To do what McRae has done is not only disrespectful to his father but all those other vets who earned the right to be given that pension. Photo / APN
To do what McRae has done is not only disrespectful to his father but all those other vets who earned the right to be given that pension. Photo / APN
Lest We Forget, three simple words, put together they mean so much to New Zealanders and Australians alike.
Yesterday we told how Lawrence McRae, 67, had stolen his father's war pension. What he did, in my view, was despicable. His father was Colin McRae, a World War II prisoner ofwar and hero of the Battle of Crete, who served in the 14th Platoon of the 22nd Battalion. He was among nearly 2000 New Zealanders captured on the Mediterranean island of Crete when German paratroopers invaded in May 1941.
Mr McRae struggled with his experience as a POW and afterwards spent time in St Mary's Hospital at Hanmer Springs, where he was treated for post-traumatic stress syndrome.
He died in 1992 and the pension was left to his wife Iris McRae, who later died in 1999. Their son continued to receive the payments totalling $89,259.89.
I know from talking to my grandfather, who was in D Company, 28th Maori Battalion, the men and women of his generation didn't think twice about making the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Another WWII vet I've had the pleasure to meet is Arthur Midwood, the last remaining survivor from Te Arawa's B Company, 28th Maori.
He fought in the Battle of Crete, being wounded and spending several days on the run from the Germans. He saw two of his mates killed (on either side of him) when a German grenade exploded near their foxhole. These warriors weren't the type to boast about their exploits, just quietly carrying on with life. I have always been grateful to these men and women for giving us the freedom to live our lives today.
To do what McRae has done is not only disrespectful to his father but all those other vets who earned the right to be given that pension.
