Battalion veterans gather at Orakei

JOHN SELKIRK

REMEMBERING: Hiriweteri Hiraka prepares for the 28th Maori Battalion reunion which was held today at the Orakei Marae.

80th Maori Battalion Reunion

Related Links

80th Maori Battalion Reunion

Relevant offers

The voices were a little weaker as the "Maori Battalion" song rang out across Orakei Marae this morning.

Only 50 frail ancient warriors now remain of the 28th Maori Battalion, a legendary unit that in World War II fought across Greece, Crete, North Africa and through Italy.

Their oldest, a 101 year old veteran, was not there, but two men who signed up in 1939 were.

"While the number of battalion veterans, like all those who served in the Second World War, grows thinner with each passing year, the memory of their service lives on," Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand told the gathering.

"Sergeant" Tautini Glover, of C Company, smiled at the thought it might be the last reunion.

"We'll get together, in ones and twos, and share memories and beer, as long as we are able to," he told Stuff.

Some, he said, wanted to end formal reunions, but he wanted to keep coming.

"We will get together until the last man is standing."

But the veterans are passing faster now. In January, Ru Henry died; on Anzac Day last year his older brother Eric Henry died.

From Aitutaki, they were the last of the Cook Islanders to serve in the 28th battalion.

Orakei, on Bastion Point, is on the southern border of what was A Company - the legendary Gum Diggers.

Their five went onto the marae first, as the others waited outside with the Governor-General.

The photos of those who have passed away since the last reunion were placed on the paepae, with the Maori Battalion colours.

The warriors were then farewelled with "Whakaaria Mai" (How Great Thou Art).

Tentatively, it's now being declared that there are only 50 Maori Battalion soldiers left. In the last day or two it may have fallen to 49.

One of the organisers, Derek Fox, has put together the list of those remaining but is cautious.

"You never know, there could be some out there we don't know about."

- © Fairfax NZ News