John Bremner
Born 13 Oct 1921 - Died 30 May 2018
- Service number
- WWII 270173 AWMM
- Also known as
- Jack AWMM
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Last rank
- WW2 Major/Military AWMM 2nd N.Z. Divisional Cavalry Regiment AWMM
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
About
- Title
- —
- Forenames
- John AWMM
- Surname
- Bremner AWMM
- Ingoa
- —
- Also known as
- Jack AWMM
- Service number
- WWII 270173 AWMM
- Gender
- Male AWMM
- Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
- —
- Religion
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Images
Documents
About birth
- Birth
- 13 Oct 1921 AWMM
- Date of birth
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- Place of birth
- —
- Birth notes
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- Address before enlistment
- WW2 Albany, Auckland, New Zealand AWMM
- Post war occupation
- School teacher/Civilian AWMM
- Next of kin
- WW2 Mrs Helen Bremner (wife), Albany, Auckland, New Zealand AWMM
- Relationship status
- Married/WWII AWMM
Wars and conflicts
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
- Campaign
- Italy AWMM
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Service number
- WWII 270173 AWMM
- Military service
- —
- Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers
- —
Military decorations
- Medals and Awards
- Military Medal (MM) AWMM
13 Dec 1945 AWMM
'On 14 April 1945 Sergeant Bremner’s troop held part of the bridgehead over the RIVER SILLARO, Italy. The enemy made two determined counter-attacks against the bridgehead during which he displayed great courage. Without regard for his own safety he kept his troop supplied with ammunition under heavy fire from mortars and artillery. When his troop leader was wounded he took command of the troop and carried out the difficult task of holding his sector of the river-bank for another 36 hours. Throughout this period his example of coolness under fire and cheerfulness under difficult conditions were an inspiration to his men. Again on the night of 18-19 April 1945 in the advance on the River Gaiana he showed his qualities of leadership when his troop successfully cleared a number of pockets of enemy resistance and in particular when he carried out the task of clearing a portion of the stop-bank of the Torreme Quadermo which was strongly held by paratroopers. Throughout the whole operation Sergeant Bremner displayed outstanding qualities of leadership, devotion to duty and personal courage.'. (Source: The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Bremner, John. (Ref. WO 373/14/779). Military Medal. MM. 13th December 1945. Italian theatre. Gazetted 18 October 1945 to 24 January 1946. AWMM - War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
- New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM
- Coronation Medal ER 1953 AWMM
- Military Medal (MM) AWMM
Training and Enlistment
- Military training
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- Branch Trade Proficiency
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- Enlistment
- WW2 Farm hand/Civilian AWMM
- Age on enlistment
- —
- Occupation before enlistment
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Embarkations
- Embarkation details
- WW2 Sergeant AWMM Armoured Brigade AWMM Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force AWMM
Prisoner of war
- Capture details
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- Days interned
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- Liberation date
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- POW liberation details
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- Liberation Repatriation
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- POW serial number
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Medical history
- Medical notes
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Last known rank
- Last rank
- WW2 Major/Military AWMM
2nd N.Z. Divisional Cavalry Regiment AWMM - Last rank
- —
Biographical information
- Member of New Zealand’s official 135-strong Coronation Contingent for the 1953 Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, which sailed to the United Kingdom aboard HMNZS Black Prince, in company with HMAS Sydney as an “Anzac Squadron.” The contingent marched in the coronation procession, mounted guard at Buckingham Palace, and RNZN personnel took part in the Coronation Naval Review at Spithead.
Member of the Mosgiel RSA. AWMM
About death
- Death
- 30 May 2018 AWMM
Age 96 AWMM - Date of death
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- Age at death
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- Place of death
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- Cause of death
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- Death notes
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- Cemetery
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- Cemetery name
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- Grave reference
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- Obituary
- Death Notice: New Zealand Herald, 9 June 2018. AWMM
- Memorial name
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- Memorial reference
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Memorial
- Memorial name
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Sources
- External links
- 'The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.' (London Gazette, 13 December 1945, p.6079.). Military Medal.
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37386/supplements/6079
Further Reference - 'On 14 April 1945 Sergeant Bremner’s troop held part of the bridgehead over the RIVER SILLARO, Italy. The enemy made two determined counter-attacks against the bridgehead during which he displayed great courage. Without regard for his own safety he kept his troop supplied with ammunition under heavy fire from mortars and artillery. When his troop leader was wounded he took command of the troop and carried out the difficult task of holding his sector of the river-bank for another 36 hours. Throughout this period his example of coolness under fire and cheerfulness under difficult conditions were an inspiration to his men. Again on the night of 18-19 April 1945 in the advance on the River Gaiana he showed his qualities of leadership when his troop successfully cleared a number of pockets of enemy resistance and in particular when he carried out the task of clearing a portion of the stop-bank of the Torreme Quadermo which was strongly held by paratroopers. Throughout the whole operation Sergeant Bremner displayed outstanding qualities of leadership, devotion to duty and personal courage.'. (Source: The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Bremner, John. (Ref. WO 373/14/779). Military Medal.
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7356216
Further Reference
- 'The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.' (London Gazette, 13 December 1945, p.6079.). Military Medal.
- References
- Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1945). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 12 (Embarkations from 1st July, 1943 to 31st December, 1943). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
WW2 12: WW2 22 - Auckland Grammar School Chronicle. Auckland, N.Z.: Auckland Grammar School.
Auckland Grammar School "Chronicle" 1953 notes he has MA degree - Loughnan, R. (1963). Divisional Cavalry. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
p.406. - Connolly, A., & Stanes, P. Rememberance: Auckland Grammar School Great War Roll of Honour. Vols 1 & 2. Auckland: Petand Prodctions.
- Loughnan, R. (1963). Divisional Cavalry. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
- Information kindly provided by family
- This record was partially compiled from information provided by the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photographers (NZIPP) Veteran Portrait Project.
- Coronation Medals 1953 - Nominal Roll. Archives New Zealand, Wellington (R21681744)
- Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1945). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 12 (Embarkations from 1st July, 1943 to 31st December, 1943). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
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