Death of last Māori Battalion veteran

The story so far

Sir Robert Nairn "Bom" Gillies, the final surviving member of the 28th Māori Battalion, died aged 99 in early November 2024.^{7, 9 Nov 2024} He had served in the Battle of Cassino in Italy during 1944.^{7 Nov 2024} Thousands of people gathered at Te Papaiouru Marae in Rotorua to farewell him, and attendees included the Māori Queen and Willie Apiata VC.^{9, 12 Nov 2024} His funeral service acknowledged his Te Arawa and Tūhoe whakapapa, and he was laid to rest in Ōhinemutu.^{12 Nov 2024}

Latest

He has been laid to rest in Ōhinemutu after a farewell at Te Papaiouru Marae that drew thousands of people.^{12 Nov 2024}

Key moments

1. 7 Nov 2024Sir Robert Gillies, last surviving 28th Māori Battalion member, dies aged 99.
2. 9 Nov 2024Thousands arrive at Te Papaiouru Marae for his tangihanga, including the Māori Queen.
3. 12 Nov 2024Funeral acknowledges Te Arawa and Tūhoe whakapapa; he is laid to rest in Ōhinemutu.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.