A journey to reunite brothers
Reuniting two long lost brothers, separated by war, is the goal of Canterbury man Jono Taylor.
On August 14, 1939, Jono's grandfather Stewart Taylor and his great-uncle Esmond Theodore Taylor enlisted in the New Zealand Army just prior to the start of WW2 - one as a medical officer, the other as a rifleman.
They farewelled each other at the Christchurch Railway Station with Stewart bound for Trentham and Esmond to Burnham for his basic training.
For these two men the war had very different outcomes.
Stewart came home, Esmond did not.
In February this year, Jono departed on a motorbike to take a portion of his grandfather's ashes to Crete to bury in the earth on Esmond's grave at Suda Bay War Cemetery, 85 years after the brothers said their final goodbye.
Esmond had enlisted in the 23rd Battalion, also known as the Canterbury-Otago Battalion, serving in an infantry battalion as part of the 2nd NZ Expeditionary Force (2NZEF).
They were originally sent to England to help the British as they prepared for the German Invasion, which never came.
One day while walking around London sightseeing, Esmond got hopelessly lost, but fortunately met his future wife, a local lass named Rose Harding.
He asked her for directions and she decided it would be easier to show him how to get to the local station by walking him there.
She said it was love at first sight and he proposed within 48 hours of meeting her.
They were quickly married, but sadly his battalion was posted back to Egypt.
Esmond took part in the failed Greek campaign before being evacuated to Crete.
He died there on May 22, 1941, near Maleme, of injuries sustained during the 23rd Battalion's valiant defence of the airfield against German Army Fallschirmjager (parachutists). He is buried at the Suda Bay War Cemetery.
Meanwhile Stewart Taylor, serving as a medical officer aboard the newly converted Hospital Ship HS Maunganui, had only just arrived in the Suez on May 22, 1941, to carry casualties from the Greece and Crete campaigns back to New Zealand.
Sadly he saw his brother's name appear as 'missing' on the daily casualty lists .
He hoped he was just unaccounted for in the fog of war, but two days later, Esmond's status was upgraded to ''killed in action''.
Jono's part in this tragic story of separation begins in 2008.
He is a dog handler for MPI at Christchurch Airport. By 2008, his granddad Stewart Taylor's health was failing.
'I made the trip to Crete to find Esmond's grave and cried for a man I had never met.
''I took a scoop of earth from his grave, had it treated at the airport when I got back, then placed in Stewart's coffin when he passed at the end of 2008.
''My granddad was cremated and unbeknown to me, I was allocated a portion of his ashes as he wished they would be put in the earth on Esmond's grave to close out the separation from when they had last seen each other in 1939.''
He is riding cross-country aboard a Honda CT125 motorcycle. After shipping the bike from Christchurch to Melbourne he rode to Perth through the outback of Australia.
''In the spirit of the Anzacs, Qantas came onboard, airfreighting it from Perth to Jakarta, Indonesia, for me.'
He then rode through Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand before again airfreighting the bike from Bangkok to Kathmandu in Nepal three weeks ago.
His plan is to ride through India, Pakistan, Iran and Turkey, to Crete in Greece.
Jono says riding the Honda CT125 is not new as he has previously taken trips through the Australian outback on the smaller Honda CT110, and even ridden up to Mt Everest on the Chinese side.
''It's a slow ride but you get to enjoy the countryside you are passing through.''
Staff at Canterbury Honda in Woodend helped Jono prepare his small farm bike for its long arduous journey, helping out with spare parts and accessories.
''It's not a fast bike but if he keeps the maintenance up on the small 125 cu cm engine, it should continue to power him right through the journey.
''We are hosting his messages and photos on our Facebook site so friends and family can follow his amazing journey,'' says Kevin Wells, a salesman at Canterbury Honda.
Jono says the trip is going well despite a few punctures,
''The riding is actually the easy part, getting visas and permits is the hard part, especially heading into India, Pakistan, and Iran.
''The people I have met along the way have been warm, and welcoming. He says he has plenty of stories to tell friends and family when he returns including how his helmet was run over by the Victorian police, to transporting the bike on a Banana boat across the Malacca Strait from Northern Sumatra to Port Klang, Malaysia.''
