December 16, 2013
Funeral for battling batman
One of the last South Island veterans of the 28 Maori Battalion will be laid to rest today.
Thomas Rangiora Tipa died on Friday in Timaru.
He was 89 from Ngai Tahu and Ngati Kahungunu,
Mr Tipa was in the first draft of 14th reinforcement, which arrived in Italy in October 1944, in time for some of the battalion's toughest fighting.
He was assigned as batman to Alfred "Bunty" Preece, who says he was a gentleman and a "damn fine soldier".
He then served in the Japanese occupation force or J Force.
After the war Mr Tipa worked as a boilermaker in Otago before retiring to Timaru about 20 years ago.
He is survived by his five children.
Lieutenant Preece says he has asked the other surviving D Company member, Henry Norton, to speak on his behalf at this afternoon’s service.
There are now only 20 surviving veterans of the 3600 men who served in the Battalion.
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