Chief of Army pays tribute to last known soldier of famed Second World War battalion
It is with a heavy heart that Ngāti Tūmatauenga mourns the loss of Lance Corporal (Rtd) Doug Reid, the last known surviving member of 27 (Machine Gun) Battalion.
09 July, 2025
Kua hemo te rama ki te pae o te riri. Kua ngaro tētahi whetū nui i te kahui hōia o Aotearoa. Ka maumahara tātou ki a rātou.
A light has gone out on the battlefield. A great star from Aotearoa’s warrior constellation has been lost. We will remember them.
Mr Reid passed away peacefully on Sunday 6 July, aged 103.
“It was with great sadness that we learned of Mr Reid’s passing, and our thoughts are with his family as they come to terms with the loss of a great man. He was a tōtara across both his military and non-military families and he leaves a significant legacy, along with many cherished memories,” said Major General Rose King, Chief of Army.
Mr Reid – service number 440012 – enlisted in the New Zealand Army on 1 August 1941 and trained as an infantryman with the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force, where he would link up with 27 (Machine Gun) Battalion.
Doug Reid, at right, during the Second World War
27 (Machine Gun) Battalion fought in some of the toughest, most grueling campaigns of the Second World War, covering North Africa, the Middle East and later Italy – including the Battle of Monte Cassino.
Mr Reid was one of the wounded at Cassino with shrapnel wounds in his legs, but returned to the front lines around a month later.
In total, 182 members of 27 (Machine Gun) Battalion were killed during the Second World War, with a further 508 wounded and 257 captured.
“Mr Reid never asked to be one of the final soldiers to bear the weight and burden of his battalion, but he did so with humility, dignity and mana. He and his comrades epitomised the values that we continue to uphold today; Courage, Commitment, Comradeship and Integrity.”
Major General King had recently been able to catch up with Mr Reid shortly after the presentation of new King’s and Regimental Colours (ceremonial flags) to 2nd/1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, in which two battle honours were inherited from 27 (Machine Gun) Battalion.
Chief of Army Major General Rose King and Sergeant Major of the Army Warrant Officer Class One Dave Alder spent time with Mr Doug Reid following his battalion’s historic recognition on 2/1 RNZIR’s Colours.
Mr Reid had intended to travel for the presentation of the Colours but due to health reasons last year was unable to do so, and so the Chief of Army and Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA) Warrant Officer Class One Dave Alder visited him at his rest home in Auckland.
“Meeting Doug in person, and his whānau, was a great privilege. Doug was sharp as a tack and had a great sense of humor. As fellow service members there was a natural connection and easy conversation between Doug, SMA and I, and it was special to be able to present Doug an official book from the Colours parade. It was also heartwarming to see Doug connecting with other veterans at the Ranfurly retirement village in Auckland, including some who had served in the same area of operations but that he’d never met before.”
At the time, Mr Reid said it was “wonderful” to see his former unit’s recognition, and that he thought “the boys would be really thrilled”.
Major General King says it is now on today’s soldiers, and the Ngāti Tūmatauenga of tomorrow to ensure the connection to our predecessors remains strong.
“We are now unfortunately at a point in time where many of our final living links to historic units of the past - notably those involved in the Second World War - are no longer with us, and so our challenge is to continue to uphold and honour the legacy of Mr Reid, his fellow 27 (Machine Gun) Battalion comrades, and all those who endured some of the toughest battles and conditions our soldiers have ever faced. Their sacrifices and sense of service over self will never be forgotten.”
For his service during the Second World War, Lance Corporal (Rtd) Doug Reid was awarded the following medals; The 1939-45 Star, The Italy Star, The 1939-45 War Medal and The New Zealand War Service Medal.
Ngāti Tūmatauenga, the New Zealand Army will be supporting Mr Reid’s funeral which will be held at the Central Park Chapel, Davis Funerals, 150 Central Park Drive, Henderson, Auckland, on Friday 11 July at 11am.
Haere rā e te toa, kua oti tō haerenga.
Mā mātou e kawe tonu te uaratanga.
Ka maumahara tātou ki a rātou.
Farewell, Mr Reid — your journey is complete.
We will carry the legacy forward.
We will remember them.