Commemorating 100 years since the end of WWI, November 11^th 2018 

Early on Sunday morning, College students Jack Frewin, Cameron Dean, David Liu, Lachlan Dean represented The Saint Kentigern Pipes & Drums as they played their part in Battle’s Over, an international commemoration marking 100 years since the guns fell silent at the end of World War I. 

The Battle’s Over began at 6am outside the Chapel of Saint Kentigern with pipers playing ‘When the Battle’s Over,’ a traditional Scottish air played after a battle, following which, a specially written tribute was read out by the students.  With New Zealanders first to see the sun, we started off the international event, with 1,200 pipers following suit in individual locations within their local communities around the globe. 

The event commemorates the 1918 WWI Armistice of Compiègne, which was signed between the Allies and Germany at 6am and then came into force at 11am on the 11th day of the 11^th month.  It marked the end of the fighting on the Western Front and ultimately the end of the Great War; that terrible, gruelling four-year conflict that saw millions killed and wounded, including around 1,200 pipers. 

The day was marked with events throughout the world, at scores of locations, including our own marks of remembrance in in New Zealand, along with the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, New Zealand, Ireland, Australia, Bermuda, France, Belgium, Canada, the United States and Germany, to name but a few.  1,000 church bells rang out, and ‘beacons of hope for the future’ were lit after bugles sound the last post. 

Director of the Pipes and Drums, Mr Andrew Lightfoot said, ‘We are proud to be playing a part in this historic international event to commemorate the centenary of the end of the Great War, and to recognise the contribution and sacrifice made by the men and women from our own community.’

Click here to read Tribute to the Millions'

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