Former army tank driver Charlie Kerr will be sporting his war medals with great pride this Anzac Day.
The 95-year-old has been back from World War II for 63 years but has only just received five war medals for serving in the South Pacific during the conflict with
the Japanese. Working as a bush bulldozer driver when war broke out, Mr Kerr was called to service by the Government in 1940 and was soon serving on islands throughout the South Pacific. He was posted on Green Island when news came of the end of the war. He didn't know he was entitled to receive war medals until family and friends and the RSA brought it to his attention. The Rotorua RSA applied for the medals on behalf of Mr Kerr, who said he was grateful for the acknowledgement of his service.
"I don't know that it's right we should apply for [the medals] - they should have been given to us when we returned - but it was such a rush when the war ended."
Mr Kerr's platoon was nicknamed "the Coconut Bombers" but despite the beautiful island locations, serving in the Pacific was far from easy.
"It was no picnic. We couldn't even go fishing because we couldn't expose ourselves to the enemy."
Mr Kerr said he would be wearing his medals in memory of friends he lost while fighting for New Zealand's freedom at this year's Anzac commemorations.
"I will wear them with pride. War is not a pleasant thing."
In recent years Rotorua RSA secretary/manager Rolly Rolston has helped about 20 World War II returned servicemen and former soldiers who fought in following campaigns get medals acknowledging their wartime service. When World War II ended there were so many thousands of soldiers who returned that it would have been difficult to dish out medals to them all at that time, he said.
"They didn't have computers in those days." He said he was more than happy to help ensure returned servicemen were honoured for their efforts.
"They deserve it. They shouldn't have to ask for [medals]. It's lovely to see their faces when they finally get them."
Former army tank driver Charlie Kerr will be sporting his war medals with great pride this Anzac Day.
The 95-year-old has been back from World War II for 63 years but has only just received five war medals for serving in the South Pacific during the conflict with
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