THE NEW ZEALAND DAWN SERVICE FOR THE SOMME

On 15 September 2016, the New Zealand Government held three ceremonies to mark 100 years since New Zealand’s involvement in the Battle of the Somme at Longueval, France. The Dawn Service took place at the New Zealand Battlefield Memorial which is positioned close to the New Zealand Division’s first objective on 15 September 1916. The service, conducted in English and French, included speeches by His Excellency Dr James Kember, New Zealand Ambassador to France, Lieutenant General Tim Keating, Chief of Defence Force New Zealand and Mr Bob Hill, Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association. link to order of service - http://ww100.govt.nz/sites/default/files/files/Somme%20Dawn%20Service.pdf The New Zealand Government thanks the French government and people and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for their support of these services.