Peter Awatere, 'the Muktar'

While the Battalion was in Syria in 1942, Captain Peter Awatere, then commander of D Company, earned a new nickname, 'the Muktar'. The word referred to the head of a village clan. Awatere had impressed the locals at a feast by devouring the cooked head of a sheep and swallowing its eyes. He would later command the 28th Battalion, with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, from July to August 1944 and again from November 1944 to June 1945.

Lieutenant Colonel Arapeta Awatere, embarked with the 4th Reinforcements. He was wounded twice. He recieved the Distinguished Service Order and Military Cross.