A ceremony to mark a century since New Zealand's first combat fatality in World War 1 holds particular significance for Dunedin woman Lynley Mackenzie.
At 11am today, a ceremony in Nelson will mark the death of Private William Arthur Ham.
He died three days after a Turkish bullet ricocheted off his rifle and shattered his spine during the British Forces defence of the Suez Canal in 1915.
His niece, Mrs Mackenzie (81), is still moved by the death. Mrs Mackenzie's eyes well up with tears at the thought of his sacrifice.
''It makes me all sort of weepy,'' she said, wiping away the tears.
''Don [her husband] and I have been overseas a few times. When we were in Germany, they took us to a cemetery for the Allied services and showed us the graves and they were so young - it was awful. What a waste, what a bloody waste.''
The date held particular significance for Mrs Mackenzie because it marked the first wartime fatality in her family, but sadly not the family's last.
Pte Ham's father, William Edward Ham, died a month after his son.
''His father died of a broken heart I reckon. He was so upset.''
Pte Ham's mother, Hester, remarried soon after but her second husband, Cyril Bartlett, served and died during the war.
Mrs Mackenzie's father, Harry Ham, served during World War 1 and World War 2. He did not return from the latter.
''I hope there's never, ever, ever any more wars,'' she said.
''I don't think anybody should - it's awful.''
Her son also joined the Defence Force and served four years with the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
Later, he worked in the aviation industry and died in a crash at Luggate Airport in 1981.
Her husband, Don, also served with the Royal Air Force as part of Bomber Command during World War 2.
For a family who paid such a heavy price for the military, there was also a lot of pride.
''They were all intertwined with the army all the way through,'' she said.
''My father was a captain but Willy never had a chance to be anything,'' Mrs Mackenzie said.
Pte Ham died aged 22, ''still a boy''.
He was born on April 14, 1892, in Ireland.
The Ham family emigrated to New Zealand from Ireland in 1904 and quickly adopted the country as their own.
Although Mrs Mackenzie never met her uncle, his memory was kept alive by the family.
''We have always been told about him, that Willy went away and made this huge sacrifice for the country he loved,'' she said.
''He was passionate about this country. He was passionate about New Zealand.''
He was fondly remembered by his family, she said.
''He was always held up as a nice fellow and a leader.
''He was good at getting the young boys to do what they should.''
Mrs Mackenzie could not attend today's memorial for Pte Ham, but she would be thinking of him.
''I have been to these services all around the world and every time I go to one I cry my eyes out,'' she said.
''And I don't want to cry any more.''
About 200 people, including family members from Dunedin, were expected at the ceremony.
Pte Ham's mother moved to Dunedin some time between the wars.
She died in Dunedin shortly after the end of World War 2.