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
13 hours ago
- Scoop
1st NZSAS Regiment Marks 70th Anniversary
Press Release – New Zealand Defence Force From its humble beginnings the NZSAS has since grown to become a full Regiment that gives the Government of the day a range of high-readiness, highly effective military options to advance and protect its interests. For 70 years the New Zealand Special Air Service (NZSAS) has been deployed on some of the most complex, challenging and dangerous missions faced by the New Zealand Defence Force, with the ultimate goal always being to protect New Zealand, its people and interests. The NZSAS was raised as a response to a strategic dilemma in the 1950s, when the New Zealand Government wanted to support the British in defending Malaya against the threat of communist expansion, whilst recognizing our comparatively small Defence Force and resources. As a result, a single NZSAS Squadron was raised and deployed to give New Zealand a credible impact across both military and political circles. From its humble beginnings the NZSAS has since grown to become a full Regiment that gives the Government of the day a range of high-readiness, highly effective military options to advance and protect its interests. Chief of Army Major General Rose King says NZSAS operators have played a pivotal role in a number of significant engagements over the course of the unit's existence. 'Our Special Forces personnel are among the best in the world at what they do. They deploy into places that others can't, they can achieve things that larger conventional units simply couldn't. Their sense of service over self is second to none, and their will to succeed and achieve their mission is extraordinary,' Major General Rose King said. Throughout its history, members of the NZSAS have been deployed throughout South East Asia and the Pacific, from Malaya to Timor Leste, Thailand to Papua New Guinea. The Unit has also contributed to global peace keeping and peace monitoring missions, with NZSAS operators later being heavily involved in the Middle East, including reconnaissance operations and partnering with Special Police Forces in Afghanistan. The Afghanistan campaign was bookended with a NZSAS team leading the ground evacuation of nearly 400 people to safety following the Taliban's return to power in 2021. The Commanding Officer of 1st New Zealand Special Air Service Regiment says the Regiment can only succeed with the support and sustainment of a world-class army and Defence Force. 'From the jungles of South East Asia and the Pacific, to the deserts, mountains and alleyways of the middle east and beyond, New Zealand's Special Air Service Regiment has always stood ready for New Zealand, and always will be,' the Commanding Officer said. 'For 70 years SAS, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Commando, and Special Operations enablers have delivered whenever Government has asked, and whenever the Chief of Defence Force has tasked. From its early focus on special reconnaissance and deep infiltration in the jungle, the Regiment has developed counter-terrorism, direct action and special recovery capabilities in recent decades. Commando and EOD trades have been established in order to support Police and other agencies when responding to new threats at home, with further advances across intelligence, communications, logistics, female engagement and medical specialties to provide special forces commanders with the broadest range of options and support. 'Whenever they're called upon, whatever the task, our NZSAS members are always ready to deploy at immediate notice in order to uphold the values we hold so important in New Zealand. They are a huge credit to not only Ngāti Tūmatauenga, the New Zealand Army and the wider Defence Force, but should be a source of pride for the country as a whole,' Major General King said. The Regiment's Commanding Officer says this weekend is a special occasion to reflect on what has been a significant legacy by those who went before and will be marked with a series of events for both current and former members. It included the unveiling of new pou at Papakura Military Camp's memorial area earlier this week. 'The memorial area is where the Regiment records its whakapapa. It's where we thank those who have gone before and remember those who have paid the ultimate price. It is the spiritual hub of our camp and so these new pou carry a huge significance for us,' the Commanding Officer said. 'We will reflect not just on the operational successes, but also the vigilance and dedication it takes to train and prepare at home, to maintain standards, to develop new tactics, and to 'hold the pager' for crisis response.' Major General King said a lot has changed within the Regiment over the course of its seven decades, including evolved training methods, adapting to the changing nature of warfare, the physical locations of its home base and the hundreds of personnel and staff who have supported, enabled and maintained the Regiment over the decades. 'But many things have not, and will not change; the operational experience, professionalism and the unrelenting pursuit of excellence that embodies every member of New Zealand's Special Forces.'
