The death of the last surviving member of the Maori battalion was a tragedy for Aotearoa – a descendant

A descendant of the last survivor of the 28th Māori Battalion says his death is a huge loss for Aotearoa and the world.

Sir Robert Nairn Gillies, KNZM, known in his whānau as “Bom” or “Koro Bom”, died on Thursday at the age of 99.

His great-nephew Jeremy Tatere MacLeod told RNZ about this. Midday Report it was a huge loss for Aotearoa and the world and he was lucky to spend some time with “Ta Bom” while he was gone.

MacLeod said whānau would spend more time with Ta Bom today before “bringing him back to the nation”.

“Whānau appreciate that once on the marae it becomes the property of the nation.”

MacLeod said he spoke to his uncle just a few weeks ago.

“He was very smart, even though he was going to be 100 next February. due to complications caused by this, he would live to be a hundred.”

Details about Tangihanga

• 8 November – The immediate whānau requests that this day be reserved exclusively for them.
• 9 November – 1pm: Koro will be sent to lie at Paratehoata Te Kohea Marae, Tunohopu in Rotorua for one hour.
• 14:00: Koro will be taken to Te Papaioru Marae (Tama-te-kapua).
• 16:00: Te Arikinui Kuini Ngā Wai Hono and te Pō and Tainui waka will arrive at Te Papaioru Marae (Tamatekapua).
• 10 November: The marae will be open to motu.
• 11 November: The marae will be open to motu. Poroporoaki (farewell) that evening.
• November 12: Funeral service at 11.00. Burial will take place in Kauae Urupa (cemetery).

Sir Robert Nairn Gillies KNZM (Ngati Whakaue, Ngati Kahungunu) was born on 14 February 1925 in Rotorua.

He tried twice to enlist in the 28th Māori Battalion before succeeding on his third attempt at the age of 17, after lying about his age like many others. He served with Company B during World War II from 1943 to 1945.

He arrived in North Africa in July 1943 and returned to New Zealand in January 1946. While fighting in the Italian campaign, Gillis was wounded at Orsogne in December 1943. He continued to serve with the 28th Maori Battalion until the end of the war and saw action. in the mortal battle for Cassino.

He became a Trustee of the 28th Māori B Battalion Historical Trust in 2013, represented members of the battalion at the 70th anniversary of the Battle of El Alamein in 2012 and participated in ceremonies in Italy to commemorate the 70th, 75th and 80th anniversary of the Battle of El Alamein. Cassino in 2014, 2019 and 2024.

At Ta Bom New Year 2022 celebration was appointed Companion of the New Zealand Order of Meritfor services to Māori and war remembrance after previously declining the honor and ultimately accepting it on behalf of all those who served.

MacLeod said one of Ta Boma’s biggest disappointments was the way he and other Māori soldiers were treated when they returned home.

“The Maori Battalion went to war to fight for God, King and Country – at the cost of citizenship. But when they returned, many were still treated as second-class citizens and faced discrimination.

“They did not receive the same benefits and rehabilitation schemes as other veterans. When they returned, they didn’t even know about their medals.”

There was also a stigma around receiving medals.

“Many old people said that the heroes were those who actually lay on foreign soil. It was ‘wakama’, fear and humility in Maoridom, above all wearing medals and praising yourself,” MacLeod said.

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