On Saturday 25th of April, The Master was invited to attend the ANZAC Day event in London, an honour to have The Worshipful Company of Butchers represented on this special occasion.
The Master was given VIP access for the day, with a prime position to witness the laying of Wreaths at the Cenotaph. He was one of the first to enter Westminster Abbey with other VIPs, including HRH Princess of Wales, while the public surrounded the royal church as they entered. Once seated, he met a professor who was surprised to learn that The Master knew of his hometown, Dunedin, Master explained that as a Company, we have a close connection with this New Zealand town and the New Zealand meat trade.
"A moving and very poignant occasion”
What is ANZAC day?
ANZAC Day is a National Day of Remembrance in Australia and New Zealand. It commemorates the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps at Gallipoli during World War I, marking the first major military action fought by these forces. The day honours all Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations.
The day consisted of a Wreath Laying Service, led by HRH Princess of Wales, where participants lay wreaths in remembrance of those who served and lost their lives. followed by a service at Westminster Abbey, where those invited gather to reflect on the sacrifices made.
The first NZ lamb carcass in the UK
UK and New Zealand connections date back to Queen Victoria's birthday (24 May 1882), when SS Dunedin arrived in St Katherines Dock, London, after a 12,000-mile voyage from New Zealand in just under one hundred days, carrying a full cargo of the finest frozen mutton and lamb along with some pork.
SS Dunedin delivered the first shipment to arrive from the colony, but the voyage had started badly when the steam engine powering the plant broke down in port Chalmers. The cargo was then unloaded and sold locally. Once repaired, another batch of top-quality sheep and lamb were chosen, slaughtered, and then frozen on board. The meat arrived in perfect condition with only one carcase out of five thousand being condemned. it was well received in Smithfield where it averaged 6d a pound.
One of the first lamb carcasses was taken to Buckingham palace, where it was butchered in front of Queen Victoria, and New Zealand lamb chops were on the menu that night in preparation for a banquet, possibly, Derby Day 1882.
The cleaver, used by Mr Edward Jeffreys, to cut up the lamb carcase, is currently held here in Butchers Hall in a glazed case with paper label inscribed "This chopper was used by Mr Edward Jeffreys at Buckingham Palace to cut up the first New Zealand lamb carcass shipped to the United Kingdom in the "SS Dunedin" and presented to Her Majesty Queen Victoria in May 1882".
On the 22nd of April 1982, the Queen's Mother asked if she could leave the Chopper in the Hall for safe keeping after receiving it from the New Zealand Meat Company, where it had been displayed from 1972 after being repaired and restored. We also own a model of the ship, SS Dunedin, which is currently on loan to the New Zealand High Commission.
