He moved with his wife to Northland in 1984 to enjoy a coastal lifestyle, including fishing.
News of the Rex's plight spread through the internet and a story in the Northern Advocate was picked up by a group running a Facebook NZDF support page.
Ex-navy man Bruce Gordon, an administrator for the page, said he wanted to get Rex a replacement boat and was encouraging followers of the page to donate money.
"I reckon we need about $15,000 to make it worthwhile. We just want to help the poor bugger out." Mr Gordon set up a place to make donations online through the Give a Little site and within 72 hours more than $400 had been donated.
He also approached a marine dealer in Wellsford who said he could supply a boat at cost price.
Mr Gordon said donations had been received from former war veterans in Washington, China, England and Australia.
"The word has spread and the response has been fantastic.
"The bottom line is we are on a mission and we don't like failing and we won't fail.
"We've got Rex's back.
"He is our brother who has been done over and we don't like that.
"We take it personally," Mr Rogers said.
Another former serviceman, Colin Corbett , of Christchurch, has also got behind the cause and said Rex was in his twilight years and the boat had brought him a lot of joy which he was now denied.
"It's also about raising a finger to those who took the boat.
"There are thousands of ex-servicemen who are looking out for each other and we will be getting Rex a new boat."
If you would like to help Rex go to this link http://www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/get_his_boat_back
