Fallen Heroes - Gisborne Multi-Cache

In honour of the twenty-two Kaiti freezing workers who made the supreme sacrifice while serving the Empire in the Great War.

The obelisk on Kaiti Hill was erected in January 1923 as a joint effort between the Kaiti freezing workers and the Gisborne Sheepfarmers' Frozen Meat and Mercantile Co. They paid for the tribute to the 105 freezing workers who went off to serve overseas in World War 1, and the 22 who made the supreme sacrifice and were killed in action. Contrary to popular belief, there was never a list of names inscribed in the stone, nor a plaque affixed. The only inscription is a simple message.

Historical records show the monument was built in 1923 by workers from the Kaiti Freezing Works. During World War 1, they ran a parcel fund for former freezing workers who were overseas fighting at the time. When the war ended there was money left in the fund and it was decided to build a memorial. Marble was imported from Italy and the monument was sculpted to feature two concrete steps surmounted by a simple marble plinth and topped by an obelisk.

The monument was unveiled on ANZAC Day, April 25th 1923 - on a rainy afternoon following the morning unveiling of the Cenotaph on the Esplanade. The ANZAC Day parade of 200 returned soldiers began at 10am that morning. The Cenotaph was unveiled by Colonel C.W. Melville, CB, CMG, DSO, former Brigadier-General of the 1st New Zealand Brigade, along with dignitaries Mayor George Wildish and Sir James Carroll. The weather turned rainy for the afternoon and the unveiling of the works memorial, but a large crowd of people including returned soldiers, climbed the hill for that service as well.

Alongside the obelisk stood a 77mm German field gun - one of three captured field guns presented to the Gisborne Borough Council by the Government. The field gun has since been removed but is currently located at the East Coast Museum of Technology (See GC3HXFX ECMot - Gisborne) where it is hoped that it will become a restoration project.

The monument was recommended for protection under the Gisborne District Heritage Study because of its value as a prominent feature of the townscape. Its historic and social significance as a memorial erected to those who fought in World War 1, by a section of the community, is acknowledge.

One of the reasons for the obelisk bearing no names is that all 575 names of local men killed in the war were inscribed on panels of the Cenotaph.

Nameless or not, "We will remember them".

Standard black plastic box usually used to hide a spare house key. Container not waterproof but used write-in-the-wet log book. Only contains its log book so you will need to bring your own pen. With such a small log, it would be helpful and appreciated if you note in your online log if it is getting too full. Please replace the cache in exactly the same position thank you.

Make your way to view the monument, read the inscription and answer the following questions to complete the GPS co-ordinates which will take you to the cache location.

A=__ Number of letters in 4th word, 3rd line.

B=__ Number of letters in 2nd word, 5th line.

C=__ Number of letters in 3rd word, 4th line.

D=__ Number of letters in 1st word, 6th line.

E=__ Number of letters in 3rd word, 1st line.

F=__ Number of letters in 6th word, 5th line.

The cache is located in the Titirangi Reserve on Kaiti Hill, Gisborne. Follow the Queens Drive Road up the hill to the lower car park. At the end of the car park you find a well defined walking track and signage that reads "Lower car park fitness trail start". Take note of the walking track directions to the "GRC War Memorial" that will take you through a beautiful area that is easily accessible by able persons.