Scoop
13 hours ago
- Scoop
1st NZSAS Regiment Marks 70th Anniversary
For 70 years the New Zealand Special Air Service (NZSAS) has been deployed on some of the most complex, challenging and dangerous missions faced by the New Zealand Defence Force, with the ultimate goal always being to protect New Zealand, its people and interests. The NZSAS was raised as a response to a strategic dilemma in the 1950s, when the New Zealand Government wanted to support the British in defending Malaya against the threat of communist expansion, whilst recognizing our comparatively small Defence Force and resources. As a result, a single NZSAS Squadron was raised and deployed to give New Zealand a credible impact across both military and political circles. From its humble beginnings the NZSAS has since grown to become a full Regiment that gives the Government of the day a range of high-readiness, highly effective military options to advance and protect its interests. Chief of Army Major General Rose King says NZSAS operators have played a pivotal role in a number of significant engagements over the course of the unit's existence. 'Our Special Forces personnel are among the best in the world at what they do. They deploy into places that others can't, they can achieve things that larger conventional units simply couldn't. Their sense of service over self is second to none, and their will to succeed and achieve their mission is extraordinary,' Major General Rose King said. Throughout its history, members of the NZSAS have been deployed throughout South East Asia and the Pacific, from Malaya to Timor Leste, Thailand to Papua New Guinea. The Unit has also contributed to global peace keeping and peace monitoring missions, with NZSAS operators later being heavily involved in the Middle East, including reconnaissance operations and partnering with Special Police Forces in Afghanistan. The Afghanistan campaign was bookended with a NZSAS team leading the ground evacuation of nearly 400 people to safety following the Taliban's return to power in 2021. The Commanding Officer of 1st New Zealand Special Air Service Regiment says the Regiment can only succeed with the support and sustainment of a world-class army and Defence Force. 'From the jungles of South East Asia and the Pacific, to the deserts, mountains and alleyways of the middle east and beyond, New Zealand's Special Air Service Regiment has always stood ready for New Zealand, and always will be,' the Commanding Officer said. 'For 70 years SAS, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Commando, and Special Operations enablers have delivered whenever Government has asked, and whenever the Chief of Defence Force has tasked. From its early focus on special reconnaissance and deep infiltration in the jungle, the Regiment has developed counter-terrorism, direct action and special recovery capabilities in recent decades. Commando and EOD trades have been established in order to support Police and other agencies when responding to new threats at home, with further advances across intelligence, communications, logistics, female engagement and medical specialties to provide special forces commanders with the broadest range of options and support. 'Whenever they're called upon, whatever the task, our NZSAS members are always ready to deploy at immediate notice in order to uphold the values we hold so important in New Zealand. They are a huge credit to not only Ngāti Tūmatauenga, the New Zealand Army and the wider Defence Force, but should be a source of pride for the country as a whole,' Major General King said. The Regiment's Commanding Officer says this weekend is a special occasion to reflect on what has been a significant legacy by those who went before and will be marked with a series of events for both current and former members. It included the unveiling of new pou at Papakura Military Camp's memorial area earlier this week. 'The memorial area is where the Regiment records its whakapapa. It's where we thank those who have gone before and remember those who have paid the ultimate price. It is the spiritual hub of our camp and so these new pou carry a huge significance for us,' the Commanding Officer said. 'We will reflect not just on the operational successes, but also the vigilance and dedication it takes to train and prepare at home, to maintain standards, to develop new tactics, and to 'hold the pager' for crisis response.' Major General King said a lot has changed within the Regiment over the course of its seven decades, including evolved training methods, adapting to the changing nature of warfare, the physical locations of its home base and the hundreds of personnel and staff who have supported, enabled and maintained the Regiment over the decades. 'But many things have not, and will not change; the operational experience, professionalism and the unrelenting pursuit of excellence that embodies every member of New Zealand's Special Forces.'
RNZ News
2 days ago
- RNZ News
Cook Strait ferries cancelled as 6m swells forecast, snow descends on South Island
Lakes Camp and Clearwater near Ashburton were blanketed with snow on Friday morning. Photo: Ashburton District Council An updated forecast from MetService has pushed back the expected start time for snowfall to sweep the South Island on Friday. The fresh surge of winter weather was expected to descend on the South Island on Friday , bringing snow, sub-zero temperatures and the risk of travel disruption. Central Otago had now been downgraded from an earlier heavy snow warning to a heavy snow watch starting at 2pm. But inland Canterbury south of the Rakaia River remained under a warning, with heavy snow possible above 400 metres from 2pm. Heavy snow watches were also in place on Friday afternoon for southern Marlborough, Queenstown Lakes District, and the rest of inland Canterbury. A strong wind watch was in effect for Westland District from 6pm. Snow flurries had already been recorded earlier on Friday in the Mackenzie Country and Queenstown. Lakes Camp and Clearwater looked stunning after heavy snowfall. Photo: Ashburton District Council Ashburton District Council said late Friday afternoon the Gorge Road was now closed at Mount Somers township because of snow. "If you're planning to travel this weekend, please pay attention to the weather forecast and drive to the conditions." Meanwhile, Cook Strait ferries were being cancelled this weekend due to forecast 6m swells. Interislander had canned all passenger sailings for Saturday due to the conditions. "All passengers are being moved to alternative sailings," it said on its website. Cook Strait ferries are being cancelled this weekend due to forecast swells. Photo: Supplied Bluebridge had also cancelled all Saturday sailings, and one in the early hours of Sunday morning. "We are monitoring the situation closely, and if further sailings are impacted, we will notify you via text and email at the earliest opportunity," the operator told customers. The MetService said waves could reach swells of 6m on Saturday, with a warning lasting to Sunday morning. Wellington Region Emergency Management said the 6m swells could bring flooding and debris onto roads around high tide. An orange swell warning was in place on Wellington's south coast through to coastal Wairarapa. It said drivers and walkers on coastal roads, as well as surfers, divers and fishers, should take extra care. More to come. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
