Geraldine RSA

01/06/2026

28/05/2026

We sadly acknowledge the passing of Nancy ‘Pat’ Clothier at the age of 106.

Nancy was born in Christchurch on 11 April 1920. In 1942 on her 22nd birthday, the establishment of the WRNZNS was approved by the War Cabinet.

Nancy was amongst the first group of women to be enlisted into the WRNZNS and entered service as a Probationary Wren at HMNZS Philomel on 15 July 1942 and issued service number 11.

She would serve as a Shorthand Typist and then Telegraphist.

She was first based in Wellington at the Naval Office as a typist but then was transferred to the naval radio station in Waiouru as a Telegraphist. She was confirmed as an Able Wren then promoted to Petty Officer Wren.

With the demobilising of the RNZN she remained in service in the immediate postwar period until her service engagement ended on15 April 1946. She was one of the first and one of the longest serving Wrens in the Second World War.

25/05/2026

21/05/2026

20/05/2026

𝐆𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐆𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐞 🪖

This Saturday, Geraldine will host a special Gunners Day commemoration in Kennedy Park. 📍

Each year on 26 May, serving and former members of Commonwealth Artillery units gather to mark Gunners Day. As this weekend is the closest weekend to the official date, former Gunners and supporters of the Royal New Zealand Artillery will be gathering in Geraldine for a social weekend and blank-firing salute.

The salute will take place at 12:00 noon on Saturday in Kennedy Park 🕛💥

The Southern Gunners, who are part of the Royal New Zealand Artillery Association, will be crewing and firing the gun for the salute. The Geraldine Military Museum is proud to support the commemoration by supplying the 25-pounder Field Gun.

Members of the public are warmly welcome to come along and watch. The gun crew will also be available after the salute to answer any questions. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🙌