Colin Ormsby McGruther: Part One, 1918 ~ 1939.

                             Colin McGruther

                                            Written by David Bell



Lieutenant Colin Ormsby McGruther (1918 ~ 1996) 

 

Colin Ormsby McGruther was born on Friday, 22nd of March 1918 at Waerengahika, Gisborne, New Zealand, to John Honi Ruki McGruther and Daisy Mary Te Kurawhakairi (nee Ormsby) McGruther. At the time of his birth, his parents were working at the Waerengahika Native School for boys operated jointly by the Church of England and the government. His father was the schoolmaster while his mother, a qualified nurse, was in charge of the school's medical needs

                               Below: The Waerengahika Native School. 

When he was six his parents were hired by the government Ministry of Island Affairs to work on the Island of Mangaia, the most southerly of the Cook Islands group; his father as the head teacher over the three island schools and his mother as the island nurse. The family arrived at Rarotonga in April 1924. It must have been an exciting adventure for Colin and his siblings, not to mention a fabulous opportunity to travel overseas and experience another land and culture, something not generally   

available to children of that era. 

Above: Mangaia, a slab of rock in the middle of the vast Pacific.
Below: The rocky nature of the coastline, unlike the sweeping white beaches of Rarotonga.
                  

                              
They left Waerengahika and spent some time at Puketotara with Arthur and Matire Ormsby, Colin's grandparents; no doubt enjoying the time with them and all their other relations and friends after four years at Waerengahika. Their departure from the Te Awamutu train station would have been a great occasion with friends and family to see them off. One can only imagine the farewell; the heartfelt goodbyes, the embraces, the tears - Jock and Colin were dear to the hearts of Matire and Arthur.

They travelled by steam locomotive to Wellington which, in itself, must have been thrilling to a six year old boy where they stayed for about a week while John attended meetings with the Ministry, presumably for orientation and training. Then, before they knew it they were aboard a passenger liner and on their way to the tropics. The passenger liner must have been a thing of wonder and excitement to the six year old Colin, his older brother Jock, and his four year old sister Jean; especially as there were many great entertainments for kids. It took one week to reach Rarotonga.

In Rarotonga Colin's father spent his days with the Cooks Resident Agent, one Judge Ayson, who schooled him on his responsibilities on Mangaia. Then, a few days later they boarded a schooner (a small, sturdy, two-masted craft that plied the seas between the many islands in Cooks group), and set off on the ten hour overnight sailing to Mangaia. Of course Colin was too young to have a dairy or journal to write his feelings and impressions of that journey, so we can only imagine what it would have been like for a six year old boy to be ploughing through the ocean on a small schooner with the wind in his face and the rushing water a few feet beneath him.

The arrival at Mangaia would also have been a marvelous adventure for him because there were no jetties or wharves on Mangaia; the reefs and rocks encircling the island making it too difficult and dangerous to sail a schooner into shore. Instead, the schooner would drop anchor beyond the reef and the locals would paddle out on outrigger canoes to offload passengers and goods. The offloading had to be done at high tide when the reef was safely submerged. This entailed a tricky transfer from the schooner to the canoe, especially if the sea was a bit rough or rolling; one would have to carefully time his step over the side of the schooner into the canoe with the rise and fall of the waves. What the sea was like on this occasion is not known but the family transferred safely and were ferried to shore, and it was a great ride. Jean, Colin's sister remembered well the many times she and the boys went out with the canoes to meet the schooners. She said it was always a thrill as the Magaian boatmen manoeuvred the canoe to catch the wave as it rose over the submerged reef, then paddled like crazy and tobogganed down the watery slope at what seemed like breakneck speed. 

The welcome ashore was a big one; the people having been notified of their arrival. The arrival of guests and visitors was always an occasion for celebration; particularly important ones. Their new schoolmaster accompanied by his whole family and the Cook Islands Resident Agent and entourage, were important guests. They received the full treatment; the traditional welcome cries, songs, gifts, speeches and a feast. To Colin it must have felt as though every day to this point brought a new adventure; and it didn't stop there, Mangaia was a young boy's paradise.

