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FReeper Canteen ~ Cpl Apiata, NZ, Awarded Victoria Cross
Serving The Best Troops In The World | Diehard the Hunter & The Canteen Crew

Posted on 07/12/2007 6:08:02 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska









Canteen Mission Statement

Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies military
and the family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.




Corporal Bill Henry "Willy" Apiata, VC (born 28 June 1972 in Mangakino, New Zealand) is a member of the Special Air Service of New Zealand and the first recipient of the Victoria Cross for New Zealand. He is also the first New Zealander to be awarded a Victoria Cross since 1943. He received the award on July 2, 2007 for bravery under fire during the Afghanistan conflict in 2004, after carrying a wounded compatriot across a battlefield to receive medical treatment.


Fanfare For The Common Man

God Defend New Zealand

Po Karekare Ana

How Bizarre

Temaeva Haka


Queen Victoria chose the design for the new decoration. It is in the form of a Maltese Cross ensigned with the Royal Crest and a scroll inscribed simply "For Valour". It is connected by a V-shaped link to a bar engraved on the face with the recipient's name. The date of the deed for which the honour is bestowed is engraved on the back of the Cross itself. It is worn on the left breast, before all other medals and awards, suspended from a 1½-inch wide red ribbon. Originally the VC ribbon was blue for the Navy, and dark red for the Army. Since 1918, all VC awards use the crimson shade. The medal itself was, and still is, made of bronze melted down from the Russian cannons captured at Sevastopol in the Crimean War.

The Haka

Pacific Colours

Kilikiti Dance

Tarakihi (The Locust)

Po Ata Rau


The Special Air Service of New Zealand (NZ SAS) was formed on July 7, 1955 as an elite New Zealand Army and highly-secretive unit capable of undertaking special missions. It was modelled on the British Special Air Service (SAS).

The New Zealand Government states that NZ SAS is the "premier combat unit of the New Zealand Defence Force", is based in Auckland, and has the motto "who dares wins".

The elite unit is "capable of undertaking unconventional warfare". Its key roles are to undertake overseas missions and respond to domestic terrorist attacks.

The New Zealand SAS is held in high regard internationally - as demonstrated by the United States Presidential Citation awarded to the NZSAS on 7 December 2004.


Please remember that The Canteen is Family Friendly.





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To: PAR35; Kathy in Alaska

Never mind - I found the answer: “The Victoria Cross for New Zealand was instituted in 1999 to replace the British Victoria Cross for future awards to New Zealand military personnel.”
http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/category/d/d1.html


41 posted on 07/12/2007 6:44:05 PM PDT by PAR35
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Airborne Commander
Photo by USAMHI
July 08, 2007

Major General Matthew B. Ridgway (center), Commanding General, 82nd Airborne Division, and staff, overlooking the battlefield near Ribera, Sicily, 25 July 1943. Each officer wears the distinctive jump jacket and pants with large pockets and boots. (Matthew B. Ridgway Collection).
42 posted on 07/12/2007 6:45:08 PM PDT by gpapa
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To: Kathy in Alaska

NZ winners of the British VC (alpha listing):

Awards to New Zealand Servicemen

Corporal Leslie Wilton Andrew; 2nd Wellington Regt., 1st NZEF; 31 July 1917; Basseville, France; 6 September 1917. He later joined the N.Z. Staff Corps, rising to the rank of brigadier, and was awarded the D.S.O. during the Second World War.

Corporal Cyril Royston Guyton Bassett; N.Z. Divisional Signal Coy., 1st NZEF; 7 August 1915; Chunuk Bair Ridge, Gallipoli; 15 October 1915. This was the first New Zealand award during the First World War.

Sergeant Donald Forrester Brown; 2nd Battalion, N.Z. Infantry, 1st NZEF; 15 September 1916; south-east of High Wood, France; 14 June 1917. (Posthumous award.)

Private James Crichton; 2nd Battalion, Auckland Regt., 1st NZEF; 30 September 1918; Crevecoeur, France; 15 November 1918. Died at Auckland on 22 September 1961, aged 82 years.

Sergeant Keith Elliott; 22nd Battalion, 2nd NZEF; 15 July 1942, Ruweisat, Western Desert; 24 September 1942. Became a clerk in holy orders after the war.

Sergeant Samuel Forsyth; N.Z. Engineers attached 2nd Auckland Battalion, 1st NZEF; 24 August 1918; Grevillers, France; 22 October 1918. (Posthumous award.)

Lance-Corporal Samuel Frickleton; 3rd Battalion, N.Z. Rifle Brigade, 1st NZEF; 7 July 1917; Messines, Belgium; 2 August 1918.

