Anzac day at Glenfield is a story of generations. Family often travel from afar
to honour relatives and each year one particular serviceman is honoured. Pictured
above is Northcote Labour Party candidate Hamish McCracken laying a wreath on behalf
of the Labour Party, a tradition he has undertaken for many years now. Representatives
of the major political parties show their respects at most services around the Shore
but Glenfield is a special event for Hamish and his family. There are 23 men listed
on the roll of honour at the Glenfield Hall, Hamish has close family links to two of them and has in the past been part of the Anzac Day celebrations honouring them.
His great grandfather Frederick (Fred) James Chandler left for overseas service
on the ship Tofua in 1916 and was killed in action in France on January 7th 1917. Fred was specifically honoured at the Anzac day
celebrations in 2004.
His great Uncle Anthony Stuart (Tony) Roberts was killed
in action on 10 July 1943 when his bomber was shot down off the coast of Crete
Crete. Tony Roberts was the focus for Anzac Day in 2003.
Fred's son, Charlie was Hamish's grandfather and Anthony Roberts sister Nora his
grandmother. Charlie Chandler played a key role in getting Glenfield its community
hall. He served for ten years on the Glenfield War Memorial Domain Board and was a foundation member of the Glenfield Hall Reserve Society. He
was also a Labour Party Stalwart but did not live to see his grandson run for parliament.
Hamish McCracken, Labour Candidate for Northcote and
Viv Goldsmith, Labour Candidate for East Coast Bays at the Anzac Service in Glenfield.