                 Above: Colin (back), Jock, and Jean playing in a small canoe. 


It would be fair to say that his years on Mangaia at that early age must have had a profound effect on him. He, Jock and Jean thoroughly immersed themselves in the local life, adapting and making friends with the native children and their new environment so swiftly and effectively that it wasn't long before they were speaking the language (which was virtually the same as Maori) and living like a local. 

Colin, by nature, was an adventurous boy, so life on a beautiful Pacific island suited him to the core. It was a place of endless summers and barefoot freedom. He and Jock took to the tropical water like ducks and loved paddling around the rocks and lagoons in the small dugout canoes that lay about on the white beaches. Fishing and swimming were major pass times, but hunting coconut crabs in the forest was probably the most exciting. Coconut crabs were crabs that had come out of the ocean and adapted to live their lives on land - although they still went back to the water to lay their eggs. They were ugly creatures that could weigh several pounds. They had a tough exoskeleton and looked like a combination of crab, lobster and spider. Their sole diet was coconut meat so they had evolved the ability to climb coconut trees to get at the fresh coconuts hanging there. You had to be careful not to meet one if you were up a coconut tree because they possessed two powerful claws to tear the husk from the nut then crack it open to get at the white flesh inside. If you got your finger caught in one of those massive pincers you would lose it. The locals taught Colin how to hunt and catch them and safely secure their dangerous pincers with a string. Coconut crab were delicious baked, tasting like crab seasoned with coconut.
                                    

                                        Coconut crabs showing their colossal pincers

 Colin's parent's were contracted for three years, after which they could either terminate their employment on Mangaia or sign up for another three years. They chose to continue. When the first three years were up they were entitled to a three month furlough back to New Zealand. They took it in 1927 and during that time it was decided that Colin and Jock attend the prestigious Kings College as full-time boarders. Their parents had decided that it was necessary they receive a good education. The boys life in a tropical paradise was over. Only little Jean got to go back with her parents for another three years.

When parting time finally came it must have been a hard thing for the two boys to watch their parents and little sister leave, but they stoically accepted their lot and immersed themselves in their new lives. 
                                                                                     
                                         Below: Outside the Puketotara homestead in their 
                                         Kings College uniforms.                                        

The boys enjoyed Kings College and acquitted themselves well. Of the two Jock was more studious and serious in nature while Colin was more the 'swashbuckling' type, ever up for a challenge and much more impetuous than his older brother. As a result he excelled in sports and physical activities but languished somewhat in the more cerebral aspects of school life. This was not to say he lacked intelligence; he was as sharp as a tack. It simply means his nature was more attuned to the more exciting things in life.

 Above: His Interim School Report, May 1934. Some of the handwriting is unclear so the comments have been copied below for reader convenience.  

The teacher comments on his term one interim school report for 1934 give some good insights into his academic efforts. For his Divinity (religion) class it simply states, very fair. In English he was inclined to be careless. He was a little uneven in his efforts in history but improved steadily in Latin. He must have liked French because his teacher said, good work done. Mathematics was a problem with class work good but exams ruined by careless errors. Chemistry fared better with the comment, working well. The Form Master's Report states: He has done some good work but might concentrate more earnestly. The Headmaster advises: It's steady work that counts and keeping his head in exams. Colin would have been seventeen at the time and a senior student. His brother Jock was in his final year at Kings; he left to study at Auckland University in 1935. Colin still saw him frequently because he came back as a part-time instructor while he was studying.

1934 was a big year in which he was required to sit the all-important Matriculation exams in October-November. Would he do as well as Jock? Could he somehow pull it off? Time flew by all too quickly and with the Matriculation exams looming he received some kindly advice from his concerned father at Mangaia. Following are excerpts from the letter. 

