Hillside Workshops Memorial Honours Legacy of Service

A rededication service for the Hillside Workshops memorial took place recently, attracting approximately 300 attendees. This gathering included dignitaries, KiwiRail staff, veterans, descendants of former employees, and members of the public, all coming together to honour the legacy of those who served.

Alan Hill, leader of KiwiRail’s “Future State” initiative, addressed the crowd, detailing the memorial’s history. Initially conceived as a World War I roll of honour board, the memorial was first installed in the social hall of the Hillside Workshops. In 1949, the Hillside Workshops War Memorial Committee installed two gold-engraved granite plaques next to the main entrance on Hillside Road, funded by the workshops’ staff.

Over the years, the memorial stones were removed for refurbishment. With the recent development of the new site on Hillside Road, KiwiRail collaborated with Calder Stewart and WSP to enhance the memorial’s design, incorporating the plaques and creating a designated space for future Anzac Day commemorations.

Mr. Hill expressed gratitude to all those involved in the design and construction of the memorial, describing it as “splendid.” His remarks were followed by a speech from retired Lieutenant-Colonel Roger McElwain, who shared his family’s longstanding connection to the Hillside Workshops and his childhood memories of the site.

The service included an Act of Remembrance, led by Canon Michael Wallace, vicar of All Saints Church. Following the prayers, Mr. Hill and veteran Charlie Boyes unveiled the memorial. Mr. Boyes paid tribute to his great-uncle, Andrew Colquhoun Boyes, who worked at the Hillside Workshops and served in the 2nd Battalion of the Otago Infantry Regiment during the Gallipoli campaign. Lieutenant Boyes was killed in action on May 16, 1916, at Armentières on the Western Front, at the age of 24.

During the ceremony, veteran Graeme Harvey served as the master of ceremonies. The event was marked by the haunting sound of a lament played by piper Oe Hayward, as wreaths were laid in remembrance. Bugler Joseph Kelly concluded the service with the playing of the Last Post, bringing a poignant close to the commemorative gathering.

This rededication of the Hillside Workshops memorial not only honours the sacrifices of those who served but also reinforces the community’s commitment to remembering their legacy for future generations.