Sergeant John Gilroy Grant; 1st Battalion, Wellington Regt., 1st NZEF; 1 September 1918; near Bancourt, France; 27 November 1918.

Farrier-Major William James Hardham; 4th Contingent, N.Z. Mounted Rifles; 28 January 1901; near Naauwpoort, South Africa; 4 October 1901. Later a major, he died on 13 April 1928.

Captain Charles Heaphy; Auckland Militia; 11 February 1864; Mangapiko River, New Zealand; 8 February 1867. Later a major, he died at Brisbane, Australia, on 3 August 1881, aged 59 years.

Sergeant John Daniel Hinton; 20th Battalion, 2nd NZEF; 28–29 April 1941; Kalamai, Greece; 17 October 1941.

Sergeant Alfred Clive Hulme; 23rd Battalion, 2nd NZEF; 20–28 May 1941; Maleme, Galatos, Suda Bay, and Stylos. Crete; 14 October 1941.

Sergeant Reginald Stanley Judson, D.C.M., M.M.; 1st Battalion, Auckland Regt., 1st NZEF; 26 August 1918; south of Bapaume, France; 30 October 1918.

Sergeant Harry John Laurent; 2nd Battalion, N.Z. Rifle Brigade, 1st NZEF; 12 September 1918; east of Gouzeaucourt Wood, France; 15 November 1918.

Second-Lieutenant Moananui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu; 28th (Maori) Battalion, 2nd NZEF; 26 March 1943; Tebaga Gap, Tunisia; 4 June 1943. (Posthumous award.)

Private Henry James Nicholas; 1st Battalion, Canterbury Regt., 1st NZEF; 3 December 1917; Polderhoek, Belgium; 11 January 1918.

Sergeant Richard Charles Travis, D.C.M., M.M.; 2nd Battalion Otago Regt., 1st NZEF; 24 July 1918; north of Hebuterne France; 27 September 1918. (Posthumous award.) His correct name was Dickson Cornelius Savage, but he enlisted and served under the family name of Travis.

Squadron Leader Leonard Henry Trent, D.F.C.; RNZAF (No. 487 (N.Z.) Sqn. RAF); 3 May 1943; over Amsterdam, Holland; 1 March 1946.

Flying Officer Lloyd Allan Trigg, D.F.C.; RNZAF (No. 200 Sqn. RAF); 11 August 1943; anti-submarine patrol, Atlantic Ocean; 2 November 1943. (Posthumous award.)

Second-Lieutenant Charles Hazlitt Upham; 20th Battalion, 2nd NZEF. V.C. –22–30 May 1941; Maleme, Galatos, and Sphakia, Crete; 14 October 1941. Bar – As a captain; 14 July 1942; Ruweisat Ridge, Western Desert; 26 September 1945.

Sergeant-Pilot James Allen Ward; RNZAF (No. 75 (N.Z.) Sqn. RAF); 7 July 1941; over the Zuider Zee, Holland; 5 August 1941. This was the first New Zealand award during the Second World War. He was killed on operations over Germany on 15 September 1941.
http://www.teara.govt.nz/1966/V/VictoriaCross/AwardsToNewZealandServicemen/en

Awards to New Zealanders in Other Forces

Private Thomas Cooke; 8th Battalion, Australian Imperial Forces; 24–25 July 1916; Pozieres, France; 9 September 1916. (Posthumous award.)

Captain (temporary Lieutenant-Colonel) Bernard Cyril Freyberg, D.S.O.; Royal West Surrey Regt., Commanding Hood Battalion, Royal Naval Division; 13 November 1916; north of Ancre, France; 15 December 1916. Later, as a lieutenant-general commanded the 2nd NZEF throughout the war, and was Governor-General of New Zealand, 1946–52. Created Baron Freyberg of Wellington, New Zealand, in 1951.

Second-Lieutenant William Barnard Rhodes-Moorhouse; Special Reserve, RFC; 26 April 1915; near Courtrai, France; 22 May 1915. (Posthumous award.)

Acting-Lieutenant William Edward Sanders; Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Prize; 30 April 1917; “Q” ship action at sea; 22 June 1917. Later awarded the D.S.O. and went down with his ship on 14 August 1917. A New Zealand yachting award, the Sanders Cup, is named after him.

Captain Alfred John Shout; 1st Battalion, Australian Imperial Forces; 9 August 1915; Lone Pine Trenches, Gallipoli; 15 October 1915. (Posthumous award.)

Lieutenant Percy Valentine Storkey; 19th Battalion, Australian Imperial Forces; 7 April 1918; Bois de Hangard, France; 7 June 1918.