My Dear Colin,
The Taporo is due tomorrow with another mail for which we are very thankful. There is a crowd of visitors about too - Mr Ayson among them. we shall probably have two more mails before we are cut off for the hurricane season. 

Your exam is drawing very near and we are thinking of you and hoping the very best for you. You are quite a veteran at exams by now. They will have lost their terror for you. The very best of luck that follows faithful preparation. Poor old Jock will soon be saying goodbye to his home of many years. He will feel it very much, I'm sure. With regard to yourself, we would like you to have another year just as Jock had. By the end of that time you should have a fairly good idea as to what you would like to do...The whole island is playing tennis now - men and women, young and old. We have made a very fine court at the school...we shall have another opportunity of writing to you before you break up and fixing you up for your holiday money. We were wondering where you will be going this Christmas. All our love and best wishes go with this.

Your loving Daddy.

Colin duly sat the exams and waited for the results which came out late January, 1935. In his letter to his parents on Mangaia he was able to announce:

Dear Mother and Daddy,
How are you getting on? The matric results are out and I failed. Instead of the results taking up the whole page they only took up half a page. Only seventeen of our chaps got through. I have not got my card yet but I think I must have failed in both languages. There is some talk that this will be the last year that matric will be held. They are going to replace it with some other exam.

His father replied:

My dear Colin,
So pleased to get another letter today...I was glad to get your matric card; you gave the exam a jolly good go, and I believe the exam was extra hard this year. Well, you should have no trouble next time. We are very pleased with your various reports. I am gratified to have the Head's good report of your all-round progress. It is very comforting to know that....Stick to it Colin and do your level best this year in every department....We are delighted too that you were considered good enough to be picked for the Secondary School Reps. I do hope Jock makes the 1st XIV before he leaves college...Well Colin ,I hope you have a good football season. All our love to you,

Your loving Daddy.

However, on the sports field it was an entirely different matter. Colin was a very good rugby player and an excellent cricketer. He was a dab hand at tennis and a fine boxer, wining many awards and competitions during his time at Kings.

Left: Colin's photo in the Auckland Star announcing his winning of the Junior cup at the Kings School annual sports day 1928, probably in his second year. The other boy won the senior cup.
He was also a an extremely kindhearted and thoughtful young boy who deeply loved his family. He wrote weekly to his family in Magaia and to his his little sister when she was at boarding school in Palmerston North. His letters were always positive and happy and he gave his best comfort and encouragement to his young sister who often found her situation both lonely and frightening. At least he and Jock were together at the same school and even played in the same sports teams. Little Jean on the other hand was on her own. He was obviously sensitive to that.

Above: Colin and Jock, Kings College rugby team. Colin seated second from right.         

Below: Jock (Head Boy) seated with Colin (Prefect) standing behind him.

                              Colin in a Kings College school photo: can you spot him?

Colin finished at Kings College in 1936 and went to work in the accounts department at Briscoes in Auckland. He was, by all accounts good at the job and in the weekends often came home to Puketotara. Sometime around 1937, Jock found it necessary to suspend his university studies and return to Puketotara;  the farm was becoming seriously run down and stock and equipment were disappearing from it at an alarming rate. The pastures were turning to weeds and the health of the cattle was suffering. Jean joined him in 1938. Colin remained at Briscoes and contributed in money and services to the task of getting the farm back into shape before the return of their parents. The problem arose because Grandfather Arthur passed away in 1926 leaving Granny Matire to run it until her own health gave out, compelling her to put a manager over it. It didn't work out over the long term and the farm deteriorated; especially after her death in 1935. In her will she bequeathed Puketotara to Daisy and John.

                         Grandfather Arthur (Waati) Sydney Ormsby, 1853 ~ 1926

                        Granny Matire (Matilda) Wright, 1855 ~ 1935.

