Corporal willie apiata became the first new zealander since the second world war to be awarded the commonwealths highest military award. To get the free app, enter your mobile phone number. The award, announced on july 2, is the first new zealand victoria cross to ever be awarded and the only victoria cross to be awarded to a new zealander since wwii. Fully revised and updated for the pivotal centennial anniversaries of wwi. Willie apiata vc the reluctant hero welcome to regimental. My fellow new zealand readers will probably recognise this figure straight away as corporal willie apiata vc, right down to the stalwart pose and steely gaze from the famous newsphoto. He said he had revealed the name because media outlets viewing the photo in the herald had suspected it was corporal apiata and he knew he would be asked.
First edition, super octavo hardcover fine in dw fine. Corporal apiata s vc is the first awarded to a serving member of the sas anywhere in the commonwealth. Corporal bill henry willie apiata, vc born 28 june 1972 in mangakino, new zealand is a member of the special air service of new zealand and the first recipient of the victoria cross for new zealand. Buy willie apiata vc by paul little at mighty ape nz. Willie applied for the sas in 1996 but was unsuccessful. Corporal willie apiata became the first new zealander since the. Willie apiata vc the reluctant hero by paul little trade me. At 0900 on sunday 01 july my co handed me three letters to read.
These letters informed me that i had been awarded the victoria cross for new zealand v. Bill henry willie apiata, vc born 28 june 1972 is a former corporal in the new zealand. Ordering more than one book will reduce your overall postage costs. One of his mates was bleeding to death and the other was pinned down under intense enemy fire. Willie apiata vc pbk by paul little penguin books australia. Jul 02, 2007 biography corporal bill willy henry apiata vc nzsas. Willie apiata is a true hero not just in my eyes but many others also. The victoria cross for new zealand was established in 1999 when new zealand created a new award system that replaced several commonwealth honours with new zealand awards. A strict wife tale by rebecca lawson, quintons crucible by. Bill willy henry apiata pronounced apeaata was born on. Willie apiata humble kiwi hero tourism new zealand media.
Willie apiata vc a reluctant hero by paul little is a biographymemoir of apiata, the first new zealander since world war two to receive the victoria for new zealanders to bestow the title hero upon someone, he or she must not only perform great. Shortlisted for storylines notable new zealand books. Prime minister john key and corporal willie apiata opens the victoria cross room at the opening of the high wire charitable trust in papakura, auckland. Barbara kendall and bill henry willie apiata vc presents valerie adams with her award for sportswomen of the year at the 2012 westpac halberg awards that were held at the sky city. It traces its origins to the second world war and the famous long range desert group that new zealanders served with. Willie apiata vc pbk by paul little penguin books new. Willie apiata vc a reluctant hero by paul little is a biographymemoir of apiata, the first new zealander since world war two to receive the victoria for new zealanders to bestow the title hero upon someone, he or she must not only perform great deeds but also possess exceptional character. Corporal willie apiata became the first new zealander since the second world. Whilst modern warfare is not my chosen wargaming period, i found this an intriguing miniature. Biography corporal bill willy henry apiata vc nzsas.
Corporal dipprasad pun, from kent, defeated more than 30 taliban fighters singlehandedly and has been awarded the conspicuous gallantry cross. The official ceremony to award the medal took place at government house, wellington. Vc willie apiata quits the military otago daily times. His birth certificate carries the first name bill but he is known as willie. It has been awarded once, on 2 july 2007 to corporal willie apiata for actions in 2004.
Phil goff, corporal willie apiata and george grant look over returned medals. Queen elizabeth presents the 31yearold gurkha with his medal at buckingham palace during an investiture ceremony. Kiwi controversy after sas war hero willie apiata photographed. Lance corporal willie apiata, a new zealand special air service trooper, trapped at the front of a major firefight with suspected taliban insurgents on a dark and desolate afghan hilltop. Willie apiata earned the victoria cross for his courage and selflessness in putting his own life at severe risk to save the life of his comrade, phil goff said. From his early life in small town east coast new zealand to his actions in the deserts of afgha. Willie apiata vc paul little book buy now at mighty ape nz. Bill henry willie apiata, vc is a former corporal in the new zealand special air service, who became the first recipient of the victoria cross for new zealand. Mar 03, 2009 corporal willie apiata became the first new zealander since the second world war to be awarded the commonwealths highest military award for his actions with the nz sas in afghanistan. Corporal apiata was awarded the vc for his actions in afghanistan in 2004 in saving the life of a comrade while under heavy fire from opposing forces. Corporal willie apiata became the first new zealander since the sec. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. Corporal bill henry apiata m181550 citation lance corporal now corporal apiata was, in 2004, part of a new zealand special air service nzsas troop on patrol in. This book will not only establish the place of corporal apiata in new.