Temporary Corporal Lawrence Carthage Weathers; 43rd Battalion, Australian Imperial Forces; 2 September 1918; north of Peronne, France; 26 December 1918. He was mortally wounded 29 September 1918 and died without learning of his Victoria Cross.
http://www.teara.govt.nz/1966/V/VictoriaCross/AwardsToNewZealandersInOtherForces/en

Awards to Imperial Servicemen During the 2nd Maori War

Ensign John Thornton Down; 57th Regt. (1st Battalion, The Middlesex Regt.); 2 October 1863; Poutoko, N.Z., 22 September 1864. Died at Otahuhu Camp on 27 April 1866, aged 24 years.

Colour-Sergeant John Lucas; 40th Regt. (1st Battalion, The South Lancashire Regt.); 18 March 1861; Te Arei, N.Z.; 17 July 1861.

Colour-Sergeant Edward MacKenna; 65th Regt. (1st Battalion, The York and Lancaster Regt.); 7 September 1863; near Camerontown, Waikato Heads, N.Z.; 16 January 1864. On discharge from the Army in 1867 he joined the N.Z. Railways and at the time of his retirement was stationmaster at Palmerston North, where he died in 1908.

Lieutenant-Colonel John Carstairs McNeill; 107th Regt. (2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regt.); 30 March 1864; Ohaupo N.Z.; 16 August 1864. Later became a major-general, K.C.B., K.C.M.G.

Assistant-Surgeon William George Nicholas Manley; Royal Artillery; 29 April 1864; Gate Pa, Tauranga, N.Z.; 22 September 1864. Later became Surgeon-General and served with a British ambulance with the Prussian Army during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–71, being awarded the Iron Cross, 2nd class. He is the only man ever to be awarded both the Victoria Cross and the Iron Cross.

Captain of the Foretop Samuel Mitchell; Royal Navy, HMS Harrier; 29 April 1864; Gate Pa, Tauranga, N.Z.; 23 July 1864. Later took up farming in New Zealand and was drowned in the Mikonui River, South Westland, in 1894.

Sergeant John Murray; 68th Regt. (1st Battalion, Durham Light Infantry); 21 June 1864; Kaiopopo Pa, Te Ranga, N.Z., 4 November 1864.

Leading Seaman William Odgers; Royal Navy, HMS Niger; 28 March 1860; Waireka, N.Z.; 3 August 1860. This was the first awarded in New Zealand.

Lieutenant Arthur Frederick Pickard; Royal Artillery; 20 November 1863; Rangiriri, N.Z.; 22 September 1864. Later became lieutenant-colonel and assistant private secretary to Queen Victoria. Died in 1880, aged 38 years.

Lance-Corporal John Ryan; 65th Regt. (1st Battalion, The York and Lancaster Regt.); 7 September 1863; near Camerontown, Waikato Heads, N.Z.; 16 January 1864. He was drowned in 1863 trying to rescue a drunken soldier who had fallen in the Waikato River.

Captain Hugh Shaw; 18th Regt. (Royal Irish Regt.); 24 January 1865; Nukumaru, N.Z.; 28 November 1865. He later became a major-general, C.B.

Captain Frederick Augustus Smith; 43rd Regt. (1st Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry); 21 June 1864; Kaiopopo Pa, Te Ranga, N.Z.; 4 November 1864.

Drummer Dudley Stagpoole; 57th Regt. (1st Battalion, The Middlesex Regt.); 2 October 1863; Poutoko, N.Z.; 22 September 1864.

Assistant-Surgeon William Temple; Royal Artillery; 20 November 1863; Rangiriri, N.Z.; 22 September 1864.
http://www.teara.govt.nz/1966/V/VictoriaCross/AwardsToImperialServicemenDuringThe2ndMaori/en


43 posted on 07/12/2007 6:50:11 PM PDT by PAR35
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To: laurenmarlowe

(((Lauren))) I am good. We just had a lovely hard rain and everything smells delicious! :D

Yeeehaawww! Now that IS exciting news! I’ll bet you can hardly wait...and they’ll have a reeeeeeely good baby-sitter! LOL

I talked to my son today. Piper is trying her best to get up on her hands and knees to crawl. She just doesn’t have that coordination thingy quite down yet.


44 posted on 07/12/2007 6:51:43 PM PDT by luvie (You never win when you play not to lose....Rush Limbaugh)
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To: PAR35
Welcome to the Canteen, PAR35

The Victoria Cross (VC) is a military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of armed forces of some Commonwealth countries and previous British Empire territories. It may be awarded to a person of any rank in any service and civilians under military command, and is presented to the recipient by the British monarch during an investiture held at Buckingham Palace.