John and Daisy finally left Mangaia for good in 1938. They initially signed on for a three year stint but ended up staying for over fourteen years. After his successful first three year contractual term John was offered the position of Resident Agent over Mangaia which he accepted. It was a great job and gave him and Daisy an eternity of precious memories and experiences. Daisy became renowned for her nursing skills and contributed tremendously to health and wellness on Mangaia. Together they could have gone on to other things and other places but instead they decided to retire to their beloved Puketotara. 

1938 was a golden year; the family was finally reunited after fourteen long years of separation. They were happy times with Jock and his father working the farm together, Jean running about like a spoiled teenager, Colin happily earning good money in Auckland and Daisy spending money as fast as she could. Their years on top salaries had provided them with a fat bank account.

Puketotara became a gathering place for everyone and anyone. John and Daisy were great hosts and the house and farm saw many a grand party, riverside picnics, sports days and other such entertainments. John was a superb organizer, a skill he honed to perfection as an administrator on Mangaia. 

But the happy days were not to last, the dark clouds of war had broken over Europe and the colonies were being dragged into it. In 1939 New Zealand was asked by the motherland to contribute to the war effort in supplies and soldiers. Being staunch British subjects at the time, the country eagerly answered the call to arms and Colin and Jock went to war. 


                                                                    

                                                                       End of Part One

Jock McGruther: Items of Historical Interest.

Additional Documents and Pictures of Major Jock McGruther

Appreciation card from Jocks parents to well-wishers.

Below: The full military record of Jock McGruther

Full Name: John Robert McGruther

Forename(s)

: John Robert

Rank Last Held:

Major

Surname

: McGruther

Also Known As:

Jock McGruther

War	World War II, 1939-1945

Serial No.

2699

Gender

: Male

Place of Birth:

Tamahere, Waikato, New Zealand

First Known Rank

Second Lieutenant Lieutenant

Occupation before Enlistment

Farmer Farmer

Next of Kin

Mr John McGruther (father), Pirongia, via Te Awamutu, Waikato, New Zealand Mr John McGruther (father), Pirongia, Waikato, New Zealand

Marital Status

Single Single

Enlistment Address

Pirongia, Waikato, New Zealand Pirongia, via Te Awamutu, Waikato, New Zealand

Military District

Te Awamutu, New Zealand

Body on Embarkation

Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force (2NZEF), 1st Echelon Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force (2NZEF), 11th Reinforcements

Embarkation Unit

Headquarters, 18 Infantry Battalion Infantry Reinforcements

Embarkation Date

5 January 1940 1944

Place of Embarkation

Wellington, New Zealand Wellington, New Zealand

Vessel

Orion Mooltan or Willem Ruys

Destination

Egypt Egypt

Nominal Roll Number

WW2 1 WW2 13

Page on Nominal Roll

WW2 112 WW2 76

Campaigns

Greece Crete Italy

Last Unit Served:

24 Infantry Battalion

Place of Death

: Italy

Date of Death

: 14 July 1944

Age at Death

: 29

Year of Death

: 1944

Cause of Death

: Killed in action

Cemetery Name

: Assisi War Cemetery, Italy

Grave Reference

: VI.G.1.

Biographical Notes

John McGruther was the son of Mr John McGruther, of Te Awamutu. Jock McGruther attended King's College (St John's House) from 1929 to 1934. He was Head Boy and a member of the rugby team and was subsequently on the teaching staff of King's School. He was commissioned in the 1st Echelon and served in Greece and Crete. He was wounded and invalided back to New Zealand in 1941. He returned to serve on the instructional staff of NMDSI at Narrow Neck in January 1942 where he remained until the end of 1943 with the rank of Captain. He was chief instructor when he left and returned to the fighting front in January 1944, having taken a drop in rank to Lieutenant. He soon regained his captaincy and was almost immediately promoted to Temporary Major. Jock was killed in action at Monte Camurcina (south west of Florence). At this point in the war the 2 New Zealand Division was attempting to dislodge the enemy which was standing firm south of Arezzo in order to delay the advance up the Arno valley. In June 24 Battalion had advanced through Sora and Captain McGruther, commanding C Company, had occupied a castle dominating Sora. In July 2 New Zealand Division joined the concentration of forces in the push north. By 13 July C Company was moving forward towards Monte Camurcina, half-way between Lignano and Cavadenti and Major McGruther installed his advanced company headquarters in a house near the summit of Mt Camurcina. On the morning of 14 July the headquarters was being heavily mortared from about 7 am. Shortly before 10 am Major McGruther was badly wounded by shellfire. Sergeant Thompson promptly came up from the RAP to carry him out, only to find on arrival that he had died in the meantime. The second-in-command, Captain Casling-Cottle, took over the company. [Official History of 24 Battalion, by R.M. Burdon, p. 265]

