Illustrated with maps and neverbeforeseen photographs, this book provides a rare and fascinating insight into the clandestine world of the nzsas. While to most of us his actions seemed extraordinary and heroic, corporal apiata felt he was an ordinary kiwi just doing his job. C corporal willie apiata became the first new zealander since the second world war to be awarded the. Corporal willie apiata became the first new zealander since the second world. He is best known for receiving the victoria cross because of his actions in the war in afghanistan. 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 then carried him across the seventy metres of broken, rocky and fire.
Corporal bill henry willie apiata, age 40, is a highly celebrated new zealand hero. 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. Please sign in buckingham first day covers about us. New zealands largest retailer of books, stationery, magazines and cards. Corporal willie apiata a true maori hero scoop news. Bill henry willie apiata, vc born 28 june 1972 is a former corporal in the new zealand. He is a recipient of the victorias cross of new zealand, and also a member of the special air service of new zealand. May 18, 20 willie apiata is a role model for all new zealanders, young and old especially maori. The maori party has tonight praised the incredible generosity of corporal willie apiata in. 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. Ordering more than one book will reduce your overall postage costs.
His parents separated when he was very young, and he has not had contact with his father for several years. His early childhood was spent at waima in northland before the family moved to te kaha when he was. 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. Willie apiata vc pbk by paul little penguin books new zealand. Willie apiata vc paul little book buy now at mighty ape nz.
Sep 22, 2015 remembering those who fought in wwi two baradene college history students who were involved in the shared histories project, rewa kendall and louise piggin, where honoured to attend the closing ceremony formally closing an exhibition of quatrefoil crosses marking wwi and meet corporal willie apiata, new zealands only living recipient of a victoria cross. His birth certificate carries the first name bill but he is known as. One of his mates was bleeding to death and the other was pinned down under intense enemy fire. Ray seymour director of the army museum and vc recipient corporal willie apiata return stolen medals back to. Corporal apiatas 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. Apiata carried d 70 meters through exposed ground and enemy fire and miraculously neither man was hit. I chanced upon the above picture on the empress miniatures website today. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months new customers receive 15% off your. A former soldier, who risked his life to save a comrade and was named most trusted individual. 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. The maori party has responded to the news that willie apiata will be leaving the defence force, by acknowledging his courageous feats. Corporal willie apiata became the first new zealander since the sec. Shortlisted for storylines notable new zealand books.
At 0900 on sunday 01 july my co handed me three letters to read. Apiata was a soldier in the new zealand special air service nzsas. The story of new zealand war hero willie apiatas extraordinary and inspiring feats, told in his own words. Corporal willy apiata i was doing what i am trained for top. One of his mates was bleeding to death and they were pinned down under intense enemy fire. Buy willie apiata vc by paul little at mighty ape nz. The reluctant hero by paul little 2 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 dark and desolate afghan hilltop. Generous man corporal apiata vc, has donated his vc to the nation through the nz sas trust. 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 afghanistan, which laid up. 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. 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. Shared histories project students meet corporal willie apiata vc. Aug 27, 2012 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.
Corporal willie apiata became the first and only winner of the victory cross for new zealand for his actions during a major firefight with taliban insurgents in afghanistan. A 2004 battle for which corporal willie apiata received a victoria cross, the countrys highest military honour, was a bait and hook operation, a fact suppressed throughout the subsequent. 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 new zealand soldier. Cpl apiata watching the news broadcast of his achievement being announced by prime minister helen clark. Willie apiata vc pbk by paul little 9780143010944 booktopia. 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. This book will not only establish the place of corporal apiata in new. Bill henry apiata online cenotaph auckland war memorial. Willie apiata vc by paul little penguin books new zealand. Jul 18, 2012 phil goff, corporal willie apiata and george grant look over returned medals. The development of the online cenotaph is an ongoing process.
Corporal apiata, the first new zealander to be awarded the victoria cross since the second world war, has now decided to gift his vc and campaign medals to the new zealand special air service trust based in papakura, auckland. Willie apiatas remarkable anzac day gift scoop news. Remembering those who fought in wwi two baradene college history students who were involved in the shared histories project, rewa kendall and louise piggin, where honoured to attend the closing ceremony formally closing an exhibition of quatrefoil crosses marking wwi and meet corporal willie apiata, new zealands only living recipient of a victoria. The reluctant hero by paul little 2 lance corporal willie apiata, a new zealand special air service trooper, was trapped at the front of a major. Corporal bill willy henry apiata vc nzsas bill willy henry apiata was born on 28 june 1972 in mangakino in the waikato. The reluctant hero younger readers by paul little at mighty ape 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. Corporal willie apiata a true maori hero 18 july 2012. Willie apiata vc pbk by paul little penguin books new. Willie apiata is a daring, fearless, responsible, determined, successful,down to earth, trustworthy person. Willie apiata vc the reluctant hero by paul little trade me.
Read the official citation for corporal apiatas vc nz herald. Victoria cross on 2 july 2007, corporal willie apiata was awarded the victoria cross for his bravery. Mar 03, 2009 the story of new zealand war hero willie apiata s extraordinary and inspiring feats, told in his own words. It traces its origins to the second world war and the famous long range desert group that new zealanders served with. While to most of us his actions seemed extraordinary and heroic, corporal apiata felt he. He is the 22nd new zealander to receive the honour since 1856. 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. Although he has written resource books for teachers, he writes mainly for children. Shared histories project students meet corporal willie. Lance corporal apiata stood up and lifted his comrade bodily. In 2004 willie and some others were attacked while sleeping, corporal d was injured, one of his main arterial was bleeding he was also coming in and out of consciousness, so willie picked him up and ran 100.
Willie apiata, also known as the reluctant hero, was awarded the victoria cross on 2nd of july 2007 for his bravery on the battlefield. Corporal willie apiata became the first new zealander since the second world war to be awarded the commonwealths highest military award. Read the official citation for corporal apiatas vc nz. Corporal willie apiata became the first new zealander since the second world war to be awarded the commonwealths highest military award for his. Willie apiata vc pbk by paul little 9780143010944 2012. Willie apiata vc pbk by paul little penguin books australia. Corporal willie apiata became the first new zealander since the. 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. Corporal apiata vc, reluctant hero army rumour service. Cpl apiata places the bar of ribbons including the victoria cross to his uniform. Willie apiata humble kiwi hero tourism new zealand media. Aug 16, 2018 a 2004 battle for which corporal willie apiata received a victoria cross, the countrys highest military honour, was a bait and hook operation, a fact suppressed throughout the subsequent.
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. He also became the 22nd member of new zealand defence forces to win a victoria cross, and the first to receive one since world war ii. 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. The official ceremony to award the medal took place at government house, wellington. He is a recipient of the victorias cross of new zealand, and also a. 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.
Whilst modern warfare is not my chosen wargaming period, i found this an intriguing miniature. 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. It has been awarded once, on 2 july 2007 to corporal willie apiata for actions in 2004. 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. Willie apiata vc the reluctant hero paul john little. Bill henry willie apiata 1972 was born in mangakino, new zealand on 28th june 1972. Brand new please allow 47 working days for delivery this item is shipped from our nz warehouse willie apiata vc. Willie apiata vc paul little book buy now mighty ape nz. Corporal bill henry willie apiata was the first winner of the new victoria cross vc of new zealand, which was instituted in 1999. Bill apiata simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Willie apiata vc the reluctant hero paul john little lockyer. Lt gen jerry mateparae and cpl apiata meet the press at defence house middle. Apr 25, 2008 the maori party has tonight praised the incredible generosity of corporal willie apiata in gifting the prestigious victoria cross medal to the nation.