Knitting project chance to honour veterans
Dellwyn Moylan is rallying the knitting troops in a community scarf-making project to honour and remember war veterans.
"Operation Wrapped in Remembrance" was initiated to encourage people to knit, weave or crochet a scarf for a veteran to honour their service.
This year marks 80 years since the end of World War 2, 75 years since the beginning of the Korean War, 65 years since the end of the Malayan Emergency conflict, and 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War.
Based in Ashburton, Miss Moylan wanted to organise a project to honour those still living who had served our country in these wars.
"By picking up the needles, loom or crochet hook and creating a scarf, we are showing their service, even if long ago, hasn't been forgotten," she said.
The project launched last month in South Canterbury, but due to "lots of interest from knitters around the country", has now expanded to include North and Central Otago, she said.
The Oamaru RSA Hub and New Zealand Remembrance Army (NZRA) Waitaki were thankful to Miss Moylan for her "heartfelt support of veterans".
Oamaru RSA Hub local support adviser and NZRA Waitaki member Barry Gamble said it was encouraging to see individuals take initiative to honour and uphold the spirit of "We will remember them".
"Dellwyn's efforts are a meaningful tribute to those who have served," he said.
Miss Moylan said she started knitting for the first time last year with "Gallipoli Wool", an Anzac-inspired wool that is made in collaboration between New Zealand and Turkey, to make a scarf for a friend who is serving with the New Zealand Army.
It got her thinking about a project for veterans that would also be in memory of and honour her parents.
"During World War 2 my Dad, Des, and my uncles who served, would have appreciated the knitted goods they received from home.
"My mum, Ruby, talked about walking to school knitting goods for the troops overseas during that war," she said.
Miss Moylan's mother, who died in 2009, was among the hundred's of New Zealand women who knitted for the troops in WW2.
By May 1945, 1,168,963 items had been knitted in New Zealand.
Miss Moylan said the project was an opportunity to remember those who had served "that signed a blank cheque for their country".
"For some returning there were no street parades, no hero welcome home — the price they paid is still appreciated because we have the country we live in and the freedom to enjoy it thanks to their service," she said.
The project finishes on November 11. Waitaki residents can drop off completed scarfs at Stitchcraft Corner, 119 Thames St, Oamaru.
For more information on the project: https://www.facebook.com/share/14qFGgvi4B/
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Photo, relatives of soldier found
The memory of a young soldier has been honoured with the help of a story in The Star. This week marks 75 years since the Korean War began. The Dunedin Roll of Honour in the Lost Generations Room at Toitū Otago Settlers Museum tells the stories of three Dunedin soldiers killed during the Korean conflict: Oliver Cruickshank, Richard Long and Edward Allnatt. However, the museum lacked a photo of Gunner Allnatt, who served with the 16th Field Regiment, Royal New Zealand Artillery. On November 26, 1951, he was in a truck ferrying ammunition when it was hit by a shell. He later died of his wounds, aged just 24. The museum highlighted to The Star that it hoped to ask the public for a photo to accompany details about Gnr Allnatt in the Lost Generations Room. Researcher Kevin Everitt, of Auckland, contacted the museum after the story appeared. He is the administrator of the K Force New Zealand Facebook group, and has researched those involved in the conflict, including his late father, Sergeant Les Everitt, who served for two years in the Korean War. After a veteran's daughter shared the story in the group, Mr Everitt contacted Stephanie Hwang, assistant director of public relations at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery Korea in Busan, where Gnr Allnatt is buried. She sent a portrait of Gnr Allnatt from the memorial cemetery. The story, however, struck closer to home when two relatives of Gnr Allnatt came forward. Cousins Judy Kitto, of Mosgiel, and Shirley Campbell, of South Dunedin, are his nieces. Mrs Kitto's father, Wally, was Edward's brother, while Ms Campbell's mother, June, was his sister. Although the nieces were not born by the time Gnr Allnatt died, tales of him were shared. ''Dad never talked about the war or anything, but he just used to tell us that Uncle Eddie died in the Korean War . . .he got blown up in a truck,'' Mrs Kitto said. Both recalled having a portrait of Gnr Allnatt on the wall in their homes. ''We all ended up with that portrait — for some unknown reason we all seemed to have one,'' Mrs Kitto said. ''The older cousins can remember him. Helen says she can remember him giving her a piggyback on his shoulders, because all the Allnatts are usually six foot.'' The family had a history of military service, but Gnr Allnatt's young death may have dampened that legacy. ''I think mum might have said that the Korean War was a war that should never have happened. ''I don't know how true that is. . .I just don't know,'' Ms Campbell said. The nieces were pleased to provide a photo of Gnr Allnatt for the museum. ''It is quite humbling in a way because he is not forgotten,'' Ms Campbell said.