NZETC

New Zealand Electronic Text Centre topic page

Further Reference

Burdon, R. (1959). 24 Battalion. Wellington, Dept. of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.. Burdon, R. (1959). p.257, 263, 265 Tribute. (2009). King's Courier. (King's College, Auckland). No 113, Autumn, p. 26

Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force Nominal Roll No. 1 (Embarkations to 31st March, 1940) Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force Nominal Roll No. 13 (Embarkations from 1st January, 1944 to 31st March, 1944) Commonwealth War Graves Commission. URL: http://www.cwgc.org Above: One of Major Jock McGruther's service medals (Memorial Medal). It's known that there are five more that have exchanged hands from time-to-time and now owned by a collector. Efforts are being made to see if the medals can be traced and possibly returned to the family. It appears no-one in the family knew they even existed until very recently. It will be a fascinating story to know the journey they have been on since 1944 and how they came to be out on the public market in the first place.                             Below: The back of the medal showing name and number. List of War Medals Awarded  1. 1939-45 Star 2. Africa Star 3. Italy Star 4. Defence Medal 5. War Medal 1939-45 6. New Zealand War Service Medal Above: Jock in his youth. The following is a special letter from Jock's Chaplain, Rev. R.M. Gourdie, to Jock's grieving mother, dated 21st July 1944. Dear Mrs. McGruther, Please accept my deepest sympathy in your sad bereavement and with it the sympathy of all those of the 18th Regiment who knew Jock. His passing has come as a great shock to his many friends over here, so what it must mean to you over there I can only imagine. I do truly believe that you mothers have far more to endure in suspense and anxiety than we have, and then the loss of such a one as your son must make things almost unendurable. Nearly two years ago when I first joined Jock's old Battalion I heard of him, tales of his gallantry and accounts of his personality which described him as a truly great man with a most lovable character. I did not have the good fortune to meet Jock until about three weeks ago, but I found that all the wonderful things I had heard of him were indeed true. Why such men as he have to go I can't understand. God knows we need men like him when this fearful affliction of war is over. Perhaps it is that they are too good for this world. I do wish there was something I could write to give you comfort, but I know that it will help you to know just what a giant in character your son was, and what everybody thought of him. I'm afraid there is not much I can tell you of the actual tragedy, but the R.S.M. of 24 Battalion did tell me that Jock spoke after he was hit, and so typical of him, he inquired about the condition of his men who were there, asking if they were alright. Colin, who has done many, many, deeds of gallantry (and, thank God is being restored to you), asked me to take the funeral service which I did. There were many there from other units, 18ths, 21sts, and even though his own Battalion was in action, quite a few from his own unit. He was laid to rest in a quiet, peaceful spot of Italy and the grave was fixed up nicely with a cross. Later his remains may be shifted to a more central cemetery and if this is done his grave will always receive care and attention. As it is now it will be quite well looked after. There is little more I can write except to assure you of our prayers that God will give you comfort, and, more than that, the courage and strength to carry on. Perhaps it will help a little if you try to think of it not in terms of what you have lost but what he was and what he fought for. Believe me, Mrs McGruther, there are many hearts in Italy and Egypt which reach out to you in deepest understanding and sympathy. Yours very Sincerely, R.M. Gourdie, Padre. In May 2014 Uncle Jocks great-niece, Miriam Esteves, wrote to the Christchurch Star in her efforts to trace Jock's missing medals. The following is the excellent article printed in the May 14th Christchurch Star by The Star reporter, Emma-Jane McClennan. Note: