This is taken from The Maori Battalion returns to Tamaki Makaurau, 30th National Reunion, March 2010.
Ivon Graham Harris
Reg. No. 6102
A Coy
Ivon was from the Hokianga and was already married to Podge when he enlisted. They both helped set up the 28 NZ (Maori) Battalion Auckland Association. They worked very hard for the men and the organisation and carried out much community service.
The family ran a fish shop in Parnell near the rehabilitation centre and later moved to Glen Innes to a fish and chip shop there for many years. However, Ivon was a wharfie along with other 28 Maori Battalion men like Jacky Brown and Toi Marsden.
Ivon remained involved not only with the Association but the RSA and Te Mahurehure Marae where there is a memorial stone in his name. In later years he returned toItalyon a trip to visit the war graves. His Holiness the Pope and even attended the Queen’s Sliver Jubilee celebrations.
Ivon and Podge’s names are still frequently mentioned by the veterans and their families.
See citation for Harris' Military Cross for his actions at Saterno River, Italy.
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