Guest Blog by Shaun Camp, MSc

Once upon a time, just a young sixteen-year-old Kiwi lad, I signed up to serve in the Royal New Zealand Navy, as a Medic. This was the beginning of a long journey, one that had many highlights and a few lowlights over three-plus decades.

This journey encompassed the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN), Royal New Zealand Army, New Zealand Ambulance Services, and NGO (non-governmental organizations) working closely with the United Nations and Australian Rescue Paramedic in the Mining sector.

Day one of joining the RNZN, I befriended a chap, Murray (Muzz). Years later, Murray married an incredibly talent artist, Deanna, from Canada. While working in the Netherlands in 2016, a memorable reunion was had between the three and included Murray and Deanna ‘s two children.

ANZAC Day has always had special meaning in my Medic’s heart, a day of Remembrance, of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country, and those who suffered injuries, both physical and psychological. Not one to miss an ANZAC Day, even if meant a Dawn Service for one, in a strange country. Now in later life, I pondered how to honour these brave people, and decided to have a tattoo(s) in recognition of THEIR service.

Friends, Murray and Deanna - would come to add an element of unbelievable depth to my quest. Deanna had painted a life-size painting entitled “The Journey to Remembrance “, which I sought permission to use the image as one part of the tattoo. I contacted an unbelievably talented tattoo artist - Ricky Flavell at Magna Tattoo Studio in Christchurch, New Zealand and the process began.

Just given elements, Ricky made magic happen. The eventual decision was to do two pieces, one on each of my thighs. Nothing like a wee bit of pain!  Black and Grey with splashes of Red. The results are amazing. I, the Kiwi Medic, can now rest, thinking of those who have served, not only in the Military but all emergency services.

Duty, Honour, Sacrifice.

Lest We Forget

Shaun Camp, MSc

The Kiwi Medic

It was a pleasure to meet Shaun in 2016 while we were in Amsterdam for the 100th WWI Commemorative services in Somme for New Zealand. An old Royal New Zealand Navy friend of Murray’s (my hubby), it was fun to hear the old stories of a time when they were both young men as well as catching up on the years gone by.

At this time, I had just completed my life-size painting, “The Journey to Remembrance” and was unaware of the painting’s journey or the emotional impact so many would feel while viewing the imagery of the three ghostly soldiers walking into the sunset.

Fast forward to this past summer, when Shaun approached me for permission to ink “The Journey to Remembrance” on his thigh as a tattoo, I was flattered having painted the imagery. With Shaun, his Service, and having such a deep desire to commit to his own journey to remembrance, this endeavour seemed made to be. Shaun chose his tattooist well. Ricky Flavell has done an incredible undertaking translating the imagery from canvas to skin.

The commemorative art piece, “The Journey to Remembrance” has been on its own journey,  and touched more people than I had ever imagined. My own personal journey to remembrance started off in a place of nativity and flourished into being emboldened as an artist to do more than just wear a poppy.  I am grateful for my skill in bringing this representation to completion on a life-size canvas and having the painting inspire others during their own journey to remembrance.

Many thanks to Shaun for continuing the journey of this painting, and its meaningful symbolism, and Ricky for making it happen so vividly. Most importantly, thank you for your service, Shaun.

Having stood with my young children amongst the thousands and thousands of headstones in Europe, I feel strongly about the current world situation, and feel we should fully contemplate the fate of these three ghostly soldiers in the painting. While considering the future of our children, we need to be striving to seek better solutions as citizens of this earth.

As Remembrance Day approaches I encourage these words to be in your mind as we honour those who have been there before.

We Will Remember Them.

Deanna

“The Journey to Remembrance” is currently on loan and display at The Military Museums of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.