His birth certificate carries the first name bill but he is known as willie. Bill henry willie apiata, vc was awarded his victoria cross for saving a wounded comrade while under fire in afghanistan, in 2004. Henry nicholas earned his vc during the new zealand attack on polderhoek. Bill henry willie apiata, vc born 28 june 1972 is a former corporal in the new zealand special air service, who became the first recipient of the victoria cross for new zealand. Beatties book blog unofficial homepage of the new zealand book. Marae, the citation itself, the victoria cross, willie apiata and his whakapapa. In total disregard of his own safety, lance corporal apiata stood up and lifted his comrade bodily. Prince william to meet willie apiata at war commemorations in. Jan 09, 2014 bill henry willie apiata right born 28 june 1972 in mangakino, new zealand is a former corporal in the new zealand special air service who became the first recipient of the victoria cross for new zealand. He received the award on 2 july 2007 for bravery under fire during the afghanistan conflict in 2004, after carrying a gravely wounded comrade across a battlefield, under fire, to safety. Programme, ceremony to honour the gallantry of corporal bill. 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. Bill henry willie apiata, vc born 28 june 1972 is a former corporal in the new zealand special air service, who became the. Bill henry apiata online cenotaph auckland war memorial.
Willie apiata humble kiwi hero tourism new zealand media. Search other ministry sites te ara encyclopedia of new zealand. Lieutenant william kerr winning the vc, july 1857lieutenant kerr, 24th bombay native infantry, won the victoria cross for his action in defending himself and others fighting in the stronghold or paga, near the town of kolapore in july 1857, during the indian mutiny 18571859. 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. Mark gregor strang donaldson vc born 2 april 1979 is an australian soldier and a recipient of the victoria cross for australia. Oct 02, 2017 prince william to meet willie apiata at war commemorations in belgium. Bill willie apiata is the first and only recipient to date of the victoria cross vc. He is best known for receiving the victoria cross because of his actions in the war. I suspect that lance corporal willie apiata has succeeded the late sir. Corporal bill henry willie apiata was the first winner of the new victoria cross vc of new zealand, which was instituted in 1999.
Bill henry willie apiata, vc born 28 june 1972 is a former corporal in the new zealand special air service, who became the first recipient of the victoria. Corporal bill willy henry apiata vc nzsas bill willy henry apiata was born on 28 june 1972 in mangakino in the waikato. His father is a maori new zealander and his mother a pakeha new. Prince william given traditional maori greeting in belgium as. See more ideas about street names, street and rowley regis. Nz victoria cross recipients new zealand and the victoria cross. Oct 12, 2017 the duke of cambridge is greeted by former corporal in the new zealand special air service and victoria cross awardee bill henry willie apiata, at the new zealand memorial wall to the missing. Willie apiata, vc, has been named as new zealands most trusted person. He received the award on 2 july 2007 for bravery under fire during the afghanistan conflict in 2004, after carrying a gravely wounded comrade across a. Te kaha marae, te kaha, friday, 10 august 2007 saturday, 11 august 2007 book waka huia visual.
Te kaha ngapuhi willie apiata tamariki tuahine mangakino hoia 28 hune 1972 bill henry willie apiata. Programme, ceremony to honour the gallantry of corporal bill henry apiata. His parents separated when he was very young, and he has not had contact with his father for several years. Bill apiata bill henry willie apiata vc born 28 june 1972 is a new zealand soldier. The 10th annual new zealand readers digest trust survey has just been released with the list dominated by sports stars and emergency service workers.
A look at the life of one of the nations most wellknown figures, war hero and only living new zealander to hold a victorias cross honour, corporal bill henry. This book will not only establish the place of corporal apiata in new zealands history but will give an. Apiata was a soldier in the new zealand special air service nzsas. Click on image or follow this link to see the booklet. Ceremony to honour the gallantry of corporal bill henry apiata vc.
The duke, who represented the queen at the event in belgium. Nov 28, 2016 willie apiata vc, born bill henry apiata born 28 june 1972 in mangakino, new zealand is a corporal in the new zealand special air service and the first recipient of the victoria cross for new zealand. Bill willy henry apiata pronounced apeaata was born on 28 june 1972 in mangakino in the waikato. Other communities published similar booklets, or brochures outlining the countrys war record. This content can be shared and edited for the purpose of promoting new zealand as a visitor destination. Inspirational work from nz sas corporal willie apiata vc. Bill henry willie apiata 1972 was born in mangakino, new zealand on 28th june 1972. A programme outlining activities in christchurch over the three days of peace celebrations, 1921 july 1919. Mar 25, 2019 willie apiata vc has dedicated his postarmy life to honouring the service of others. Please sign in buckingham first day covers about us. He is a recipient of the victorias cross of new zealand, and also a member of the special air service of new zealand. Its what mates do for each other corporal willie apiata, vc corporal bill henry apiata m181550 citation lance corporal later corporal apiata. Corporal bill henry willie apiata, age 40, is a highly celebrated new zealand hero. Bill willie henry apiata pronounced apeaata was born on 28 june 1972 in mangakino in the waikato.
Mr apiata took out the top spot as the most trusted of 100 wellknown kiwis. 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. Bill henry willie apiata vc photos photos lrkieran read, victor vito, dan carter, bill henry willie apiata vc, maa nonu and jerome kaino of new zealand celebrate in the dressign room. The meeting was part of a commemoration for the battle of passchendaele at tyne cot cemetery in flanders, belguim.
Willie apiata vc pbk by paul little penguin books australia. Mar 1, 2017 speed, surprise, and violence of action. His early childhood was spent at waima in northland before the family moved to te kaha when he was. The author of a book that will capture the battle experience of the 28 th maori. His birth certificate carries the first name bill but he is known as. He received the award on 2 july 2007 for bravery under fire during the war in afghanistan in 2004, in which he carried a gravely wounded comrade across a.
Bill henry willie apiata vc born 28 june 1972 is a former corporal in the new zealand special air service, who became the first recipient of the victoria cross for new zealand. Bill henry willie apiata vc born 28 june 1972 is a new zealand soldier. Corporal bill willie henry apiata m181550, 1 new zealand special air. C corporal willie apiata became the first new zealander since the second world war to be.
Oct 12, 2017 prince william is greeted by bill henry willie apiata, a former corporal in the new zealand special air service credit. The development of the online cenotaph is an ongoing process. Fresh from a chat with prince harry at the invictus games in canada, new zealands only living victoria cross recipient. Bill henry willie apiata vc born 28 june 1972 in mangakino, new zealand is a corporal in the new zealand special air service and the first recipient of the victoria cross for new zealand. 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. Bill henry willie apiata vc born 28 june 1972 in mangakino, new zealand is a former corporal in the new zealand special air service who became the first recipient of the victoria cross for new zealand. Bill apiata simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
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