I had to do some adjusting to fit it on the on the page so while it's not exactly as it came in the Star, all the information is there (Press the control key on your keyboard and then the + key to enlarge the article). The following is the reply to the reporter from the NZDF Archives office to her enquiry about Jock's medals. Good afternoon Emma-Jane, Thank you for your enquiry into the service records of the late Mr John Robert MCGRUTHER, service number 2699. Mr McGruther enlisted in the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force of the NZ army on the 19th September 1939 and was embarked for overseas service on the 5th January 1940 with the first draft of New Zealand troops. He was posted to 18 Battalion and served with this unit in Greece and Crete where he was wounded by German air attack, being hit by machine gun fire in the arm and chast. He was medically evacuated back to New Zealand and occupied an appointment as an instructor while recuperating. Once recoveerd he re-embarked for overseas service on 12th January 1944, and served further in Italy. John McGruther was commanding C Company of 24 Battalion at Monte Camurcina in Italy when we was fatally wounded by shellfire. He had risen to the rank of Major. For his second world war service he was eligible for the following medals, which are all campaign medals or service medals: ·         1939-45 Star ·         Africa Star ·         Italy Star ·         Defence Medal ·         War Medal 1939-45 ·         New Zealand War Service Medal I will keep this enquiry open in case you have any subsequent questions. Kind regards Dave Gibson Archive Enquiries Officer NZDF Archives | HQ JFNZ Private Bag 905 | Trentham Military Camp | UPPER HUTT 5140 Tel: +64 4 5275273 | Fax: +64 4 5275275 Web: http://www.nzdf.mil.nz The following is a copy of an email from the medals Dept. NZDF in reply to a request concerning the issuing of Jock's medals. Hello David, For his service 2699 John Robert MCGRUTHER was awarded the following medals: 1939-45 Star Africa Star Italy Star Defence Medal War Medal 1939-45 NZ War Service Medal On checking his records it has been noted that for his service during WWII these medals have been issued to his father 14/03/1950. The memorial cross was issued to his mother 18/05/1948. All the medals and the memorial cross were replaced 01/04/1954 on the application of his mother after the originals had been lost in a house fire. All medals for former NZ service people have been and continue to be issued by the NZ Defence Force. The only time NZDF will refer people to someone outside of the NZDF is if it is a family member wanting to replace a deceased relatives issued medals.  All WW2 medals were issued by “Base Records” after stock was received from the UK in 1948.  NZDF Medals (part of the re-named Base Records) still continue to issue some medals from this original stock for unclaimed WW2 applicants. I can not give you any advice on if the medals on Trade Me are original or not as there is no longer a photo of them on that listing (286165814).  The only comment I can make is that no NZ WW2 medals were issued engraved. Some former servicemen or their families did have the medals privately engraved so can only assume that the medals sold in 2010 were some of these. Regards Chris BROOKS Assistant Staff Officer Medals Yvonne Morrow (1915-1999), Jock's Fiance Yvonne was the first born daughter of Ruby and Vivian Morrow and sister of Gwen and Alison. She attended Whitiora School and Hamilton Technical College then later worked for FAC, (AFC) Hamilton all her working life. She lived with her parents at Ulster Street and later with her sister Gwen at Cardrona Avenue. She later moved to Glenbrae, Rotorua, in February 1999. Yvonne died in Rotorua 1st June 1999. Yvonne Morrow (1915-1999) Father: Walter Vivian (Viv) Morrow (1883-1956) Mother: Ruby Leask Mundy (1887-1966) Siblings: Gwen Morrow (1917-1990), Alison Vivian Morrow (1925-2008) Fiancé: John (Jock) Robert McGruther (1915-1944) Before the outbreak of the Second World War she was, according to a niece, engaged to Jock McGruther who was killed in action. No one ever measured up to Jock and she remained single. When she died the following notes supported the eulogy. Yvonne Morrow was born in 1915 during World War One, the oldest of three girls in the family of Ruby and Walter Vivian Morrow of Ulster Street, Hamilton. Yvonne’s sisters were Gwen and Alison.They all attended the Whitiora School where Yvonne was a prefect and Dux. She continued her Secondary schooling at Hamilton Technical College. WORK TRAINING. 