About Me
As a teenager (some 30 plus years ago) I joined the Territorials and heard all about the 28th Maori Battilon. I thought what brave, heroic men and the pride I felt was overwhelming. Me and the others girls took great delight in singing their song. What's more I just knew there must have been someone in my family who was in the 28th Maori Battilon. My dad is Maori - Ngapuhi born in Russel and raised in Waitangi (no one could ever pick I am, I look more like my mum's Irish family). I asked my dad was anyone from our whanau in the 28th Maori Battilon, he said yes, his Uncle Dick who was my nan's brother. The next time I saw my Great Uncle Dick we had a wee talk about it and I got him to sign his name and write 28th Maori Battilon under it - I can tell you my heart was bursting with pride. Unfortunately, (29 years later) I don't no what I done with it, my uncle passed away many years ago, but the pride, love and gratitude I feel will always remain for Great Uncle Dick and all those who served their country, and made great sacrifices, some the ultimate, their lives, to ensure all of our futures.
Well I'm not in the Territorials anymore, I have a family - four children, a wonderful husband and my dad lives with us. I also became a Registered Nurse in the hope of giving something back to my country and try and follow in the footsteps of the previous generations.