Visit ends long wait to farewell Private Manning

By KEVIN TAYLOR

RANGIRIRI - Private Leonard Manning's fellow soldiers finally got their chance at the weekend to farewell their mate.

The 24-year-old was shot dead by pro-Indonesia militiamen on July 24 in East Timor, the first Kiwi soldier to die in combat since the Vietnam War.

His death drew international outrage and sparked intensified operations to stamp out the rebel militias.

His mutilated body was flown from East Timor the day he was killed, giving his unit no chance for a proper farewell.

On Saturday, the 80-strong Bravo Company of the Burnham-based 2/1 Battalion, just returned from East Timor, got that chance at a graveside service at Rangiriri in the Waikato with Private Manning's family.

After the service the soldiers performed a haka. Then, one by one, each stood to attention and placed a poppy on his grave.

Lance-Corporal Neilroy McGregor described Private Manning as a "cheeky fella" and good friend.

"It has been a long, drawn-out process but today is the end. We finally got to have our own goodbye - just the boys."

He said everyone had been in shock after Private Manning was killed.

"It took ages to sink in and now it's just the finish of a grieving process - to come back here and say goodbye to him."

Bravo Company's commander, Major Evan Williams, said the trip to Private Manning's grave was vital for the soldiers.

"He sacrificed his life for something he believed in, and that's why we needed to come here."

Private Manning would have been promoted on his return because of his outstanding soldering qualities, Major Williams said.

Private Manning's mother, Linda Manning, said the soldiers had to put him in a casket and send him home immediately, and then carry on their jobs.

"This day is for them. We [the family] have come some distance in the past four months, but I have to say I have had only three days in four months when I have not cried."

The former commander of 2/1 battalion, Colonel Martin Dransfield, said after the service that during September and October, the battalion made special efforts to rid its area of the militias.

"His death had an enormous impact on everything I did in East Timor.

"We swamped the area of operations in such a manner that we knew every square kilometre, and the local people started to help us out enormously."

Herald Online feature: Timor mission

UN Transitional Administration in E Timor