Remains of soldiers, child return home
The remains of 27 New Zealand Army soldiers and one child buried in Malaysia and Singapore have been returned to their families at a ceremony at Auckland Airport.
The soldiers were serving in Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam when they died, while the child, Desmond Rogers, was the son of a member of the New Zealand Army.
The were honoured at a ramp ceremony at Auckland International Airport at 10am yesterday.
The repatriation was part of the NZDF’s Te Auraki (The Return) project, under which NZDF personnel and dependants buried overseas after January 1, 1955, will be returned to New Zealand following a change in Government policy.
The ramp ceremony was attended by relatives of those being repatriated, and senior New Zealand Defence Force officers, along with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Veterans Minister Ron Mark.
Ardern said it was a ‘‘hugely emotional time for the families’’.
‘‘Those repatriated today gave their lives serving for our nation, but due to a policy applied in an inconsistent and unfair way over many decades, were not returned home,’’ she said.
‘‘Most of those returned today were young men in their 20s when they died. Nine were killed in action during the Malayan Emergency or the Vietnam War.
‘‘The other New Zealanders who have come home today lost their lives in accidents or through illness, and include Desmond Rogers, the infant son of a service person who was just three and a half months old.
‘‘The loss and grief of their loved ones was the same, no matter what the cause of their passing. Today we acknowledge their sacrifice and service.
‘‘The families now have their loved ones home and can prepare them to be truly laid to rest,’’ Ardern said.
Mark said that before 1955, it was Government policy to inter fallen personnel overseas. Between 1955 and 1971 personnel could be bought home, with their families having to meet the cost.
‘‘Many families could not afford to bring their loved ones home and this caused pain and heartache, their families have lived with ever since.
‘‘In 1971 the Government began picking up the bill. But, it was not backdated to 1955 when the policy change occurred.’’
Representatives from Malaysia and Singapore were also present for the ceremony, along with representatives from Veterans Affairs, the Returned and Services’ Association, and Vietnam and Malayan veterans’ organisations.