'Fine soldier' buried with full honours

Private Boyd Regan Henare Atkins was a typical Kiwi soldier - hard-working, dedicated, conscientious and keen - with an infectious humorous streak, a 2000-strong funeral gathering was told yesterday near Gisborne.

The 19-year-old, who died in East Timor while on leave last week, was farewelled with full military honours at Te Rawheoro Marae, inland from Tolaga Bay on the East Coast.

Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia was among the mourners.

Major Nick Gallard, Private Atkins' company commander in East Timor, described the man known as "Popeye" as a fine soldier who was always happy.

"While in East Timor he taught English to the local children and played soccer with them. The locals loved him - and a memorial in his honour has been built over there," said Major Gallard.

Following his eulogy, Major Gallard placed a United Nations medal for service in East Timor on Private Atkins' coffin.

The emotional 90-minute service was conducted by the Rev Henare Kirikiri, who said hard work was the hallmark of Private Atkins' life.

"He challenged all elements of life."

Described by family as a man of few words but with loads of smiles, Private Atkins was said to have loved life and "achieved more in his short time here than most do in an entire lifetime."

In a letter read out during the service, Prime Minister Helen Clark said his work had helped to maintain peace in war-torn East Timor and to provide a future for its people.

Members of 161 Company in East Timor, with whom Private Atkins served, also wrote a tribute to him, saying he was trusted as lead scout to provide the eyes and ears of his section or platoon.

"Like the locals, Boyd did not place too much weight on material things, and as long as he had food in his stomach and his mates close by he was happy," they said.

"We will miss him dearly, but proudly continue, knowing that he will be watching over us all from above as we continue the good work that he has done."

Private Atkins' coffin was later carried from the marae verandah by six close friends and family members. They then handed the coffin to six Army personnel, who carried it through a guard of honour to the waiting gun carriage, which transported it to the nearby Pututara Cemetery.

As Private Atkins' coffin was lowered into the ground, six military personnel provided a firing party, firing the last volleys for their colleague.

Private Atkins was buried next to his father, Boy Atkins, who died in January 1999.

He was in East Timor with the 3rd Battalion Group and was due home in May.

He drowned while on a four-day pass at the Hera leave centre, 10km east of Dili.

Private Atkins is the fourth soldier to die during New Zealand's peacekeeping efforts in East Timor.

Staff Sergeant Billy White and Warrant Officer Tony Walser were killed in truck accidents, and last July, Private Leonard Manning, aged 24, was killed in a firefight with pro-Indonesian militiamen near the West Timor border, our first soldier slain in fighting since the Vietnam War.

- NZPA

Herald Online feature: Timor mission

UN Transitional Administration in E Timor