Otago Daily Times
22-06-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Korean society, veteran mark war's 75th anniversary
PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON Joined by family and members of the Dunedin Korean Society at WongGok Restaurant yesterday are (front, from left) Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to New Zealand Changsik Kim, Korean War veteran Ken Wright, 90, of Christchurch, widow Avro Carman and organiser and former president Euija Kim. The annual event, now in its 30th year, was held by the society to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War and honour members of K-Force — New Zealand veterans of the war. Mrs Kim said when they started the event, in 1995, there were about 50 members of K-Force in attendance. Now only one was left, she said. Mr Wright said he joined the war at age 16 and served in the Royal Navy. Yesterday's gathering was "very nice" and the visiting ambassador was "like a next-door neighbour to me", he said. Mr Kim said he was very honoured to join the celebration and was proud of the community's dedication to veterans.
Otago Daily Times
14-06-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Knitting project chance to honour veterans
Dellwyn Moylan is rallying the knitting troops in a community scarf-making project to honour and remember war veterans. "Operation Wrapped in Remembrance" was initiated to encourage people to knit, weave or crochet a scarf for a veteran to honour their service. This year marks 80 years since the end of World War 2, 75 years since the beginning of the Korean War, 65 years since the end of the Malayan Emergency conflict, and 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War. Based in Ashburton, Miss Moylan wanted to organise a project to honour those still living who had served our country in these wars. "By picking up the needles, loom or crochet hook and creating a scarf, we are showing their service, even if long ago, hasn't been forgotten," she said. The project launched last month in South Canterbury, but due to "lots of interest from knitters around the country", has now expanded to include North and Central Otago, she said. The Oamaru RSA Hub and New Zealand Remembrance Army (NZRA) Waitaki were thankful to Miss Moylan for her "heartfelt support of veterans". Oamaru RSA Hub local support adviser and NZRA Waitaki member Barry Gamble said it was encouraging to see individuals take initiative to honour and uphold the spirit of "We will remember them". "Dellwyn's efforts are a meaningful tribute to those who have served," he said. Miss Moylan said she started knitting for the first time last year with "Gallipoli Wool", an Anzac-inspired wool that is made in collaboration between New Zealand and Turkey, to make a scarf for a friend who is serving with the New Zealand Army. It got her thinking about a project for veterans that would also be in memory of and honour her parents. "During World War 2 my Dad, Des, and my uncles who served, would have appreciated the knitted goods they received from home. "My mum, Ruby, talked about walking to school knitting goods for the troops overseas during that war," she said. Miss Moylan's mother, who died in 2009, was among the hundred's of New Zealand women who knitted for the troops in WW2. By May 1945, 1,168,963 items had been knitted in New Zealand. Miss Moylan said the project was an opportunity to remember those who had served "that signed a blank cheque for their country". "For some returning there were no street parades, no hero welcome home — the price they paid is still appreciated because we have the country we live in and the freedom to enjoy it thanks to their service," she said. The project finishes on November 11. Waitaki residents can drop off completed scarfs at Stitchcraft Corner, 119 Thames St, Oamaru. For more information on the project:
