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"New Zealander awarded Victoria Cross" Topic


15 Posts

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846 hits since 30 Apr 2008
©1994-2024 Bill Armintrout
Comments or corrections?

Martyn01 Jul 2007 5:30 p.m. PST

link


The bravery of such men should never be underestimated.

Cheers

Martyn

pmwalt01 Jul 2007 5:55 p.m. PST

Agree, quite a brave, selfless deed

Ironwolf01 Jul 2007 6:57 p.m. PST

wish we could read about the mission and after action report. Brave men indeed.

Barks101 Jul 2007 11:50 p.m. PST

Very well done, that man.

Highland Guerilla02 Jul 2007 10:26 a.m. PST

I did not realize that this is actually the New Zealand Victoria Cross,similar in appearance and equally hard to win.What is even better is that Cpl. Apiata survived,which is often not the case with this particular award.
Always an uplifting experience to hear that we walk shoulder to shoulder with men who have such depths of courage,compassion and determination coupled with humility.
Good on yer mate!

Oddball02 Jul 2007 3:04 p.m. PST

Hats off to him, well done.

Conrad02 Jul 2007 3:05 p.m. PST

Typically NZ!

"I see myself as Willy Apiata. I'm just an ordinary person and this is me."

About as understated as you can get. Them Kiwi's aren't big on hogging limelight, are they?

I hope he lives to be 105 and hears me delivering the eulogy.

John Armatys02 Jul 2007 3:08 p.m. PST

I also hadn't realised that New Zealand had its own VC – link Cpl Apiata is the first to be awarded the medal.

Whatisitgood4atwork02 Jul 2007 3:20 p.m. PST

No, I hadn't realised that either. It has been reported here in NZ as a VC, with 'NZ's own VC' somewhere in the small print.

It is part of NZ's slow move away from Britain.

Until recently, the highest court of the land wasn't in the land – it was the Law Lords of the Privy Council in the UK.

We did away with Knighthoods that conferred the title 'Sir' or 'Dame' a few years ago in favour of our own 'Order of NZ' and similar honours too.

I must admit, while I am a Republican by inclination, I do feel that an 'Order of NZ' rather short-changes the recipients compared to a 'Sir' or 'Dame'. As a previous recipient points out 'Sir' gets you a table at a restraunt anywhere in the world. Recipient of 'The Order of NZ' wouldn't.

I am glad to see our own gallantry award sticks as closely as possible to the VC standard and seems to be recognised as the equivalent. I would hate to think Cpl Apiata was short changed.

I haven't found a link, but I am assuming they are still made from the metal from those guns.

Whatisitgood4atwork02 Jul 2007 3:25 p.m. PST

As an aside, NZ's SAS recently also recieved a Presidential Unit Citation from the USA for its service in Afghanistan.

link

The coverage suggests the unit members are all as modest and unassuming as Cpl Apiata, so were probably quite happy that none of them could be identified.

GrotGnome02 Jul 2007 3:28 p.m. PST

The "New Zealand VC & Ribbon" is identical to the existing VC and is made by the same company from the same materials. The "New Zealand" part of the title means it's awarded by NZ authorities, not the British as in the past.

Whatisitgood4atwork02 Jul 2007 3:49 p.m. PST

Thank you Grot.

Sparker18 Feb 2008 1:27 p.m. PST

Respect to the man. But I don't think the article is accurate in saying he is the first Commonwealth VC since the war. Didn't a Fijian win one in Oman in the 70's firing a 25 Pdr single handedly at some Terrs? Not that it in any way diminishes Cpl Apiata's inspiring achievement.

22ndIndependent30 Dec 2010 4:09 p.m. PST

nope he didn't get one-damn well should've but UK never acknowledges SF ops.

Uesugi Kenshin Supporting Member of TMP08 Feb 2011 4:24 p.m. PST

I love these stories. Thanks for sharing.

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