27 Mar 2015

Gallipoli artist honoured in Hamilton

5:41 pm on 27 March 2015

A bronze statue of war artist Horace Moore-Jones, who painted many famous scenes of ANZAC troops at Gallipoli, has been unveiled in central Hamilton.

The New Zealand war artist Horace Moore-Jones.

Statue of New Zealand World War One artist Horace Moore-Jones, unveiled today. Photo: RNZ / Andrew McRae

Descendants of the artist joined with the governor of the Turkish province of Canakkale, Ahmet Cinar, to unveil the sculpture of Moore-Jones, who is best known for painting 'Simpson and his Donkey' at Gallipoli.

Mr Moore-Jones worked as an art teacher in Hamilton after World War One, but died in 1922 from burns he received rescuing people from a hotel fire.

Local high school students planted poppies next to the statue in remembrance of the 200 Waikato servicemen who died at Gallipoli 100 years ago next month.

Mr Cinar said stone from Gallipoli was used in part of the statue, cementing the relationship between the two countries.

He said the stone embodied all the sacrifices made by both sides.

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