Māori honour Tā Bom on Armistice Day

Atereano Mateariki Reuben Epiha | Māori honour Tā Bom on Armistice Day

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As the Western world commemorates Armistice Day, te ao Māori continues to mourn Tā Robert Nairn “Bom” Gillies, the last surviving member of the 28th Māori Battalion.

Armistice Day marks the end of World War I, when the Allies and Germany signed the armistice at Compiègne, France, in 1918.

Waatea Digital Reporter Reuben Epiha, who attended Tā Bom’s tangihanga over the weekend, says the Chief of the Army, Major General Rose King and Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro will be attending the hui today at Tamatekapua Marae in Rotorua.

Epiha says that although Tā Bom and the rest of his battalion brothers are no longer with us in te ao kikokiko, we can still honour their legacy and keep their memories alive.

“So my big kōrero for everyone and my akiaki to everyone is to remember them, to keep talking about them, tell their stories, and they will be heroes forever,” says Epiha.

The rā nehu will take place tomorrow with him being returned to Kauae Cemetery.

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