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Robert Gordon Aro

Identity

  • Title
  • Forenames
    Robert Gordon AWMM
  • Surname
    Aro AWMM
  • Ingoa
  • Also known as
  • Service number
    12103 AWMM
  • Gender
    Male AWMM
  • Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
  • Religion

Civilian life

About birth

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  • Birth
    9 February 1914 AWMM AWMM
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Birth notes
  • Address before enlistment
    Unknown AWMM 69A Hepburn Street, Ponsonby, Auckland, New Zealand AWMM
  • Post war occupation
  • Next of kin on embarkation
    Mrs M.P. Aro (Wife), 69A Hepburn Street, Ponsonby, Auckland, New Zealand AWMM
  • Relationship status
    Pre 21 February 1944 AWMM Married AWMM

Service

Wars and conflicts

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  • War
  • Campaign
  • Armed force / branch
    Army AWMM
  • Service number
    12103 AWMM
  • Military service
  • Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers

Military decorations

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  • Medals and Awards
    • Military Medal (MM) AWMM
      19 March 1942 AWMM
      'On 25 November 1941 Sergeant Aro was left in charge of sixteen vehicles at BIR RAFAA, Libya. Anticipating danger, he kept these vehicles alert and when he was attacked by enemy armoured vehicles at 1400 hours he decided to try and break through the screen of enemy armour. By his leadership and daring he managed to get clear with twelve of his vehicles and returned safely to his Company late the same afternoon. It was solely due to his coolness and daring that these vehicles were saved.'. (Source: The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Aro, Robert Gordon. (Ref. WO 373/19/449). Military Medal. New Zealand Gazette, vol 142, p. 1262 AWMM
    • War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
    • New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM

Training and Enlistment

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  • Military training
  • Branch Trade Proficiency
  • Enlistment
    WW2 Unknown AWMM Fitter and Turner/Civilian AWMM
    AWMM
  • Occupation before enlistment
  • Age on enlistment

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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  • 'Tying in with 4 Brigade's task was 4 RMT. Operating platoons, which on 1 May had changed designation from letters to numbers (A Platoon becoming No. 1 Platoon), carted material for road builders, explosives, rations, working parties, stores, gravel for 9 New Zealand Railway Survey Company, prefabricated huts, ice, and even potatoes and fertiliser by the ton. And, for good measure, a few Bren carriers (3 tons 13 cwt.) as well. One break from this work came with a ceremonial parade at Wavell Barracks, Baalbek, when General Freyberg presented awards won by the NZASC in the Second Libyan Campaign. A less formal parade later ‘of dogs in charge of company personnel’ eliminated all mascots and pets except ‘Acker’ and ‘Ben’, in charge respectively of Driver Barnes, 3 Platoon, and Driver Huggins, 4 Platoon. An unfortunate accident happened at this time when Driver Foster, of 3 Platoon, fell to his death from a top-story window in the Rayak barracks. These included: Captain R. E. Rawle, MC; 2 Lieutenant A. B. Cottrell, MC; Sergeant R. G. Aro, MM; Sergeangt M. K. Gibbs, MM; Sergeant N. J. Prichard, MM; and Driver A. H. Waddick, MM.' (Source: Henderson, J. 4th and 6th Reserve Mechanical Transport Companies. p. 177.) AWMM
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Death

About death

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  • Death
  • 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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  • External links
    • 'The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East.' (London Gazette, 19 March 1942, p.1262.). Military Medal.
      http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35492/supplements/1262
      Further Reference
    • 'On 25 November 1941 Sergeant Aro was left in charge of sixteen vehicles at BIR RAFAA, Libya. Anticipating danger, he kept these vehicles alert and when he was attacked by enemy armoured vehicles at 1400 hours he decided to try and break through the screen of enemy armour. By his leadership and daring he managed to get clear with twelve of his vehicles and returned safely to his Company late the same afternoon. It was solely due to his coolness and daring that these vehicles were saved.'. (Source: The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Aro, Robert Gordon. (Ref. WO 373/19/449). Military Medal.
      http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7358888
      Further Reference
  • References
    • Sutherland, J. (1989). Gallantry awards to New Zealanders in World War Two. Christchurch, N.Z.: Regal Medals. AWMM
    • Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1945). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 13 (Embarkations from 1st January, 1944 to 31st March, 1944). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer. AWMM
      WW2 13: WW2 6 AWMM
    • Henderson, J. (1954). RMT: official history of the 4th and 6th Reserve Mechanical Transport Companies. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs. AWMM
      p.177. AWMM

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