Closure as soldier f inally brought home
It’s been a long wait for Timaru’s Colleen Walker, who has finally found closure as she prepares for her brother’s long-awaited homecoming.
Russell James Craig Moore was just 19 when he died following an accident in the engine room of the HMNZS Lachlan in Pago Pago, the capital of American Samoa, on July 9, 1956.
Russell, who was in his first year of service as a Royal New Zealand Navy engineer, was buried in Pago Pago as it was too costly for his parents, the late Bob and Gwen Moore, to bring their son home to Timaru.
Prior to 1955 it was government policy to inter fallen New Zealand personnel overseas. Between 1955 and 1971 personnel could be brought home, provided their families bore the cost. However, that has changed following the announcement on Wednesday that the repatriation of New Zealand service personnel will be extended to the families of all personnel buried overseas after January 1, 1955.
In 1971 the Government began picking up the bill, but it was not backdated to 1955 when the policy change occurred.
Colleen, now 71, was just 9 when her older brother died, and said his death left her parents shattered.
‘‘My parents never got over it. ‘‘They wanted him brought back but they couldn’t afford it.’’
For more than six decades, Colleen and her extended family have hoped for closure over her brother’s death.
She wrote to numerous government departments and politicians to tell them Russell was always in her thoughts. She visited his grave in 1965.
Colleen finally received the good news in September last year when she was contacted by the Defence Force to say plans were in place to bring her brother’s body back to New Zealand.
‘‘I then told my extended family and they were thrilled. It’s just been marvellous,’’ she said.
The NZDF had been ‘‘absolutely brilliant’’ in terms of updating the family on progress, she said.
‘‘I have been appointed my own liaison person, who has kept regular contact.’’
Authorities will disinter Russell’s body in early May and fly it to Palmerston North’s Base Ohakea, where Colleen will be waiting to welcome him home.
Colleen said the Defence Force will then arrange for his body to be transported to Timaru, where his life will be celebrated at a public ceremony at the South Canterbury Returned and Services Association (SCRSA) on Saturday, May 12.
Russell will then be buried next to his mum and dad at the Timaru Cemetery.
‘‘It does mean a lot to me as it’s been a long time and it just seems like a nice thing,’’ she said.
‘‘There’s been a hole in my life and it will offer the whole family some closure.’’
That included another brother in Timaru and her late sister’s children, who would be flying from Australia for the celebration.
Colleen said she had cherished memories of Russell.
‘‘He was very tall, about 193 centimetres, and he was always on the go. He had heaps of girlfriends and mum would always get annoyed as there were always girls ringing home looking for him.’’
Colleen said her brother loved navy life.
‘‘It really changed him. Mum couldn’t believe it when he came home from service and did his own washing and ironing.
‘‘I’m just really grateful this has all happened and I’m looking forward to celebrating my brother’s life.’’
On Wednesday, Veterans Minister Ron Mark said the families of up to 36 New Zealand soldiers who died overseas decades ago would have the remains of their loved ones returned by October this year.
The Government will also contribute $1000 towards a memorial for each of those repatriated.