Veterans stick to the 'happy stuff'

Frank Sanft, 89 (left), and 97-year-old Keith Stewart swap yarns. Photo / Dean Purcell

Lunch honours surviving Officers Club members.

For 89-year-old retired naval officer Frank Sanft, his most memorable time in military service was taking part in the Normandy landings in 1944.

Today, the World War II veteran still looks forward to meeting his mates at the Officers Club - where rather than share war stories, they talk about "happy stuff".

"The war has a way of bonding people for life ... Occasionally we argue the toss - 'Who was there, no you weren't, yes I was', you know, and 'What a bastard so-and-so was'" - the great-grandfather of two said.

"Generally it's the common interest that we have that's brought us together."

Mr Sanft is one of just 12 surviving club members who served in the army, navy and air force during World War II.

Seven of these retired officers, whose ages range between 89 and 97, were special guests at a lunch held in their honour yesterday.

Organiser Philip Fry said the function at a private Auckland venue aimed to film and record the memories and stories of the remaining club members.

"Of course in a few years' time there won't be many left," said Mr Fry.

"There are about 3000 World War II veterans left in New Zealand and the Institute of Professional Photographers is working on trying to photograph every one of them."

World War II officers (from left) Frank Sanft, Humph Ewens, 85, Doug Ross, 93, John Foote, 93, Bill Williams, 89, Keith Stewart and (front) Rangi Ryan, 94, at the special lunch yesterday.

Mr Fry said the club was co-operating with the institute to make that happen.

Doug Ross, 93, said he was trained as a commando in Australia and believed he was among the first of New Zealand's elite SAS soldiers.

Wearing his nine war medals to the lunch, the retired lieutenant-colonel said he looked forward to club functions to link up with old war mates.

"All of us [officers] who were in the military joined this club immediately after the war and it is where we still meet and get together," Mr Ross said.

"We don't really talk about the war itself, but the happier side ... the friendships you made.

"The one great thing the army did for us was that we all became great friends."

The social group was formed in 1903.

Its aim was supporting servicemen and fostering patriotism.

It also provides a social environment for members to maintain past associations and their interest in defence matters.

A total of about 105,000 men and women from New Zealand served overseas during World War II.

Nearly 7000 died on active army service and 11,000 in all services.

NZ in World War II

Q: How many New Zealanders fought in World War II?

By mid-1940, about 20,000 had left for overseas service with the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force. They fought in the Middle East, Britain and Italy. In total, about 105,000 New Zealanders - men and women - served overseas.

Q: How many Kiwis died in battle during the war?

A total of more than 11,000, including 7000 serving with the army. Nearly 16,000 were wounded.

Q: How many veterans are still alive?

There are 3000 World War II veterans left in New Zealand. The Institute of Professional Photographers plans to photograph every one of them.