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Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Statue to honour local war hero
An Oamaru war hero killed at the Battle of the Somme may finally take pride and place in his hometown. The New Zealand Remembrance Army (NZRA) plan to honour Victoria Cross recipient, Sergeant Donald Forrester Brown with a life-size bronze statue. Sgt Brown was the first VC recipient for heroism on the Western Front, and the only man from North Otago to be honoured out of 23 New Zealand VC medal winners. New Zealand Remembrance Army member Barry Gamble, who initiated the project, said the plan to build a statute of Sgt Brown was to pay tribute to a local and national hero. "It's all about recognition, honouring this man, who is a true blue Kiwi farmer, who spent most of his short life working the land and then bravely fought for his country." On the opening day of New Zealand's Somme campaign in France, on September 15, 1916, Brown charged and captured key enemy machine-gun positions, helping New Zealand forces to push through German lines. During another attack two weeks later, on the Somme front, Brown told his men to take cover and took two trenches on by himself, chasing the enemy down before he was killed by machine-gun fire at the age of 26, Mr Gamble said. The 1916 Somme offensive was one of the largest and bloodiest battles of the First World War (1914-18). The posthumous VC award for gallantry was presented to his father, Robert Brown in Oamaru by the Governor-General, Lord Liverpool in 1917. Mr Gamble said the statue would provide educational, cultural and commemorative value to the Oamaru community and visitors and preserve Sgt Brown's legacy for generations to come. "All the other towns have honoured their Victoria Cross winners with statues and paintings, why not Oamaru ... it's something that we can be really proud of." A former student of Waitaki Boys' High School and a Totara farmer, Sgt Brown was born in 1890 in Dunedin and moved to Oamaru with his family in the mid 1890s, where his father set up a successful drapery business and department store which was eventually named the Polytechnic. Making early sacrifices to enlist with the army, Brown sold his farm on Waiareka Rd in Totara, and gave away his dog, and his horse "and away he went", Mr Gamble said. Your Loving Son, Don, a book of letters he wrote home to his father from the war, was published in 1998 by Sgt Brown's niece Eunice P. Brown. In April, 1916 while stationed in Egypt he wrote about the comfort of his fellow soldiers from the Otago Infantry Regiment in the 10th North Otago Company and their plan to return home. "Its just great the number of Oamaru boys one finds here, and one and all are certain, old Oamaru is quite good enough for us in future." Mr Gamble said despite a photo of Sgt Brown in the Waitaki District Council chambers and his name on the honours board at Waitaki Boys' High School he had "largely been forgotten by Oamaru". "It's quite sad because we've got a proud heritage of buildings, and we've got some of the best memorial statues in the country, like the Hall of Memories." Mr Gamble has driven many projects to honour soldiers, including helping to restore the graves of former military personnel in the Waitaki district. He is also the Oamaru RSA local support adviser. The costing for the monument would be about $160,000, he said. Bob Brown, of Rakaia, the great-nephew of the war hero, was thrilled to be involved and donated $10,000 towards the project, Mr Gamble said. "They were really, really stoked that someone was wanting to do this and they're right behind me." Former New Zealand Army artist Matt Gauldie will be commissioned to create the statue. Gauldie produced a miniature paying close attention to details, at $2000 for the purposes of fundraising. "He's very clever ... a lot of work has gone into this to make sure that he's got all the right war equipment on," Mr Gamble said. NZRA put $1500 towards the concept plan and the Waitaki District Council are in support of the project, he said. Mr Gamble said they estimated the project would take a year and a half to complete and he will be seeking donations from the public and organisations. A final site for the public statue is yet to be determined. The Victoria Cross is the highest award in the British decorations system and is awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the British and Commonwealth armed services.