1930-1975: Yvonne entered as a junior in the typing pool at AFC (now FAC) and rose to be secretary to the manager at FAC where she stayed all her working life expressing her gifts of administration and management. One day at the age of 60, Vonnie arrived home with a cooked chicken and a bottle of wine and announced to her family members that she had retired and said, “Let's celebrate.” INTERESTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS: This attractive, capable woman was a gentle risk-taker. Vonnie was a woman who enjoyed her independence and her personal freedom. She was a lady who knew her own mind and enjoyed discussion and could actively listen on a deep level. She was a wise lady who was not afraid of sharing her true feelings and emotions. To her own family she was known affectionately as Aunt Bunny and also by her great-nieces and great-nephews. Jane could not say 'Vonnie' when she was small and called her Bunny and this was adopted by the rest of the family. Vonnie was a vital and creative woman who appreciated the aesthetics of a room, a garden, and the natural world of crystal and shells fascinated her. She lived with Gwen, her sister, for 24 years at Cardrona Avenue. Gwen died in 1990. They were a complimentary pair, though with very different personalities and gifts. This allowed their individual creativity and flair to be expressed. Gwen was the practically creative one Vonnie the creative and  imaginative one. Vonnie loved her garden and all beautiful and pretty things. There was always fresh flowers on the table to decorate the room. IMPRESSIONS: Vonnie Morrow was like a fairy godmother to her nieces and nephews. They remember the bowl of fresh sweets and chocolates, and the sponges and scones when they visited. There was no sitting around wondering what to do at Aunt Bunny's. She actively encouraged her nieces and nephews to enter into games of all kinds. She had a marvelous imagination and play-acting and writing was in. Games of all sorts were in. Although she had no children of her own, Vonnie enjoyed her nieces and nephews. She was generous and full of fun, ready to take them off to town and always having something different to do. The normal run-of-the-mill toys and games were to be found at Cardrona Avenue, instead, many fascinating activities. PASSIONS: Vonnie's passions were reading, writing and music. She was an exceptionally good letter writer; salting her text with humour and her poems. Vonnie loved music and was honoured with a Life Membership to the Recorded Music Club in Hamilton. Vonnie had a large circle of friends. She was tiny and dainty and a beautifully dressed lady. She loved dressing up and enjoyed times with her family and other friends. Vonnie liked to be adventurous. She toured New Zealand and visited Rarotonga and Australia a few times. In her 83rd year Vonnie Morrow moved to Glenbrae in Rotorua to live and be near her sister Alison and other family in Whakatane and Napier. This was a fairly traumatic experience for Vonnie, leaving behind her home and lifelong friends and all she knew and loved. It was a matter of necessity that she move, but Vonnie did not accept it fully and never truly settled in Rotorua. She always yearned to return to Hamilton. Isn’t it true the saying: Home is where the heart is. Vonnie was a strong Christian believer. She prayed daily that the Lord would Guide her. She held a strong belief in the power of prayer: Ask and you will receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened to you (Matthew 6). Vonnie believed and acted on this prayer: Whatever you ask of the Father in my name, said Jesus, the Father will give you (John 15:16). Vonnie has been part of the fellowship and life of 1st Church in Hamilton since she was 7 years old. We shall all miss Vonnie Morrow as a sister, a wonderful aunt and friend, a confidant and inspiration. As the Lord has given Vonnie as a gift to you all let us release her in the sure and loving hands of the Lord.  