Uncle John served at Crete in A Company. He was the eldest of 5 brothers, my father Te Hira (Harry) being the youngest. Uncle was wounded twice on different occasions, before being repatriated home. He never spoke of his experiences in combat. Men who served alongside him, gave a very good account of his abilities as a soldier. Uncle was a gentle, quiet, unassuming man. We lost him to a boating accident off the Opononi wharf, shortly after my father died in 1966. Ake ake kia kaha, kia toa, kia manawanui!