New Zealand’s armed forces
After the service he will take part in the unveiling of a Centenary Plinth to mark the occasion.
Later at the Tyne Cot visitor centre, he will meet New Zealand youth ambassadors and historian Ian McGibbon, who will provide a military overview of Passchendaele.
The visit will end with a lunch reception and among the guests will be Willie Apiata, the first and so far only recipient of the Victoria Cross for New Zealand.
Members of the 90-strong New Zealand Defence Force Contingent in Belgium for the commemoration.
The Prince was warmly greeted by Princess Astrid of Belgium at the event
Passchendaele: The ‘darkest day’ for New Zealand’s armed forces
Troops moving up to the trenches, some 2.5 miles East of Ypres on October 5, 1917
Britain and her Commonwealth allies suffered more than 300,000 casualties in the Battle of Passchendaele.
October 12, 1917 has become known as the darkest day of the war for the New Zealand Division, which suffered heavy loses when they were ordered to take an area called Bellevue Spur but were bogged down in shell holes under enemy fire.
On that day, more than 840 Kiwis were killed fighting in a foreign land far from home – part of a huge toll of dead and injured both sides suffered that summer.
After beginning their advance shortly before 5.30am, the New Zealanders found themselves unable to get through barbed wire or bring their guns through the thick mud.
They were exposed to German machine-gun fire from the front and the flank, and pinned down in shell craters.
Only eight days earlier, some 320 New Zealanders died during the capture of Gravenstafel Spur, one of two spurs on the ridge above Passchendaele.