Army major collapses and dies at rehearsal

Monique-Maria Brown. Photo / Supplied

An army major who collapsed and died during a rehearsal for an official ceremony at Trentham will be buried today with full military honours.

Monique-Maria Brown, 47, collapsed at the military camp on Monday during a practice run of a welcoming ceremony for the new Chief of Army, Major General Timothy Keating.

Army medics tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate Major Brown, a former military police officer.

The cause of death has not been established. Her family believe she may have had a heart attack, but an autopsy was unable to determine why she died.

Her husband, Errol, who is also in the army, and sons Harrison, 17, and Levi, 13, were too distraught to speak about her death.

Family spokesman David Chambers said Major Brown was an "absolutely awesome" person.

"You couldn't ask for a more lovely lady," he said. "Her mana was just amazing."

Mr Chambers said the coroner had ordered samples to be taken to find out how Major Brown died.

"She just collapsed. It was pretty sudden."

Major Brown was born and raised in Waiouru but was living in Linton, where she was serving in the 2nd Logistics Battalion.

She had been in the army for almost 17 years and was passionate about youth projects such as a centre for teenagers at Waiouru.

She told Army News in 2008 that the centre made a "huge positive impact and difference to not only the kids, but to the whole Waiouru community".

"Before, teens spent their weekend nights at home with one or two mates during the winter or out roaming the streets in the summer. Now they have a place to hang out and catch up with their mates. It's a really positive, high-energy environment and the kids thrive in it."

Mr Chambers said: "Monique had a lot of time for the young ones and it was a two-way thing.

"Everyone knew Monique and that was evident when we arrived back in Waiouru with her body. The crowd that assembled at the marae was absolutely fantastic."

Army spokesman Major Aaron Couchman said Major Brown was the holder of an Armed Forces Award for long service and good conduct.

She was also involved in setting up a weapons training facility at the Waiouru Military Camp.

She was the project manager for a simulator that allowed soldiers to train in a computer-generated landscape, using weapons that fire compressed air. The aim was to give recruits experience before they ventured on to a real rifle range

Major Brown's funeral will be held today at the National Army Marae at Waiouru. The funeral will include a gun carriage and firing party and General Keating is expected to attend.