Honouring New Zealand’s Legacy: A Dawn Remembrance Ceremony
At dawn on November 8, 2024, Beechwood Cemetery hosted a solemn and moving ceremony to honour the service and sacrifices of New Zealanders who gave their lives in conflicts around the world. The New Zealand Remembrance Ceremony brought together diplomats, military representatives, and expatriates to pay tribute to the enduring connection between Canada and New Zealand.
The event featured the New Zealand High Commissioner, Her Excellency Cecile Hillyer, as well as Commander Mark Tapsell, RNZN, New Zealand Defence Advisor to Canada. Members of the New Zealand Defence team and New Zealand expatriates joined the ceremony, creating a strong sense of community and shared purpose.
Honouring Sergeant Pilot Blyth Kempton-Werohia
The ceremony centred on remembrance, with a special tribute to Sergeant Pilot Blyth Kempton-Werohia, a member of the Royal New Zealand Air Force who trained in Canada during World War II. Born in Te Puke, New Zealand, in 1921, Kempton-Werohia was the son of Whetu Henare Kempton-Werohia and Margery Dinah Kempton-Werohia.
Sergeant Kempton-Werohia completed his training under the Commonwealth Air Training Plan at the Royal Canadian Air Force’s No. 6 Service Flying Training School in Dunnville, Ontario. After earning his wings in Rockcliffe in June 1942, he was posted to No. 31 Bombing and Gunnery School in Picton, Ontario.
Tragically, his life was cut short on August 14, 1942, when his aircraft crashed into Lake Ontario. Just 21 years old, he died one week before his planned wedding to Margaret Mary Humble. As part of the ceremony, a wreath was laid at Sergeant Kempton-Werohia’s headstone.
The solemn act of remembrance, accompanied by poppy placements, served as a heartfelt tribute to his sacrifice and to the countless New Zealanders who served far from home.
Reflecting the rich cultural heritage of New Zealand, part of the ceremony was conducted in Te Reo Māori, the language of the Māori people. The karakia (prayer) was a deeply spiritual moment, invoking blessings and honouring the memory of those who served. The inclusion of Te Reo Māori highlighted the importance of cultural identity and unity in remembrance.
High Commissioner Cecile Hillyer, Commander Tapsell and the defense team delivered powerful reflections, emphasizing the strong bonds between Canada and New Zealand, forged through shared sacrifices and collective values.
The ceremony concluded with the national anthems of both New Zealand (Aotearoa) and Canada. During the Canadian anthem, a fly-past of Canadian geese soared overhead, a fitting and serendipitous tribute to the natural beauty and freedom that these nations hold dear. The playing of both anthems symbolized the enduring friendship and mutual respect between New Zealand and Canada, bringing the event to a moving close.
As the sun rose over Beechwood Cemetery, the participants—representing a cross-section of diplomats, military personnel, and expatriates—dispersed with a renewed commitment to ensuring that the sacrifices of the past are remembered and honoured.
The ceremony was a powerful reminder of the strength of shared values, the beauty of cultural diversity, and the importance of remembrance. Through stories like that of Sergeant Kempton-Werohia and symbols like the New Zealand and Canadian anthems, we carry forward the legacy of those who served.
Lest We Forget.