Editorial: Humble stalwart of Maori Battalion

In the 1940s Ngunguru was scarcely populated, an idyllic coastal settlement at the end of a windy metal road where the fishing was great, the summer days long and uncomplicated.

So the war in North Africa and Italy must have seemed like hell for 19-year-old Ngunguru lad Bill Pitman, who saw action with the the legendary 28th Maori Battalion.

Bill, who passed away this past week, is believed to be one of the last Northland members of the 28th.

As a school child I sang "Maori battalion march to victory" with little understanding of the mana associated with a battalion that consisted of 3600 strong, young Maori warriors.

Of the 3600, 649 were killed and another 1712 wounded - a casualty rate almost 50 per cent higher than average for New Zealand infantry battalions. In those days, the antipodean troops were at the forefront of the initial waves of attacks.

The 28th was thrust into the thick of the action and fought bravely, and with skill.

Bill survived, coming home without serious injury. Home to Ngunguru, where he lay in state after his death last Thursday.

Last year, Northern Advocate reporter Lindy Laird spent time with Bill just before Anzac Day. He had never missed an Anzac Day. Nor a Maori Battalion reunion for that matter.

"You have a good yarn, you have a good cry," he told Lindy.

They'll have certainly been yarning and having a good cry at Ngunguru this past week during Bill's tangi.

Along with a few laughs amidst the reminiscing.

I'm sure many Northlanders would join me in passing condolences to the Pitman whanau.

The song we sang at school was "Ake ake kia kaha" (forever, be strong).

It was a rallying cry, a call to arms. We should be forever grateful to men like Bill, who answered that call.