North Africa Veterans To Attend El Alamein Anniversary
Media Release
20 September 2012
North Africa Veterans To Attend El Alamein Anniversary
Twenty-four New Zealand veterans of the North Africa Campaign will attend commemorations in Egypt to mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle of El Alamein in October.
The veterans are aged between 88 and 96, and will travel to El Alamein as part of the official New Zealand delegation.
They will attend a New Zealand National Ceremony to mark the anniversary on 19 October 2012, and an International Commemoration Service on 20 October. Both ceremonies will take place at the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in El Alamein.
During the North African Campaign almost 10,000 New
Zealanders were killed or wounded, and more than 4,000
became prisoners of war. More than 1100 New Zealanders are
buried in the El Alamein Commonwealth War Graves cemetery
– the largest number of New Zealanders buried in one
cemetery outside New Zealand.
Veterans’ Affairs New
Zealand General Manager, Rick Ottaway says he is delighted
that 24 veterans will travel to Egypt for the
commemorations.
“These are brave men who have some incredible stories to tell from their time serving in the North Africa campaign.
“Many of them have vivid memories of their time there, and for most it will be an incredibly emotional experience.
“I’m delighted we can give them the opportunity to return to the country where they served as young men, and pay tribute to their comrades who did not return home with them, “Mr Ottaway said.
To be eligible to be part of the delegation, each veteran was required to have served in the North Africa Campaign, and to have been awarded the Africa Star. All veterans were medically assessed to ensure they are fit to travel and participate in the events in El Alamein.
Almost fifty expressions of interest were received, however thirteen applications were subsequently withdrawn by veterans themselves after reconsidering their ability to make the journey.
The delegation will travel to El Alamein by
Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Boeing 757. All
international travel, accommodation, on-ground transport,
and medical costs for veterans are being funded by
Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand.
Travel to the
commemoration remains subject to the acceptable security
environment in Egypt. New Zealand Government officials are
monitoring the situation on an ongoing basis.
Attached is
a list of some of the veterans attending commemorations to
mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle of El Alamein in
Egypt.
Name
Town/City Age
Mr
Maurice Abrahams Nelson
93
Mr Verdun Affleck Geraldine
94
Mr Bill Bristow Takanini, Auckland
93
Mr Stewart Frame Wanganui
96
Mr Regi Frew Katikati
91
Mr Arnold (Smiler) Hammond Pukekohe
94
Mr Charles (Charlie) Hessell Timaru
88
Mr Huia Holmes Geraldine
90
Mr Norman (Twig) Leaf St Heliers Bay
92
Mr William (Bill) Leitch Browns Bay
91
Mr Keith Mathews Manukau
94
Mr Andrew (Andy) McGovern Timaru
94
Mr Clive Meddings Cambridge
91
Mr Alan Peart Hamilton
90
Mr Allan Robinson Wilton,
Wellington 92
Mr Colin Rutherford
Dunedin 93
Mr Harry Spencer
Hastings 96
Mr Richard
(Dick) Spraggs Hamilton
89
Mr Joseph Topping New Plymouth
92
Mr Tom Wagstaff Takapuna
94
Mr John Wills Orewa
95
Mr Erik Wilson Howick
93
ENDS