Owen Te Kani BROOKING died 28 December 1973 aged 56yrs - He died in Auckland

My dearest Papa I was only 3yrs old when you left this earth I have 1 distinct memory of you hiding behind the front door whistling and I would try to find you. I am so grateful to know you fought for our freedom for many of us today as part of the 28th Maori Battalion in WW2. I remember you medals from the war mama gave them to my mum and years later after Mama passed she gave them to uncle Andy. I wish I was old enough to understand the importance and meaning of them as I would have taken them for safe keeping. I still have photos of you and Mama (Niria Atawhai Wihongi) I love and miss you. I'm grateful for the many stories mum (Josephine Francis Ngatikaura) shared about you. Thank you so much Papa for your integrity, humility, sacrifice mentally emotionally and physically, dedication, faithfulness toward the war and in life in general Arohanui Papa Your granddaughter Minamoe ( Le