Christchurch hosts NZ Army’s 2nd/1st Battalion celebrating 50 years

The battalion celebrated its half-century anniversary over the long Matariki weekend with a charter parade through Christchurch’s central city, opening a 25-year-old time capsule, and ceremonies and social events at Burnham Military Camp. 

Friday’s charter parade drew large crowds as the battalion marched with regimental colours through Christchurch, joined by the NZ Army Band and unit veterans.

Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger inspected the parade in Cathedral Square before reading the historical charter document, acknowledging the unwavering support of the city in difficult times.

The charter formalises the relationship between the city of Christchurch and the South Island’s only Regular Force infantry unit.

2^nd/1^st Battalion has been among the first to respond to incidents and disasters in Christchurch and the wider South Island, such as the Christchurch Earthquake in 2011 and the Covid-19 response - providing personnel to conduct security and manage quarantine facilities.

On Saturday, more than 500 former battalion members were ‘welcomed home’ to Burnham.

The contents of the 25-year-old time capsule showed a snapshot in time of the battalion including photos and kit.

Major General (Retired) Ken Gordon was the Commanding Officer of 2^nd/1^st Battalion from 1976 to 1978, shortly after it was formed.

It was the highlight of a 37-year career that started when he enlisted as an 18-year-old and ended in 1987. A soldier’s kit was now a lot different.

“We were really just at the dog end of the war when I joined but everything has changed since,” he said. 

“When I look now at a soldier, I can’t imagine what they have on them – all the bells and whistles.”

Current Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Sam Smith, says thousands of battalion members had served in New Zealand and on overseas deployments, including Bosnia, East Timor, Afghanistan, Solomon Islands and Iraq.

Every unit member had made their own unique contribution to the history of 2^nd/1^st Battalion.

“While the battalion may look very different from the one formed 50 years ago, some things have not changed. 

“The quality and calibre of the soldiers who form the sections, platoons and companies of the battalion and the way the unit has just got on with the job of soldiering is the same now as they have always been.”

The battalion has laid down another time capsule, to be lifted in 25 years.