FEBRUARY 2002

The last Great War veteran

That old saying "old soldiers never die, they only fade away" became very pertinent with the passing, on 13 February 2003, of 14896 Bright Ernest Williams, 3rd Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade.

The memory of this old soldier will never fade. He was the last survivor of the 100,444 New Zealanders who packed up their kit bags and sailed to fight for justice and democracy in far distant lands during the Great War of 1914-18.

Wounded in the bloodbath that was Passchendaele, he was repatriated back home in December 1917, just two months before his 21st birthday.

Bright and his comrades were ordinary men who served their King and country without fanfare. His claim to fame in later years was simple - he was a survivor, this country's last New Zealand-born link with that tragic event which cost so many lives and caused so much suffering throughout the world. His death becomes a moment in history, the closing a most significant chapter in New Zealand's military heritage.

The death of Bright Williams leaves just one other First World War veteran living in New Zealand. British migrant, 101 year-old Bob Rudd, now resident in Greymouth, served with the 9th Lancers in the British Imperial Forces.

With the death of Bright Williams, we don't just remember and give thanks for his long and fruitful life, we also remember the sacrifice of all those young New Zealanders who have given their lives in battle, those who were wounded, and of course, the survivors - like Bright - who lived to make their further much-valued contribution to our society.

All members of the Royal New Zealand Returned Services' Association offer their sincere condolences and deepest sympathy to Bright's family.

He was a proud man, and we are all proud to have been associated with him.

We will remember him.