Come May 7 Philip Hobbs will slip on his circa 1943 battle dress jacket and march on The Historic Village. That's the moment ‘civy' becomes fourth Brigade, 18th Battalion staff sergeant.
'The jacket's an original which you wouldn't think was 70 years old.”
May 7, 1945 is a historically significant day. It was VE Day – short for Victory in Europe Day. It marks the formal acceptance by World War II allies of Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender.
And when it was over the truly global war and deadliest war in history had cost more than 50 million military and civilian lives.
And 11,700 of those were New Zealanders – which was 0.72 of the population.
That's a fact that won't be lost in Tauranga on May 7-8, with the BOP Military Vehicle Show and VE Day Celebration organised for The Historic Village to mark the anniversary of the end of hostilities.
To bring a little reality, a little authenticity to the event, the WWII Historical Re-enactment Society will march on the village. In full kit of course, but without guns.
'No guns because it was the end of the war. Guns had been laid down. The world was at peace again. Moving forward,” says Philip.
But they'll be talking and teaching of sacrifices made to preserve our freedoms. 'It's important future generations understand what grandfathers and great grandfathers did for them,” says Philip. 'When veterans die we don't want their stories dying with them.”
And the re-enactment society will be dressed accordingly for VE Day. 'It'll be May so winter kit. Khaki serge battledress jacket and trousers,” says Philip.
Unlike the American soldiers – the flash boys of WWII, who had an 'outstanding” walking out dress – New Zealand troops were the poor cousins. 'We just wore the same uniform we fought in, slept in and lived in. We just took off the gaiters we wore round our boots and put on shoes and a tie.”
So there'll be a mix of uniforms at the show. 'Some will wear walking out dress and other guys will be in ‘belt order' which is belt and webbing.” And hats or course- lemon squeezers, side caps and caps for officers. The mood and the time will be captured and as accurately as possible.
'A lot of it's original, but then shirts wear out, so we wear reproduction shirts.”
All this talk about dress codes of the 1940s is appropriate because the public is not just invited to the BOP Military Vehicle Show and VE Day Celebration but is invited to be part of it – but arrive in 1940s costume – uniform or civvies and win a prize.
Other features of the show include a military vehicle parade, historic films, Jeep rides for the kids, vintage cars and both silver and pipe bands.
The BOP Military Vehicle Show and VE Day Celebration is on May 7-8 at The Historic Village from 9.30am-3pm daily. Entry is free.