They are at least reading copies, complete and in reasonable condition, but usually secondhand. Paul little corporal willie apiata became the first new zealander since the second world war to be awarded the commonwealths highest military award for his actions with the nz sas in afghanistan. Willie apiata vc pbk by paul little 9780143010944 booktopia. Prime minister john key yesterday defended his decision to reveal the identity of sas soldier willie apiata in a photograph taken in kabul this week and published in the herald. The reluctant hero paperback softback paul little its been over 60 years since the last new zealander won a victoria cross so a book on willie apiata is a major publishing event. Willie apiata vc pbk hardback by little, paul corporal willie apiata became the first new zealander since the second world war to be awarded the commonwealths highest military award for his actions with the nz sas in afghanistan. Buy willie apiata vc pbk by paul little 9780143010944 2012 from. I chanced upon the above picture on the empress miniatures website today. The first was from the governor general, the second from the prime minister and the third was from the minister of defence. Willie apiata vc pbk by paul little wheelers books. He was paraded in front of the public and the media here and around the world when he won his victoria cross. Read the official citation for corporal apiatas vc nz herald.
Willie apiata vc pbk by paul little 9780143010944 2012. Victoria cross on 2 july 2007, corporal willie apiata was awarded the victoria cross for his bravery. This book will not only establish the place of corporal apiata in new zealands history but will give an insight into the nature of a man who is truly a reluctant hero. Nov 01, 20 informative, exciting and provocative, acts of valour presents a detailed insight into our military history and the heroes who walked amongst us, right up to corporal willie apiata, the most recent recipient of the vc, in 2007. Corporal willie apiata became the first new zealander since. From july 2000 to april 2001, willie served in east timor as a member of new zealands third battalion. Corporal willie apiata became the first new zealander since the second world war to be awarded the commonwealths highest military award for his actions with the nz sas in afghanistan. May 18, 20 willie apiata is a role model for all new zealanders, young and old especially maori. Corporal willie apiata a true maori hero 18 july 2012. Minister of defence jonathan coleman said apiata had decided to move on to the next phase of his life.
Bill willy henry apiata pronounced apeaata was born on 28 june 1972 in mangakino in the waikato. The story of new zealand war hero willie apiata s extraordinary and inspiring feats, told in his own words. The maori party has responded to the news that willie apiata will be leaving the defence force, by acknowledging his courageous feats. Jul 18, 2012 victoria cross holder willie apiata will leave the defence force, it was revealed this afternoon. Bill willie henry apiata pronounced apeaata was born on 28 june 1972 in mangakino in the waikato. Please sign in buckingham first day covers about us. Corporal apiata vc presents brass artwork to descendants. Its been over 60 years since the last new zealander won a victoria cross so a book on willie apiata is a major publishing event.
But according to john minto, he was no hero compared to sam, adrian and peter. C corporal willie apiata became the first new zealander since the second world war to be awarded the. Although i am proud of his courageous compassion for sacrificing his life for a mate i am also inspired by his commitment not to give up his dream of being a member of the sas when he was first turned down for failing to complete and exercise in the required time. Willie apiata vc by paul little penguin books new zealand. From his early life in small town east coast new zealand to his actions in the deserts of afghanistan, this is his story in his words. Corporal willie apiata has confirmed he will leave the defence force, with the prime minister revealing that the victoria cross holder will take a role at a south auckland trust.
Bravery of ordinary men doing extraordinary deeds colonel willie apiatas heroic rescue of a comrade in afghanistan was one of the reasons that massey university war historian professor glyn harper decided to update his books about new zealanders awarded the victoria cross vc the highest award for bravery in the armed forces. Corporal apiata, a highly decorated member of the new zealand special air service nzsas, has been a soldier for 23 years. Barbara kendall and bill henry willie apiata vc presents valerie adams with her award for sportswomen of the year at the 2012 westpac halberg awards that were held at. The first was from the governor general, the second from the prime minister and the. Bill henry willie apiata, vc born 28 june 1972 is a former corporal in the new zealand special air service, who became the. Corporal willie apiata is a war hero who asked to return to afghanistan. Willie apiata afghan delight and a minto moment lukey. Earlier on, corporal willie apiata interacted with school kids, who arrived to get the opportunity to know more about wwi and why theyre honouring cyril bassett vc. Corporal willie apiata a true maori hero scoop news. New zealands largest retailer of books, stationery, magazines and cards. It traces its origins to the second world war and the famous long range desert group that new zealanders served with the new zealand government states that nzsas is. Tonight, corporal willie apiata vc will present a brass quatrefoil to the descendant of cyril bassett vc, the only new zealander awarded a victoria cross at gallipoli 100 years ago.
Bravery of ordinary men doing extraordinary deeds massey. Feb 03, 2010 corporal willie apiata won his vcthe first by a new zealand soldier since world war ii for rescuing a wounded colleague under fire. Although he has written resource books for teachers, he writes mainly for children. Willie apiata vc paul little book buy now mighty ape nz. Lance corporal willie apiata, a new zealand special air service trooper, was trapped at the front of a major firefight with suspected taliban insurgents on a. Apiata was in a nzsas troop that was attacked by about 20 enemy fighters while laid up for the night. He then again tried to join the sas and succeeded in 2001. Read the official citation for corporal apiatas vc nz. The new zealand special air service, abbreviated as 1 nzsas regt, was formed on 7 july 1955 and is the special forces unit of the new zealand army, closely modelled on the british special air service sas.
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