A battle to request medals for soldiers of the Māori Battalion
who did not receive them has come to fruition
for a man who has dedicated his time and effort
to ensure those men and their families are honoured
for what they sacrificed.
And it has come as a surprise to a 93-year-old widow
as she found out her beloved will be one of the men
who is owed medals for his services.
Irena Smith caught up her and her family for a trip down memory lane.
A soldier of the 28th Māori Battalion.
Frank Hale fought on the battlefields of Egypt and Italy.
He got injured and was sent home to the hospital at Rotorua
where he met nurse Adelaide Anderson.
It became a long-lived loving relationship with five children.
But this widow did know about what Frank endured in the war.
He is just one of hundreds of Māori Battalion soldiers
who did not receive or did not request for their medals.
Through the research and efforts of David Stone
they will soon be honoured.
Although he started doing the research
for his own grand father's medals he says
he realised that there were many more families
who don't have medals either.
It's been 40 plus years since Frank passed away
but the love for him remains
and the memories of this 93-year-old have not faded.
The medal ceremonies have been organised
for February and March affirming the work David has done
and upholding those words that they will be remembered.
Irena Smith, Te Karere.