First Names: Yvonne Last Name: Morrow Date of Birth: 1915 Date of death: 1999 Place of death: Rotorua Fathers name: Walter Vivian Morrow (Viv) Fathers date of birth: 1883 Fathers date of death: 1956 Mothers name: Ruby Leask Mundy Mothers date of birth: 1883 Mothers date of death: 1966 Name of sibilings: Alison Crockett (nee Morrow) and Gwen Tootell (nee Morrow) An interesting footnote In a letter from Jock’s brother, Colin, written to his parents from the front lines during World War Two we read: I had a very welcome letter from Jock not long ago. He said, ’I have fallen and got it badly this time. Her name is (blank) and she is from (blank). Please don’t tell anyone about it. Colin, while bursting to tell all, was obviously honoring his older brother’s wishes to not reveal her name. He continues: Needless to say, I showed all the boys in the Mess who knew Jock. They were tickled to bits as you can imagine, and over a few pints quoted anecdotes about him when he was in the mess. The letter was written 22 November, 1942 when Jock was back home recovering from his wounds. Jock's War Service Medals Sold at Auction On 5 July 2016, Jock's military medals were auctioned at Cordy's Auction House in Auckland and sold to the Auckland Museum for $NZ3,000. This, I expect, will be their final destination after a long journey since they were separated from our family probably soon after World War Two. How they got out onto the open market is still a mystery but it is pleasing to see that they now repose in a place where everyone can view them and where they will be secure for generations to come; no more wandering from collector-to-collector. They are in medals heaven, one might say. Left to right: 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, Italy Star, Defense Medal, War Medal 1939-45, New Zealand War Service Medal  The following is the description from the auction catalog. LOT 15: A VERY SPECIAL SET OF SIX WWII MEDALS AWARDED TO 2699 MAJOR J. R. McGRUTHER. THE 1939-45 STAR, AFRICA STAR, ITALY STAR, DEFENSE MEDAL, WAR MEDAL 1939-45, AND THE N.Z. WAR SERVICE MEDAL. Major John Robert (Jock) McGruther was born 25 June, 1915, to John Honi Ruki Pohepohe McGruther and Daisy Mary Te Kurawhakairi Ormsby at Tamahere. He was head boy at King's College in 1933. He received his commission as a Lieutenant and was assigned to the Eighteenth Battalion thirty-fourth anti tank battery to serve in the Middle East stationed in Egypt. Jock saw action in Crete, Greece and Italy. While in Crete, around 1941, he was severely wounded and was sent to a field hospital for over a month before being repatriated back to New Zealand to complete his recovery. He didn't have to return to the front lines, his wounding was sufficient to allow him to see the rest of the war out at home, but he was desperate get back to be with his comrades. He returned to the Second NZDEF fighting front in January 1944 and was posted to the Twenty Fourth Battalion as a company commander with the rank of Major. It was a fateful decision; he was killed in action just seven months later, 14 July, 1944. A clear account of his death is given in R. M. Burdon's Official History of 24th Battalion. He was killed in action at Monte Camurcina (South-west of Florence). Second New Zealand Division was attempting to dislodge the enemy, which was standing firm south of Arezzo, in order to delay the advance up the Arno valley. In June 2, the battalion had advanced through Sora and Captain McGruther , commanding C-Company, had occupied a castle dominating Sora. On the morning of the 14th of July the headquarters was being heavily mortared from from about 7 a.m. Shortly after 10 a.m. Major McGruther was badly wounded by shellfire. Sergeant Thompson promptly came up from the R.A.P. to carry him out, only to find on arrival that he had died in the meantime. The second in command, Captain Casling-Cottle took over the company.  Mounted on bar with ribbons and copies of military records. $2,000 ~ $3,000.