Town abuzz as one of their own recieves Victoria Cross
Monday 2 July 2007, 6:39PM
By Sarah McDougall
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Corporal Apiata Credit:
NZDF
VC winners Credit:
NZDF
A small town in the eastern Bay of Plenty is abuzz today after the announcement one of its own is receiving the highest honour for bravery.
Corporal Bill Apiata is being awarded the Victoria Cross for risking his life to save the life of his superior while both were serving with the SAS in Afghanistan.
Cpl Apiata carried his comrade over 70m of broken ground while under fire from the enemy and also in the face of return fire from his own side.
The Government said today that man would have died from blood loss and shock had Cpl Apiata not done what he did.
His uncle Paul O'Brien said today from Te Kaha where Cpl Apiata grew up, he was "blown away" by the news.
"How wonderful for him. How wonderful for us," he told NZPA.
"We're proud as his community to support him and maybe we'll have a celebration when he returns back to our area."
Cpl Apiata had received military awards previously but this had been a surprise, he said.
"He's achieved to his highest level and we're just rapt for him. He's always tried his hardest since he's been in the military and, as I say, stepped up to the mark when he's required. "
The township had been buzzing with the news, he said.
"We're absolutely rapt. The whole community's enraptured over it...it's a great honour for himself, for his community and for his country."
Cpl Apiata was not likely to make a big deal of it when he came home, Mr O'Brien said.
"That's the sort of guy he is. He's just gone out and done the business when he's had to do it."
He had not heard the details of what Cpl Apiata had done, but to help someone in need was in character, Mr O'Brien said.
"He would do that put his own safety secondary to his comrades. He's always been someone to help his family and the community.
"When he comes home he always gets involved in things that are happening and just got tons of energy to help out when he's needed."
Mary Walker taught Cpl Apiata from about age 13 to 16.
"I can't speak highly enough of him. I mean his life wasn't always straight forward but he was always a good lively person," she told NZPA.
"He's one of those young men...he would always do his best and friendships were very important.
"Certainly I can vouch for him as a gentleman and a very good man."
It was a very important award and community would all be watching the news tonight, she said.
"We're all absolutely delighted but we're also with some surprise, because you know, I guess in military terms everything is under wraps until it happens."
Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae, said Cpl Apiata was a humble man who when praised for his bravery had said: "I was only doing my job, boss."
Prime Minister Helen Clark announced the award today and said three members of Cpl Apiata's unit -- 1NZSAS Group -- were also receiving awards for their gallantry in Afghanistan in 2004.
They have not been named for security reasons. The identities of SAS members are generally kept confidential but Cpl Apiata's name has been released because of the special nature of his award.
Corporal Bill Apiata is being awarded the Victoria Cross for risking his life to save the life of his superior while both were serving with the SAS in Afghanistan.
Cpl Apiata carried his comrade over 70m of broken ground while under fire from the enemy and also in the face of return fire from his own side.
The Government said today that man would have died from blood loss and shock had Cpl Apiata not done what he did.
His uncle Paul O'Brien said today from Te Kaha where Cpl Apiata grew up, he was "blown away" by the news.
"How wonderful for him. How wonderful for us," he told NZPA.
"We're proud as his community to support him and maybe we'll have a celebration when he returns back to our area."
Cpl Apiata had received military awards previously but this had been a surprise, he said.
"He's achieved to his highest level and we're just rapt for him. He's always tried his hardest since he's been in the military and, as I say, stepped up to the mark when he's required. "
The township had been buzzing with the news, he said.
"We're absolutely rapt. The whole community's enraptured over it...it's a great honour for himself, for his community and for his country."
Cpl Apiata was not likely to make a big deal of it when he came home, Mr O'Brien said.
"That's the sort of guy he is. He's just gone out and done the business when he's had to do it."
He had not heard the details of what Cpl Apiata had done, but to help someone in need was in character, Mr O'Brien said.
"He would do that put his own safety secondary to his comrades. He's always been someone to help his family and the community.
"When he comes home he always gets involved in things that are happening and just got tons of energy to help out when he's needed."
Mary Walker taught Cpl Apiata from about age 13 to 16.
"I can't speak highly enough of him. I mean his life wasn't always straight forward but he was always a good lively person," she told NZPA.
"He's one of those young men...he would always do his best and friendships were very important.
"Certainly I can vouch for him as a gentleman and a very good man."
It was a very important award and community would all be watching the news tonight, she said.
"We're all absolutely delighted but we're also with some surprise, because you know, I guess in military terms everything is under wraps until it happens."
Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae, said Cpl Apiata was a humble man who when praised for his bravery had said: "I was only doing my job, boss."
Prime Minister Helen Clark announced the award today and said three members of Cpl Apiata's unit -- 1NZSAS Group -- were also receiving awards for their gallantry in Afghanistan in 2004.
They have not been named for security reasons. The identities of SAS members are generally kept confidential but Cpl Apiata's name has been released because of the special nature of his award.