100 Year Anniversary of Chunuk Bair
Sunday, 2 August 2015
The grandson of New Zealand's hero of Chunuk Bair Cyril Bassett says he would be 'very proud' to be remembered 100 years on from the famous battle.
This week marks the centenary of the assault on the summit of Chunuk Bair - the lone victory in the disastrous Gallipoli campaign. For four days it was literally the high point for the Anzac troops long fight on the peninsula, before they were again repelled by Turkish troops.
In Wellington a commemoration for Chunuk Bair will be held at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park on 8 August. A ceremony will also be held at the New Zealand Memorial and Lower Cemetery at Chunuk Bair on the Gallipoli Peninsula, on the same day
It was on this hill that Cyril Bassett earned the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest award for bravery. It was the only VC awarded to a soldier at Gallipoli. A banker from Auckland before the war, Bassett was the New Zealand's first WWI VC recipient.
Grandson Mark Bramwell has held onto many of Bassett's military possessions including his military jacket, his original first aid kit, and his gun holster.
'I think he would be very proud today. But he would want everyone to be acknowledged. He was very proud of wearing (the VC) for the whole nation. At the end of the day he was doing his job.'
He was a quiet humble man. He always felt uncomfortable that he came home with a VC while so many of his friends were left beneath wooden crosses in France. He kept the medal in a small box in his top draw.
'That medal belongs to the whole of New Zealand. It is for everyone who fought. He was very upset that he came home with the cross and a lot of his friends didn't come home at all,' said Bramwell.
Bassett never spoke about the war when he returned to New Zealand. He found peace from the savage memories of Gallipoli on the sea where he went sailing and fishing. The war had a lasting effect on Bassett. His daughter remembers when he visited Turkey to see the war graves he returned to New Zealand distraught.
'He came home an absolute wreck. He looked terrible. He lost a lot of friends. He didn't consider he was anything better than anyone else. He came back and the others didn't,' said Cherry Bramwell.
The family only got to learn about his intimate military history after he died in 1983 aged 91 when they found a big box full of confidential records of his service.
'I could understand his moods after reading all this. Why he was like he was at times. He would go days without talking. It can't have been easy for mother at times,' his daughter said.
In August Willie Apiata, who was awarded a VC for his bravery in Afghanistan, presented 'artwork for remembrance' by Max Gimblett to the family of Bassett.
'I feel very proud. I am probably more proud now than when I was younger, it definitely means a lot,' said Mark Bramwell.
Under the cover of night on 6 August 1915, three columns of soldiers attacked three high points above the beaches of Anzac cove. The New Zealand troops fell behind and by daybreak had not made the summit. At dawn on 8 August the troops took the summit.
In this assault men of the Māori Contingent, were the first Māori soldiers to take part in an attack. It is estimated that more than 800 New Zealanders died in the attack.
Bassett lead a group of signalers who laid and repaired a telephone wire in broad daylight under heavy enemy fire to keep the vital line of communication from the commanders to the front line open. Twice bullets cut through Bassets clothing. At just over 160cm Bassett attributed his luck to his height.
'He said all the bullets went over him,' said Bramwell.