Losing medical clearance brought a reluctant end to his 53-year flying career last May.
Williams’ said it was a “privilege” flying out to the rising sun on Anzac morning.
Gormlie said he would have to “behave” with the “master watching”.
He described flying next to Williams as, at times, “remarkable”.
Headed out to sea with the rising sun, Gormlie watched the light shine behind William’s aircraft, silhouetted as thick white smoke released from the exhaust.
“First thing you say to yourself is, ‘man, I wish I could just snapshot this’.”
Gormlie said it was a “special thing” to be part of – “we really enjoy it”.
They typically flew Harvards, but two Yak-52 Russian trainers will go up this year as a part of the annual Classic Flyers Anzac parade flyover.
The sound of the aircraft was “very emotional”, Gormlie said – even from on the ground.
Crowds at Anzac Day services were “growing in size” as “people are understanding the gravity” of the day, he said.
It may be “old-fashioned”, but “all walks of life can be involved”, with many having a personal connection.
“Younger people are becoming aware of the sacrifices made.
“There aren’t too many opportunities to show up to something like this, so when you get the chance, you do,” Gormlie said.
A strong community turnout at the Mount Maunganui Dawn Service in 2024. Photo / Simon Dawson Photography.
Preparation begins the day before, with the aircraft checked, engines run and readied for the early start.
The crew ran through a briefing, determining who’s flying, when they’ll be airborne and how the flyover will unfold.
On the morning itself, they gather at Classic Flyers NZ for breakfast.
They were both involved in the organisation – Gormlie as chief executive and trustee.
The cafe and museum will be open from 6.30am. Gormlie said a crowd often gathered to watch the aircraft leave.
He encouraged people to “get out of bed” and support the service.
Gormilie and Williams tried to attend a few different ones each year.
Anzac Day services in Tauranga:
Today, Anzac Day services are happening across Tauranga to remember and honour our past and present servicemen and women.
There are some changes to services this year:
There will be no separate Mount Maunganui Civic Service at 9.30am.
Instead, the Tauranga Civic Memorial Service will incorporate both the Tauranga and Mount Maunganui RSAs.
Holding the city-led civic service in one location reflects a unified approach to remembrance across Tauranga.
The Tauranga Dawn Service, previously held at the old Tauranga RSA on Cameron Rd, will take place at Memorial Park.
Hosting the dawn service at Memorial Park brings the commemoration to a central civic location and will be followed by the Tauranga Civic Memorial Service at 9.30am.
Services in Tauranga in 2026:
Tauranga Moana Tūmatauenga Anzac Commemorations
Time: 5.45am Location: Opopoti Maungatapu Marae Opopoti (Maungatapu) Marae
Mount Maunganui Dawn Service
Time: 6am Location: Mount Maunganui Cenotaph, Marine Parade
Tauranga Dawn Service
Time: 6am Location: Memorial Park, Memorial Field
Pāpāmoa Memorial Dawn Service
Time: 6am Location: Pāpāmoa Memorial, Stella Place beach car park
Tauranga Civic Memorial Service
Time: 9.30am Location: Memorial Park, Memorial Field
Pyes Pā Remembrance Service
Time: 11amLocation: Pyes Pā Cemetery, 403 Pyes Pā Rd
There are free park and ride services for the Mount Dawn, Tauranga Dawn and Tauranga Civic Memorial Services.
For the full list of Anzac Day services and event details, please visit the Tauranga City Council website.
Annabel Reid is a multimedia journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post, based in Rotorua. Originally from Hawke’s Bay, she has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Canterbury.