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Statue to honour VC war hero
More than a century after his death at the Battle of the Somme, Oamaru war hero Sergeant Donald Forrester Brown VC is set to be honoured in his hometown with a life-size bronze statue. The New Zealand Remembrance Army (NZRA), led by local advocate Barry Gamble, has announced plans to commemorate Sgt Brown — the first New Zealander awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) for bravery on the Western Front and the only VC recipient from North Otago. The Victoria Cross is the highest award in the British honours system, awarded for gallantry "in the presence of the enemy". "It's all about recognition — honouring this man who is a true blue Kiwi farmer, who spent most of his short life working the land and then bravely fought for his country," Mr Gamble said. Born in Dunedin in 1890 and raised in Oamaru, Mr Brown gave up his farm on Waiareka Rd, along with his horse and dog, to enlist in the First World War. A former student of Waitaki Boys' High School, he was serving with the 10th (North Otago) Company of the Otago Infantry Regiment when he was killed in action at the age of 26. On September 15, 1916 — the opening day of New Zealand's Somme campaign — Brown distinguished himself by capturing key enemy machine-gun positions, helping New Zealand troops break through German lines. Two weeks later, during another assault, he ordered his men to take cover while he single-handedly attacked two enemy trenches chasing the enemy down before he was fatally struck by machine-gun fire. In 1917, his Victoria Cross was presented posthumously to his father, Robert Brown, by Governor-General Lord Liverpool in Oamaru. Mr Gamble believed the statue would serve as a lasting educational and cultural tribute, preserving Mr Brown's legacy for future generations. "Other towns have honoured their Victoria Cross winners with statues and paintings — why not Oamaru? This is something we can be really proud of." Despite his name appearing on the honours board at Waitaki Boys' and a portrait in the Waitaki District Council chambers, Mr Gamble said Sgt Brown had largely faded from the town's collective memory. "It's quite sad. We've got a proud heritage of buildings and some of the best memorial statues in the country. "Yet his story is not well known." The estimated cost of the statue is $160,000. Rakaia man Bob Brown, great-nephew of Sgt Brown, has donated $10,000 towards the project. "They were really stoked that someone was wanting to do this, and they're right behind me." Mr Gamble said he will also be seeking donations from the public and organisations. Renowned New Zealand Army artist Matt Gauldie has been commissioned to create the statue. Mr Gauldie had already produced a detailed miniature maquette for $2000 to aid fundraising efforts. The NZRA contributed $1500 toward the initial concept plan, and the Waitaki District Council has expressed support. Mr Gamble, who has previously led efforts to restore the graves of former soldiers in the Waitaki district, expects the statue to take around 18 months to complete. A final location for the monument has yet to be determined. A book of letters Sgt Brown wrote to his father during the war was published in 1998 entitled Your Loving Son, Don , edited by his neice, Eunice P. Brown. In a letter from Egypt in 1916, he wrote of the camaraderie among Oamaru soldiers: "it's just great the number of Oamaru boys one finds here, and one and all are certain, old Oamaru is quite good enough for us in future".
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Selly Oak action man MP waves Birmingham flag on top of Everest in record breaking feat
Selly Oak's action man MP Al Carns has successfully completed his record breaking mission to get up and down Everest inside a week - and proudly waved a Birmingham flag on the summit. Carns, speaking from Kathmandu Airport this morning, Thursday, May 22, waiting for the flight home that will take him into the record books, said he was 'incredibly proud' and 'feeling amazing' after the epic adventure. "It was really tough - we walked pretty much non-stop for 55 hours, all uphill, to get to the top, but we did it." READ MORE: Selly Oak's action man MP in record breaking bid to climb Everest in seven days Carns said the eerie 'moonscape' that unfolded as the team neared the top of the peak was tragically 'littered' with the bodies of those who had tried but failed to reach the top or collapsed on the descent. "It really brought it home, this was the death zone, where there is no room for error or accident," he said. At one point there was talk from their Sherpas of possible retreat because of the intense 70mph winds lashing them above Camp 4, at temperatures of -35 to -40, during their summit bid. "We said 'no way', and they agreed to continue for an hour - the clouds then parted and the winds subsided and we were able to make it to the top," he said. The veterans minister, elected as Selly Oak's Labour MP in 2024 after being 'parachuted in' to the seat following the retirement of Steve McCabe, said he had proudly waved the Birmingham flag from the summit. Carns was joined on the mission by former forces comrades Kevin Godlington, 49, Garth Miller, 51, and ThruDark clothing founder Anthony Stazicker, 41, wth their efforts sponsored by the clothing firm and other supporters. Between them, the team have served in every major conflict since 1992 and earned every military gallantry medal except the Victoria Cross, but all of the citations are secret. The team had inhaled xenon gas ahead of their record bid and slept in hypoxic tents at home for weeks so they could pre-acclimatise. The revolutionary tactic worked like a dream, said Carns. "We had no headaches, no altitude sickness, it was incredible. The evidence shows this appears to work." READ MORE: Selly Oak's action man MP in record breaking bid to climb Everest in seven days It normally takes mountaineers up to ten weeks to scale the peak, the world's highest, by walking in to Base Camp and then awaiting a rare weather window to climb the route in stages, so the body can acclimatise to the deadly thin air. But Carns and the team were up and down in three days. The evidence collected on their trip will be used to assess whether xenon gas can help Nepali and other high-altitude communities, and assist on other missions and expeditions in future. Carns also hopes to help raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for veterans' charities and to also highlight the valour and experiences of ex-forces people. You can donate to the appeal here. The team were waiting on a flight from Kathmandu airport to London, and expected to achieve their goal of getting from London to Everest and back inside seven days - an incredible feat. Enjoying a restorative pizza and beer, the jubilant team said they were thrilled to have executed their mission in style.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
