Tinui ANZAC Trust member Simon Stevens at the Tinui Cenotaph. PHOTO/GIANINA SCHWANECKE
GIANINA SCHWANECKE
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Almost a century after they were first immortalised in stone, the record has finally been set straight for the men whose names are on the historic Tinui ANZAC cenotaph on Blackhill Rd.
The cenotaph was unveiled in 1924 at the old Tinui School before being moved to the War Memorial Hall in 1955, but several of the names had been misspelt or featured the wrong initials.
Last weekend, around 35 people gathered for the unveiling of the revised cenotaph.
Re-writing history was Tinui resident and Tinui ANZAC Trust member Simon Stevens.
“It was a bit of closure for the families who had their names spelt wrong,” he said.
He said it was a “surprisingly emotional” service as the settlement has a significant connection to ANZAC Day commemorations.
The first ANZAC service was held in the township in 1916.
Stevens said there were about 14 misspelt names and incorrect initials.
“Just silly little things. I’m not sure if they’d had a few beers before.”
He said he was very grateful to those who had helped with correcting the names.
Roger Hoar of Headstones Wairarapa had been trusted with setting the record straight, creating two new granite panels to cover the originals.
“We put all new names on and attached them to the memorial.”
He said it was a special job as it was likely his grandfather had done some of the original work – Headstones Wairarapa is a family business that has been run since 1901.
“It was very historic,” Hoar said.
