Thanks from the Returned Boys

It has been burned, battered and cast aside, but the significance of this charred and unremarkable looking cake stand has now been recognised. A sharp eyed scrap metal collector noticed a faint inscription beneath the fire damaged stand during a collection on the Hibiscus Coast a couple of years ago. The inscription revealed the stand was presented to Charles and Ann Burgess by “…the returned boys 1914-21”.

The couple played an active role supporting the community effort during World War One and supported veterans after the war ended. Mrs Burgess formed the Women’s Patriotic Committee that presented parcels to new recruits before they left New Plymouth for war, and she organised the first New Plymouth ANZAC Day reunion for ex-servicemen and women and patriotic workers in 1918. From this small beginning the annual gathering grew to crowds of over 1000 people, until ill health forced Mrs Burgess to step down from organising the event in 1947. The couple were active in many areas of the community and they gave their country home Hapurunui (now known as Burgess Park) to the public as well as gifting the Tea House to Pukekura Park.