1 NZSAS Gp proudly celebrated their 50th Jubilee from 3-12 June 2005. The celebrations included a gathering of the Originals, Association members, former members and current unit members from Waiouru to Palmerston North then finally in Papakura, Auckland.
Since its formation in 1955, the NZSAS has over the past 50 years established a reputation of which it can be justifiably proud of. This success has not come without cost and during the Jubilee celebrations it was timely to remember those who have contributed to the ethos of the Unit but who was not present.
The NZSAS was first raised to support 22SAS Regiment on operations in Malaya and fifty years on the unit is still at the forefront of the New Zealand Defence Forces operational commitments. Throughout the unit's proud history from the jungles of Malaya to the mountains of Afghanistan, the members of the NZSAS have served with distinction. The ethos and tenets that were carried central to the formation of the SAS in the deserts of Africa and in Malaya are still very much alive and well today. We are confident that if David Stirling and Frank Rennie were here today during the celebrations they would still recognise their SAS unit.
The 50th Jubilee provide the opportunity for the NZSAS Family to remember and to reminisce; to bridge the gap between the old and the young, the past and present and together continued along the Pilgrims road to Samarkand. This was a significant milestone in the history of the NZSAS and adds a special chapter to the international history of the SAS in the United Kingdom and Australia.
Who dares wins
The following photos show the New Zealand SAS Memorial
