Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 11, 2007 11:37:21 GMT 12
The latest Victoria Cross winner, Corporal Willy Apiata, NZSAS, has returned home to a rapturous welcome on his hometown Marae at Te Kaha, on the East Coast of New Zealand. There are massive celebrations taking place today there.
Last night Campbell Live (TV3) had an excellent report from there highlighting the small community and its connections with the military. It focused mainly on their Army Cadet unit, whch has only been going a few years but has given their local youth some real focus and discipline. Apparently 22 of their ex-cadets are now in the Royal New Zealand Navy.
The report also said almost all of the 800 strong population of the twon of Te Kaha are descended from members of No. 28 Maori Battalion, a proud record.
And something I'd never connected before, this is Te Kaha's second Victoria Cross winner. Moananui-a-Kiwi Ngarimu also came from there too! He was awarded the VC posthumously in 1943. The reporter pondered was this the only town in the world to produce two VC winners?
Does anyone know if another town has had two seperate winners?
Last night Campbell Live (TV3) had an excellent report from there highlighting the small community and its connections with the military. It focused mainly on their Army Cadet unit, whch has only been going a few years but has given their local youth some real focus and discipline. Apparently 22 of their ex-cadets are now in the Royal New Zealand Navy.
The report also said almost all of the 800 strong population of the twon of Te Kaha are descended from members of No. 28 Maori Battalion, a proud record.
And something I'd never connected before, this is Te Kaha's second Victoria Cross winner. Moananui-a-Kiwi Ngarimu also came from there too! He was awarded the VC posthumously in 1943. The reporter pondered was this the only town in the world to produce two VC winners?
Does anyone know if another town has had two seperate winners?
