Sir Robert Gillies, of Rotorua, KNZM, for services to Māori and war commemoration
Sir Robert Gillies, of Rotorua, KNZM, for services to Māori and war commemoration.
Sir Robert Gillies is the last remaining member of the 28th Māori Battalion and served in B Company during World War 2 from 1942 to 1945, across Africa, Europe and the Middle East, and primarily in Italy. Over more than 20 years, Sir Robert has represented the men and service of the Battalion at national and international events. In addition to annual dawn and civic Anzac ceremonies, this has included many individual occasions including Ngarimu Scholarship presentations in Wellington and laying the wreath at the ceremony in Italy in 2019 to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Battles of Cassino. He was recognised as a Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 2019. He has been a Trustee of the 28th Māori Battalion B Company History Trust since 2013. He has been an active member of the Te Arawa Returned Services Association, holding several roles. He recently led the 75th anniversary celebration of the return of the B company to Tamatekapua in Rotorua following WW2. He has long been active with his iwi Ngāti Whakaue, and continues to work on the marae, maintain the war memorial, and participate in iwi affairs. Sir Robert is a member of Waikite Rugby Club and was instrumental early on in establishing the current clubrooms.