Helen Clark lays a wreath in London. Photo / NZ Defence Force
Prime Minister Helen Clark has attended a service in the United Kingdom to mark the refurbishment of the grave of one New Zealand's greatest war heroes - Lord Bernard Freyberg.
Lord Freyberg was born in London but moved to Wellington when he was just two-years-old.
He served in
both World Wars receiving the Victoria Cross and numerous awards.
He was New Zealand's Governor-General from 1946-1952 and died at Windsor in 1963 after the rupture of one of his Gallipoli wounds.
Miss Clark said Lord Freyberg's life should not be forgotten.
"It is an incredible story. He was one of the most decorated ever servicemen in the Commonwealth. He was a hero at Gallipoli, a hero in the Somme and fought in Passchendaele as well," Miss Clark said.
He had also led New Zealand forces in World War 2 through Greece, Crete, North Africa and Italy and then became Governor-General after the war.
"It is a remarkable record... It would be a sad thing if one of the graves of New Zealand's most distinguished war heroes were left in disrepair and it is a pity we hear so little about lives like his today."
Christchurch World War 2 veteran Earle Crutchley made it his personal mission to have the graves of Lord and Lady Freyberg restored after seeing their ruined state in 2004. Both graves have now been repaired and a plaque to honour Lord Freyberg has been put in the church near Munstead in Surrey.
Mr Crutchley had seen the graves were in "a sad state" and had written to Miss Clark asking for something to be done.
"We agreed and have had these graves beautifully restored."
The ceremony today had included the current Lord Freyberg and his family.
Miss Clark said most families in New Zealand had been affected by events that Lord Freyberg had been involved in, such as the mass mobilisation of forces to fight in World War 2.
"Freyberg's life has meaning to all those who were there and their stories have been handed down over generations."
Miss Clark also put a wreath on Lady Freyberg's grave to honour her welfare work done with New Zealand soldiers during World War 2.
- NZPA
