On the eve of Armistice Day, Chris Skinner sang his song ‘Sons of Gallipoli’ during a dinner for veterans and service personnel at Government House.
Host of the dinner, The Governor General, The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae heard Chris sing the song at the National RSA Conference earlier this year in Wellington and invited him to help mark the occasion by singing it at the function.
Chris says he was particularly moved by the reaction of the elderly veterans to the song wanting to know the story behind it.
One of the highlights for Chris during the evening was a surprise meeting with Mr Terence Flannagan, a veteran of the Casino Campaign, and youngest brother of the late Fr Maurice Flannagan SM.
Terence asked after many Marists he knew and Chris said meeting Terence and the connection with the Society made the night for him.
Terence was accompanied by his son, Paul.