Bill Pitman's final farewell and burial at Tutukaka yesterday could not have been in greater contrast to his terrible teenage years when he served in North Africa and Italy with the 28 Maori Battalion, after enlisting at 16.

The ceremonies were held against a backdrop of a vast peaceful panorama of hills and sea, with only the sound of the wind in the trees, before a large crowd gathered first at the Ngunguru Marae and then at the nearby Waikanohi cemetery.

Mr Pitman had been one of three surviving members of A company of the 28 Maori Battalion; one, Sol Tewhata of Moerewa was present, but Charlie Petera of Kaitaia was unable to attend. The third member, Selwyn Clark, also of Kaitaia, was enlisted but did not see active service.

Full story...

Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.

Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition v.1.4.6
AkoComment © Copyright 2004 by Arthur Konze - www.mamboportal.com
All right reserved