King's vet welcome members

BAND OF BROTHERS: From left: Pip Fearon, John Bennetts and Theo Thomas say the King’s Empire Veterans needs more members to keep the association’s long, proud history alive.

They're some of our most celebrated war veterans but most of us have never heard of them.

The King’s Empire Veterans Association is a national organisation established in 1900 by Lord Ranfurly for defence force veterans living in New Zealand.

And while its membership rules have relaxed a little – age and gender doesn’t matter – members must have been awarded a medal for serving in a New Zealand defence force overseas during a foreign conflict.

Papakura branch president Pip Fearon says the minimum age used to be 60-plus "but that was wiped two years ago".

"We have about 60 or 70 members who meet every month and twice a year we have a dinner."

The Papakura branch is based at the Papakura RSA and puts out a regular newsletter. They also band together every year for Anzac Day.

Secretary Theo Thomas says they’re a proud group of people drawn together by fellowship and pride. But the group’s numbers are dwindling and they desperately want "younger blood" in the association.

"Come and join us to keep us viable," Mr Thomas says. "Don’t let us die."

Member John Bennetts says heaps of people would qualify for membership but they either don’t know about the organisation or think they’re a "bunch of old wrinklies".
 It’s a reputation they’d like to challenge. Call 298-3567 for membership information.

- © Fairfax NZ News