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Cenotaph record

Robert Gillies

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  • Service number
    WWII 801934 AWMM
  • Also known as
    • Bom Gillies AWMM
    • Bom-Bom AWMM
    • Bon AWMM
  • Armed force / branch
    Army AWMM
  • Last rank
  • War
    World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
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Sir Robert "Bom" Gilles, after his investiture as KNZM, for services to Māori and war commemoration, by the governor-general, Dame Cindy Kiro, at Government House, Wellington, on 4 May 2022. By New Zealand Government, Office of the Governor-General - https://gg.govt.nz/image-galleries/9381/media?page=0, CC BY 4.0

Sir Robert "Bom" Gilles, after his investiture as KNZM, for services to Māori and war commemoration, …

Identity

About

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Civilian life

About birth

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  • Birth
    14 February 1925 AWMM Waimarama, Hawkes Bay AWMM
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Birth notes
  • Address before enlistment
    WW2 Ohinemutu, New Zealand AWMM
  • Post war occupation
  • Next of kin on embarkation
    WW2 Mrs M. McRae (sister), Ohinemutu, New Zealand AWMM
  • Relationship status
    Pre 21 July 1943 AWMM Single AWMM

Service

Wars and conflicts

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  • War
    World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
  • Campaign
  • Armed force / branch
    Army AWMM
  • Service number
    WWII 801934 AWMM
  • Military service
  • Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers

Military decorations

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  • Medals and Awards
    • Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM) AWMM
      2022 AWMM
      To be a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit: GILLIES, Mr Robert Nairn For services to Māori and war commemoration Mr Robert Gillies is the last remaining member of the 28th Māori Battalion and served in B Company during World War 2 from 1942 to 1945, across Africa, Europe and the Middle East, and primarily in Italy. Over more than 20 years, Mr Gillies has represented the men and service of the Battalion at national and international events. In addition to annual dawn and civic Anzac ceremonies, this has included many individual occasions including Ngarimu Scholarship presentations in Wellington and laying the wreath at the ceremony in Italy in 2019 to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Battles of Cassino. He was recognised as a Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 2019. He has been a Trustee of the 28th Māori Battalion B Company History Trust since 2013. He has been an active member of the Te Arawa Returned Services Association, holding several roles. He recently led the 75th anniversary celebration of the return of the B company to Tamatekapua in Rotorua following WW2. He has long been active with his iwi Ngāti Whakaue, and continues to work on the marae, maintain the war memorial, and participate in iwi affairs. Mr Gillies is a member of Waikite Rugby Club and was instrumental early on in establishing the current clubrooms. AWMM
    • War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
    • New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM
    • Order of Merit of the Italian Republic AWMM
      2019 AWMM
    • Africa Star AWMM
    • Italy Star AWMM

Training and Enlistment

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Prisoner of war

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  • Capture details
  • Days interned
  • Liberation date
  • Liberation Repatriation
  • POW liberation details
  • POW serial number

Medical history

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  • Medical notes

Last known rank

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  • Last rank

Biographical information

Biographical information

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  • We honour Sir Robert 'Bom' Gillies, the last surviving member of the 28th Māori Battalion, who has passed away at the age of 99. A revered veteran of B Company during World War II from 1942 to 1945, Bom was known for his humility, accepting a knighthood in 2021 not for himself, but on behalf of all his Māori Battalion comrades.

    Reflecting on his place in history, Sir Robert shared, "As luck would have it I’m the last living member of the 28th Māori Battalion. Along with luck is the spiritual element that is an integral part of the battalion. You are the embodiment of the thousands who went to war to pay the price of citizenship.

    A pillar of Te Arawa, he will be remembered for his courage, service, and enduring commitment to his fellow soldiers.

    Haere rā e te Rangatira o Te Arawa. Te Toa o Tūmatauenga – Te Ope Taua Māori Te Rua Tekau mā Waru. "At the going down of the Sun – and in the morning - we will remember you." AWMM
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Death

About death

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  • Death
    7 November 2024 AWMM
    Rotorua, Bay of Plenty AWMM
  • Date of death
  • Age at death
  • Place of death
  • Cause of death
  • Death notes
  • Cemetery
  • Cemetery name
  • Grave reference
  • Obituary
  • Memorial name
  • Memorial reference

Memorials

Memorial

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  • Memorial name

Roll of Honour

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Sources

Sources

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Contributors

Command item
Command item
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DateFirst namesLocationRelationshipContact
07 July 2022Lorraine MonaGisborneResearcher

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