Veteran Stanley Welch, 100, at the Anzac Day National Commemoration in Wellington, 2025. Photo: RNZ / Reece Baker
Among those at the Anzac commemorations included 100-year-old war veteran Stanley Welch who watched his great-grandson lay a wreath at the National Commemoration in Wellington.
Welch fought in the English Royal Navy in World War II and as part of the Royal New Zealand Navy as a naval communicator.
His great-grandson Kayden Fisher alongside Wen Zhu, representing Youth Australia, laid a wreath on behalf of the youth of New Zealand and Australia.
Veteran Stanley Welch, 100, and his great-grandson Kayden Fisher at the Anzac Day National Commemoration in Wellington, 2025. Photo: RNZ / Reece Baker
Speaking after the service, Welch reflected on his time in World War II and recalled an embarrassing moment during the Normandy landings involving future US president, General Dwight D Eisenhower.
He had the honour of taking Eisenhower onboard the ship he was on.
But Welch said everything wasn't smooth sailing when Eisenhower asked to get closer to the action.
"The bridge was so packed with press that the captain sent the navigation officer down to get back to space. He went the wrong side of the buoy and ran aground with Eisenhower onboard. And Eisenhower turned around and said gee, I guess we've got a flat," Welch laughed softly.
Welch said the real cost of war is the innocent lives lost.
He reflected on living in London during the Blitz when he was a teenager.
"People tend to forget about the civilians ... the way that people actually set up, and you get some people like the fire brigade and you get ambulances and all those people working under those conditions which was like being in the services in some ways."
He said two of his uncles were killed in WWI, one a prisoner of war and the other who had his arm cut off.
He started attending Anzac Day services when he joined the Russian Convoy Club to reflect on different memories.
"It's nice for people who haven't been in the services to appreciate what people have done," Welch said.
His great-grandson Fisher said the day is very special and holds a lot of significance to him, especially with his great-grandfather.
While placing the wreath on the grave of the unknown warrior he reflected on if he would ever follow in his great-grandfather's footsteps.
"I was wondering what was going to come in the future, to be honest... would I ever be a veteran if I ever join the military or what might happen when I'm his age?" Fisher said.
Fisher said thinking about the sacrifice is horrific.
"It's a terrible thing, would never want it to happen to anyone, especially to people that I know of.
"People dying all the time, it's horrible and a lot of the time it does seem like we're going to go back into it but it's good to be hopeful."
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