Auckland RSA

9 June 1916
AUCKLAND RSA BECOMES THE FIRST RSA TO INCORPORATE

On this day 110 years ago the Auckland Returned Soldiers’ Association was registered as an incorporated society on 9 June 1916 — making it officially the first and oldest RSA in the country.

Earlier in the year, on 23 January 1916, a meeting of returned soldiers at the Soldiers’ Club in Queen Street presided over by the Mayor [later Sir] Auckland James Gunson had resolved to form the Auckland Returned Soldiers’ Association, and elected Mayor Gunson as their first president with a mixed executive of citizens and returned soldiers. Its immediate task was to organise with Auckland Council the first Anzac Day observance on 25 April 1916, which included returned soldiers marching up Queen Street to a remembrance service in the Town Hall.

Auckland was absent from the foundation conference of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association in Wellington on 28 April 1916, but Gunson sent a message of goodwill and indicated that the Auckland RSA was taking measures to formally register as an incorporated society. This was achieved on 9 June 1916, making the Auckland RSA the first RSA in the country to officially form-up, and shortly afterwards it had its own distinct badge.

More stories of remembrance, support and advocacy from our early days to follow throughout the day ...



PHOTO CREDITS:

Auckland RSA members wearing a mix of the original Auckland RSA badge (front two) and the RSA badge (centre). Photograph Herman John Schmidt, 1917. 31-R2465 Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries

The original Auckland RSA badge. Auckland Museum N1573.1

Mayor James Gunson (centre) welcomes the arrival at Auckland of Brigadier-General George S. Richardson (later President of Auckland RSA ) in May 1919. From left: Mr C H Poole; MP, Mrs Richardson, wife of Brigadier-General Richardson; Major-General Sir Alfred Robins; Brigadier-General G S Richardson, CB, CMG; Dr W C Sadlier, Bishop of Nelson and senior chaplain to the New Zealand Forces; Mayor of Auckland James Gunson; Captain C E Elliott, president of the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association; Mrs Gunson; Colonel H R Potter; and Mayor of Wellington J C Lake, MP. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19190508-31-01

Anzac Day parade up Queen Street arrives at the Auckland Town Hall on the first anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli Auckland, 25 April 1916. Libraries Heritage Collections SDR-19160504-32-01

A fine example that local RSAs, like New Lynn Memorial RSA, can both support our Armed Forces community and their local community — they are not mutually exclusive — indeed without the mutual support of the community there is no support of our veterans and their families. It's all about the RSA being at the heart of their community. ❤️