6 November 2008
Commemorative banners for World War Two infantry battalion veterans and a Clasp to an Armed Forces Award will be presented by Chief of Army Major General Lou Gardiner in a special ceremony at Headquarters of 3rd Auckland and Northland Battalion Group on Monday.
After an appeal from the Army to find 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF) infantry battalion members from the 2nd and 3rd Divisions, representatives from several of the 18 battalions have come forward, and four of the units will be presented with their banners at the ceremony in Auckland.
The banners being presented are for the 21, 22, 24 Battalions and Divisional Cavalry.
The banners, similar to British legion flags, serve as a symbol of the sacrifice while serving for King and Country and will provide something for each unit to affiliate to as they are handed from generation to generation.
Seven of the 18 Battalion banners have been presented in ceremonies in Wellington and the 28th Maori Battalion received their unit flag at their annual reunion in Gisborne on the weekend of 23 March 2008.
Major (Retired) Denis Dwane, MBE, will be awarded the clasp to his Armed Forces award for 49 years service to the NZ Army.
Where: 3rd Auckland and Northland Battalion Group HQ, Arch Hill, 204-234 Great North Road, Grey Lynn
When: Monday 10 November, 2 pm - 2:45 pm
What: Presentation of WW2 Infantry Battalion banners
Who: Chief of Army, WW2 Veterans, Major Denis Dwane
ENDS
Media interested in attending the ceremony are asked to register their interest with Paul Stein, Army Public Relations no later than 3:00pm 7 November.
For more information please contact Paul Stein on 06 351 9037 or 021 409 033.
The recipients for Monday are:
21 Bn Mr C.W. Hollies
22 Bn Mr Haddon Donald
24 Bn Mr Alan Mason
Div Cav Mr Bob Scott
NZEF History:
As NZ and the other Dominions joined Great Britain in declaring war on Germany on 3 September 1939, the NZ Army comprised 578 Regular Force, 10,364 Territorial Force and 62 vehicles.
The title ‘Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force’ (2NZEF) was adopted officially on 12 December 1939 and on 5 January 1940 the first echelon comprising 354 officers and 6175 other ranks embarked for the Middle East.
The second echelon on followed in May 1940 and the third echelon in August 1940. Reinforcements followed throughout the remainder of the war.
Japans military alliance with the axis powers on 27 September 1940 resulted in NZ despatching, within a month, strong forces to Fiji. This force became the nucleus of the Third Division of 2NZEF deploying in support of the Pacific War effort.
Following a request from the 28 Battalion Association the Chief of Army at the time, Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae directed that ceremonial banners be produced for all 2NZEF infantry battalions.
After consultation with the NZ Herald of Arms, Mr Philip O’Shea, a design was approved and the banners manufactured.
A description of the Banners is as follows – the 2NZEF ‘Onwards’ Badge proper, central on a field of red with the individual unit identifier printed below the badge. The Banners are mounted on a pike and secured with black and white cords and tassels, the NZ national colours. The pike is topped with a gilt spearhead finial.
Major Denis Dwane
Major Dwane enlisted into the regular force of the New Zealand army on 29 January 1958, as a regular force cadet. He Graduated into the Royal Regiment of New Zealand artillery on 23 February 1960 and was posted to 161 Battery, 16 field regiment.
Completing a basic all arms instructor course in April 1960 he was subsequently posted to the National Service Training unit in Waiouru.
He returned to 161 Battery in May 1964 and in June 1965 was posted to active service in the former South Vietnam with his unit. During this period 161 Battery was attached to the United States 173d Airborne Brigade (separate) at Bien Hoa. On return from active service he was posted to the regular force depot, Waiouru, as an instructor.
Major Dwane returned to South Vietnam for a second tour in September 1967 as a gun sergeant 161 battery, with 1 Australian task force, Nui Dat. He returned to the regular force depot in March 1968.
Major Dwane was commissioned as a lieutenant and quartermaster with effect 23 February 1980 and was posted as a company commander to Burnham training depot.
Major Dwane was posted as second in command, New Zealand base support unit, Singapore, in May 1983. This was followed by a posting to the 1st battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, Singapore and, on return to New Zealand, as adjutant Papakura camp in September 1985. He was promoted to Major in March 1987 and assumed the appointment of commandant, Papakura camp.
Major Dwane took his release from the army in March 1990. He reenlisted in March 1991 and was posted to 16 Field Regiment, Papakura, in the rank of Captain. He was promoted to Major with effect 19 July 1993 on assuming the appointment of second in command, 16 Field Regiment.
Major Dwane has taken an active interest in the local community and he has supported the royal New Zealand returned and services association, youth groups, sports groups, schools and charitable organisations. He was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1990 and holds an army pocket through selection as manager for the 1995 army rugby team. He has also studied oral and written mandarin.
Major Dwane was made a member of the military division of the most excellent order of the British Empire in the 1994 Queen's Birthday honours. He is also the recipient of the Operational Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the General Service Medal with Clasp Vietnam, the 1990 medal and the Vietnam Star. He has been awarded the United States Meritorious Unit Citation and the Republic of Vietnam Presidential Citation.
He was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (military) with effect 13 January 1975 on completion of eighteen years exemplary service, and the Armed Forces Award with effect 3 January 1992, on completion of an additional fifteen years service.
Major Dwane is awarded the Clasp to the Armed Forces Award with effect 3 January 2007, on completion of an additional fifteen years service.
Major Dwane took his release from the army on completion of his engagement in December 2007. He has served the New Zealand army honourably and professionally for a period of almost fifty years.