D-Day diorama to go on display at North Yorkshire regimental museum
An 'incredibly detailed' D-Day diorama will be on display at a North Yorkshire regimental museum. The Green Howards Museum in Richmond will showcase the model, which marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day, from May 29. The diorama was created by 15-year-old Ted Hemsworth, the youngest member of the North Riding Scale Model Club. The model commemorates the role of the 6th and 7th Battalion, Green Howards on June 7, 1944 - the day after D-Day. The model commemorates the role of the 6th and 7th Battalions of the Green Howards on the day after D-Day (Image: Green Howards Museum) The scene features a model of CSM Stanley Hollis VC, the only soldier awarded the Victoria Cross on D-Day. Ted's model was recently exhibited at the National Scale Model Show in Telford, where he was named Junior National Champion by the International Plastic Modellers' Society (IPMS). Ted began building Warhammer models at the age of 11 and founded a Warhammer club at his school, Stokesley School, in Year 8. His interest in historical military models led him to recreate scenes from different periods, and he is currently working on British Infantry soldiers from the Napoleonic Wars (1799–1815). His D-Day diorama is constructed using a mix of materials. The soldiers are hand-painted with precision (Image: Green Howards Museum) The base is layered cardboard, shaped and built up to create terrain. Soldiers are hand-painted with precision, right down to CSM Hollis's rank stripes. Landscape elements are created from matchsticks, foam, and even cotton wool to simulate explosions. The North Riding Scale Model Club meets fortnightly and welcomes all ages and abilities, with members working across genres from fantasy to historical subjects. The group offers support, advice, and a community for anyone interested in the hobby. The Green Howards Museum pays tribute to over 300 years of Green Howards regimental history. The regiment was raised in 1688 and amalgamated with The Yorkshire Regiment in 2006. The museum is 50 years old and is located in the old Trinity Church in Richmond's Market Place. Its archives contain more than 35,000 artefacts and there are more than 4,500 medals on display in the Medal Room (including 18 Victoria Crosses and George Crosses), as well as the regimental silver and Richmond Town Hall silver. The Green Howards have seen action in almost every country in the world. Their bravery is renowned and this new exhibition pays homage to the 2,000 Green Howards who served in Normandy on D-Day, having arrived both by sea and by air. At the heart of the Green Howards Museum's mission is its specialist research service centred on the discovery, recording and preservation of artefacts, stories and memories for future generations. The museum is a charitable trust committed to conserving 300 years of Green Howards military history and providing a continuing, accessible narrative of its prestigious past. Based locally in Richmond Castle and then in the barracks on Barrack Hill (now The Garden Village), the Green Howards served in every major conflict around the world, including the Crimean War, World Wars I and II, and more recently, the Gulf War. The museum's regular exhibitions and events commemorate not only the history of the Green Howards but also reinforce the unique heritage link between the regiment and Richmond's local community.
Free Malaysia Today
20-05-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Decorated Australian soldier loses war crimes defamation appeal
Perth-born Ben Roberts-Smith had been Australia's most famous and distinguished living soldier. (AP pic) SYDNEY : One of Australia's most decorated soldiers lost a legal bid today to overturn bombshell court findings that implicated him in war crimes while serving in Afghanistan. Former SAS commando Ben Roberts-Smith has been fighting to repair his tattered reputation since 2018, when newspapers unearthed allegations he took part in the murder of unarmed Afghan prisoners. His multi-million dollar bid to sue three Australian newspapers for defamation failed in 2023, with a judge ruling the bulk of the journalists' claims were 'substantially true'. The 46-year-old suffered another setback today, when Australia's federal court dismissed his appeal. Justice Nye Perram withheld the reasons for the decision, saying there were national security implications the government must consider before they are released. A published summary said there was sufficient evidence to support findings that Roberts-Smith had 'murdered four Afghan men'. Roberts-Smith argued in his appeal that the judge 'erred' in the way he assessed some of the evidence. Perth-born Roberts-Smith had been Australia's most famous and distinguished living soldier. He won the Victoria Cross – Australia's highest military honour – for 'conspicuous gallantry' in Afghanistan while on the hunt for a senior Taliban commander. The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Canberra Times shredded this reputation with a series of reports in 2018. The papers reported Roberts-Smith had kicked an unarmed Afghan civilian off a cliff and ordered subordinates to shoot him. He was also said to have taken part in the machine-gunning of a man with a prosthetic leg, which was later brought back to an army bar and used as a drinking vessel. The 2023 court ruling ultimately implicated Roberts-Smith in the murder of four unarmed Afghan prisoners. Civil court matters such as defamation have a lower standard of proof than criminal trials. Roberts-Smith has not faced criminal charges. Australia deployed 39,000 troops to Afghanistan over two decades as part of US and Nato-led operations against the Taliban and other rebel groups. A 2020 military investigation found special forces personnel 'unlawfully killed' 39 Afghan civilians and prisoners, revealing allegations of summary executions, body count competitions and torture by Australian forces.
