December 18, 2012
Māori Battalion veteran Don Taylor dies
The 28th Māori Battalion is down to just two dozen men.
The funeral service was held today for 92-year-old veteran Donald Taylor, who died peacefully last week in Gisborne.
He will rest in the servicemen's lawn at Taruheru Cemetery.
Mr Taylor, from Manutuke, embarked with the 10th Reinforcements.
He was wounded once and mentioned in dispatches, and reached the rank of temporary lance corporal.
His death comes just days after the 28th Māori Battalion Association wound itself up, as its members decided it should get its affairs in order while there was still a last man standing.
Of the 3600 men who served voluntarily with the battalion, 655 were killed or died on active service, 1712 were wounded and 267 were taken prisoner.
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