Writing to an older cousin I mentioned the war, confident that he would know I was referring to World War II. For us Baby Boomers born soon after the end of that war it will always be The War. It’s the war our parents were familiar with. My mother-in-law in particular spoke often of her experiences in London during the Blitz. My generation grew up during the Korean War and the Vietnam War, but those never gained the same resonance or the same wholehearted support.
David Hill wrote an essay this week pointing out that Armistice Day, marked at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month was about celebrating peace, whereas Anzac Day can appear to be more about glorifying war. Armistice Day is unknown to many of a younger generation in Aotearoa. A couple of years ago I was making a medical appointment and the date set was 11 November. I remarked to the young receptionist that that would be Armistice Day. She replied that the date was her birthday, but she’d never heard of Armistice Day.
In news reports, especially from Britain the war in Ukraine is becoming The War. At this morning’s Auckland Dawn Service the Ukraine flag flew over the War Memorial Museum at the request of the R.S.A. For many in Aotearoa there is more feeling of connection with this conflict than with past ones in Asian countries, and there is fear as to how it may escalate. Will this be the defining war of the future?
We wonder if war in Ukraine
will involve all the world again
Ruth's Reflections 
Being an ex Londoner myself, never once back home attended a service like they do here in NZ for Anzac Day or WW1 and WW2. My father, who served in RCAF and RAF back in England, never spoke about his experiences, being shot down and surviving, only learning now, when he has died in 1992. And finding so much about him, he was highly respected with his crew from RCAF, learnt that from ones I met when Dad was still with us.. one Crewman came over from Canada to reunite with Dad… I never knew Dad had a cousin who was a Battle of Britain Pilot, since died, but is story was interesting during WW2, Wing Cmdr. Terence Kane, shot down and spent the War as a POW in Stalag and then met up with his brother also there! Never met Terry, but wonder if we passed each other in the street as where he lived at times, would have been within a few miles from us both in London, and Dorking. Surrey..
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My father-in-law enlisted in the RAF after his brother was killed over Belgium. He was already in the Fire Brigade and didn’t need to join the armed forces, but was motivated to after his brother’s death.
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Which war is always an interesting question. It amazes me that when my forbears came to Christchurch the war that veterans came from was the Crimean War. http://crimeanwarveterans.blogspot.com/search/label/Christchurch
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I had a great-uncle who died from TB contracted during the Boer War. His name is on the War Memorial in Akaroa.
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I don’t think anyone in our family was in the Boer War but my grandmother and her sister talked about the men who went to the Boer War. Altogether, just too many wars all the time. I wish we could learn how to resolve conflicts without war.
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