Tinui History
Tinui's first Anzac Day
In April 1916 the New Zealand Government declared that the 25th of April would be a ‘half-holiday’ to mark the first anniversary of the Gallipoli landings. The government proposed church services, but returned servicemen made it plain that they would rather have a public service, led by an army chaplain.
Tinui Vicar, the Rev. Basil Ashcroft, noted in his Easter 1916 newsletter to parishioners that on Tuesday, 25th April (St Mark’s Day and ANZAC Day), a Service of Solemn Memorial and Intercessions would be held at 3 pm.
Also in April, Anglican bishops decreed that ‘early communion’ would be held on St Mark’s Day, 25 April 1916, in all Anglican churches throughout New Zealand.
At 7.30 am on St Mark’s Day and Anzac Day, Mr Ashcroft - in common with all Anglican churches across New Zealand - conducted a service of Holy Communion in the Church of the Good Shepherd, Tinui, with 11 communicants. This was not an Anzac Day service, although it is likely that those who attended it went to the afternoon Anzac Memorial Service in the Tinui Town Hall.
Since the 1980s misunderstandings have arisen over this communion service held in the Church of the Good Shepherd as being the “first Anzac service in New Zealand.” There is no evidence to support this.
Tinui Scouts mark Anzac Day
At 9 am on the morning of 25 April 1916, the Tinui Scouts, under the leadership of Vicar Basil Ashcroft, assembled on the road below the Tinui Town Hall.
A Union Jack flag, won at auction the previous year by Mr C F Vallance, was presented to the children of Tinui and unfurled at the Town Hall.
Bugler Hancock, of the 13th Reinforcements, on final leave from Featherston Military Camp, “sounded the salute,” after which the National Anthem God save the King was sung.
After this ceremony, morning tea was provided for the scouts at Tinui Station, the home of Mr and Mrs Maunsell.
On 15 January 1902 Arthur Fannin married Grace Groves at Bushgrove, amid a great assembly of Groves family and friends. The homestead in the background is the second Bushgrove homestead. It was built in 1895 and destroyed by fire in 1921. 05-39/P-K-1-1
Welcome to Tinui History. If you're exploring Family History or local history of the north-eastern Wairarapa you're in the right place.
This website includes history, events, organisations and people from Tinui | Blairlogie | Annedale | Mataikona | Castlepoint | Riversdale Beach | Whareama | Homewood | Kaiwhata | Awatoitoi | Carswell | Tauweru/Taueru.
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Most Tinui Anglican Parish records - which includes church activity, such as baptisms and marriages, as well as vestry meeting minutes, are available. These records are transcribed, with a scanned copy of the original document.
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