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The mayor of Whakatāne plants an oak tree in the grounds of the public school in memory of ex-pupils who died during the First World War, 1919.
Memorials to the First World War are common in schools throughout New Zealand. Memorial gates, arches, stained-glass windows, honour boards, plaques and trees pay tribute to the ‘ultimate sacrifice’ made by past pupils and teachers. One of the most impressive school memorials is the arch built by Otago Boys’ High School to commemorate ex-pupils and teachers killed in the war. This serves as a daily reminder to boys walking into school of the sacrifices that so many young men made in their name.
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