The Victoria Cross for New Zealand was instituted in 1999 to replace the British Victoria Cross for future awards to New Zealand military personnel. The Victoria Cross for New Zealand is the premier New Zealand award for gallantry. It is awarded for ‘most conspicuous gallantry, or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour, self sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy or of belligerents'. There are three other awards for gallantry in the New Zealand honours system: the New Zealand Gallantry Star, the New Zealand Gallantry Decoration, and the New Zealand Gallantry Medal.

The rest of the story about the Victoria Cross for New Zealand

The original Victoria Cross had been awarded to 21 New Zealanders. Eleven of these awards were for action in the First World War. As of 2 July 2007, the Victoria Cross for New Zealand has been awarded only once. It was announced on 2 July 2007, that Corporal Bill (Willy) Apiata of the NZ SAS was awarded the Victoria Cross for New Zealand for his actions in saving the life of a "comrade under heavy fire from opposing forces" during the Afghanistan conflict in 2004. As of 7 July 2007 he is yet to formally receive the medal. It will be awarded in a special ceremony by the Governor-General with the approval of Sovereign.

45 posted on 07/12/2007 6:51:50 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: PAR35

GMTA......we each posted the answer. Thanks for adding more information.


46 posted on 07/12/2007 6:53:45 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: AZamericonnie

Thanks, AZ, for the red, white, and blue tribute.


47 posted on 07/12/2007 6:54:47 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: PAR35

If you can find it, read “Mark of the Lion”. It is about Charlie Upham, winner of the VC with bar. Excellent book.


48 posted on 07/12/2007 6:56:25 PM PDT by U S Army EOD
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To: LUV W

How cute! It’s so fun to hear about their progress.

We’ve got teething and rolling over going on here, LOL!

Sure hoping that the rain you had today is heading this way!


49 posted on 07/12/2007 6:57:33 PM PDT by laurenmarlowe
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To: SevenofNine

50 posted on 07/12/2007 6:57:45 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: SandRat

Thanks, Sand, for the great pictures of our troops in action. This little boy will never forget the kindness of our military men and women. The kids are the future.


51 posted on 07/12/2007 7:00:22 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: SandRat

A little girl who knows what freedom is for an American women......the future awaits.


52 posted on 07/12/2007 7:01:47 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: laurenmarlowe

I think Piper has been rolling over, but I can’t remember whether it’s front-to-back or vice-versa. He didn’t mention teething...but it’s about that time, huh.

The rain cloud seems to be stuck over Midland...naturally. It blew out of here pretty quickly, but left some good moisture. It was a HARD rain! Loved it! :D


53 posted on 07/12/2007 7:02:07 PM PDT by luvie (You never win when you play not to lose....Rush Limbaugh)
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To: The Mayor

Hi, Rus. Hope you’re having a good week! Is it heating up a lot up there? It’s still in the 90s here...no 100s yet...XXcrossing fingersXX!

Thanks for our beautiful lesson from God’s Word.


54 posted on 07/12/2007 7:04:25 PM PDT by luvie (You never win when you play not to lose....Rush Limbaugh)
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To: LUV W

That’s awesome!

Gotta go finish a couple of chores so I can goof off all weekend, LOL!

Talk to ya later!

*HUGS*


55 posted on 07/12/2007 7:05:09 PM PDT by laurenmarlowe
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To: Kathy in Alaska; mylife; LUV W; NYTexan; laurenmarlowe; Old Sarge; TASMANIANRED; HiJinx; BIGLOOK; ..

Thanks for tonites thread Ma!
*HUG*
Good evening Canteeners and Troops!
I’m in for a short visit..
Hugs alla round
Ms.B


56 posted on 07/12/2007 7:06:55 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (Women who behave rarely make history)
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To: MS.BEHAVIN

(((MS Bee!)))

How ya feelin hon?


57 posted on 07/12/2007 7:09:33 PM PDT by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: gpapa
We honor our veterans...


58 posted on 07/12/2007 7:10:00 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: laurenmarlowe

By all means....we need ya here to “play” on the weekend! :D

Have a great evening! (((hugs)))


59 posted on 07/12/2007 7:10:36 PM PDT by luvie (You never win when you play not to lose....Rush Limbaugh)
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To: mylife

(((((((((((mylife)))))))))))
VERY sore, but better, thanks..
Gosh, I slept all afternoon today..
I’ve been gettin’ some serious nap time!
LOL
Ms.B


60 posted on 07/12/2007 7:11:17 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (Women who behave rarely make history)
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