ANZACs will march in Bastille Day parade in Paris

Colours and banners representing NZ WWI units parade outside New Zealand for the first time

 

Members of the New Zealand Defence Force will march in the French Bastille Day military parade in Paris on 14 July.

FILE PHOTO: Remembrance Day service at St Paul’s Cathedral, 2010.

Regimental colours and banners representing New Zealand units that served in the First World War will be paraded by 86 NZDF personnel on the Champs-Élysèes during the parade – the first time these flags have been paraded together outside of New Zealand.

The Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General Tim Keating said it was a honour to be invited to march in one of the world’s oldest and largest military parades.

“This is an historic occasion for the New Zealand Defence Force and a fitting opportunity to reaffirm our enduring relationship with France, especially during the First World War centenary,” LTGEN Keating said.

“There are more New Zealand service personnel with known and unknown graves buried in France than anywhere else in the world.”

Lieutenant Colonel Eugene Whakahoehoe will lead the contingent and wear the prestigious Ngā Tapuwae kahu huruhuru (Māori feather cloak) in recognition of his exemplary conduct and contribution to the NZDF.

The Royal New Zealand Air Force will also parade their Queen’s Colour and the Royal New Zealand Navy their White Ensign. The nine New Zealand Army regimental colours, including the Queen Alexandra’s Mounted Rifles guidon, carry First World War battle honours and represent regions across New Zealand.

Personnel from the Royal New Zealand Medical Corps, the Royal New Zealand Army Logistics Regiment and the Royal New Zealand Corps of Signals will parade their banners while the Royal New Zealand Engineers and the Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery will parade with the New Zealand national flag.

Personnel from the Royal New Zealand Dental Corps, the Royal New Zealand Military Police and NZDF Chaplaincy will march with the Royal New Zealand Nursing Corps, two of whom will be wearing replica First World War New Zealand Army Nursing Service uniforms. A Māori warrior party comprised of personnel from all three services will lead the New Zealand Defence Force contingent along Champs-Élysèes.

The Australian Defence Force has also been invited to march in this year’s Bastille Day parade and will lead the parade in the ‘Position of Honour’.

The French National Day commemorates both the Storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789, and the Fête de la Fédération which celebrated the unity of the French people on 14 July 1790.

Celebrations are held throughout France.

The ADF will lead the parade in Paris on the morning of 14 July, as it passes down the Champs-Élysées from the Arc de Triomphe.

Contingents from the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force and tri-service flag party consisting of the Australian National Flag and the ADF Ensign will participate.

In total 140 members, comprising 30 from the Royal Australian Navy, 80 from the Australian Army and 30 from the Royal Australian Air Force will participate.

Bastille Day is a French national holiday and is commemorated across the country with military parades and celebratory activities.

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