War book given to Rotorua Mayor

Steve Chadwick shows ‘Rotorua’s Role of Honour’ with Chris Grinter.

A book commemorating Rotorua enlistment in World War l has been presented to Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick.

The book, ‘Rotorua's Roll of Honour for World War One' was officially launched at Rotorua Boys' High School on May 8 amid little fanfare outside the school.

It is in essence a labour of love, an immense work, by Andrew Monk and Kevin Lyall, two RBHS old boys.

Though broadly a community effort, with a pool of funds available to defray printing costs, special interest in it was created by Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick and RBHS principal Chris Grinter.

Chadwick describes the book as 'another proud chapter in our history”.

Exceeding 600 pages, the book covers the footprints of some 107 soldiers.

Not all enlisted from Rotorua, but all had Rotorua connections, their names fixtures in the community.

Some became fathers of industry, businessmen, first class sportsmen, farmers and community leaders.

In some instances, the lure of war was a haven from suspicious activity.

While for some a sense of adventure was also apparent, in all cases they enlisted to defend the realm under siege from 12,000 miles away.

The soldiers fought mostly on The Somme and or the Dardanelles.

Steve Chadwick said the book will 'belong to the office of the mayor”.

Chris Grinter has described ‘Roll of Honour' as 'an impressive piece of work”.

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