OBITUARY
21777 HONORE David Andrew, Pnr
David HONORE was born on 23 of August 1894 of God fearing parents, who at the time were clearing the bush to make a home for their family in the Tiritea Valley. As Dave grew up, he became keenly interested in the bush and streams around his home. This love of the outdoors and nature stayed with him all his life. He was never happier than when he was deer stalking in the ranges adjacent to his home, or fishing. After finishing his schooling he commenced an engineering apprenticeship with SS Niven and Co, Palmerston North. At the outbreak of WW1 he joined the NZEF, his number being 3/54, and sailed for active service. He was In the landing in Western Samoa and was later on the Troopship Marquete, when it was torpedoed in the Aegean Sea and spending hours in the water. After four and a half years of service, having reached the rank of Sergeant, he returned to his civilian occupation, this time in motor engineering in both Marton and Palmerston North. During 1935 Dave turned his engineering knowledge to manufacturing and operating saw-mills. Back in the New Zealand bush, he loved so much. At the outbreak of WW2 Dave formed and commanded the Linton Home Guard. In 1944 he was sent by the New Zealand Forestry Department to Western Samoa to erect a sawmill and to educate the Samoans in the art of felling and logging their own timber. After supervising these operations for 2 years he returned to New Zealand and back to sawmilling, then later into his original trade as a Fitter and Turner. Dave, over a period when he was younger, was called upon by the Police Department to lead and direct search and rescue work, as his bush knowledge was had only by a few at that time and on one occasion he led a Police and Airforce rescue party to a lost plane from Ohakea Air Base. Dave was many people: Bushman, Deerstalker, Mechanic, Soldier, Husband and Father. Courageous, venturesome and almost foolhardy in some of the risks that he took, but he was a Christian with faith in the great creator. Dave the Frontiersman joined ‘N’ Squadron in 1933, was Troop Leader 1936-38, Squadron Leader 1938-40 and 1957-61 and elected Commandant in 1962-65. His Legion awards bestowed upon him – LSEM and the Pioneer Axe. Dave was very much instrumental in the present home of ‘N’ Squadron, lending most of the finances to purchase the property. In 1958 Dave organised a camp at his Wairuna property at Linton and a very pleasant time was enjoyed by all who attended. In 1965 Dave moved to Masterton and duly transferred to ‘K’ Squadron, to whom he remained attached. He became a life member of ‘K’ Squadron. From Masterton he shifted to Foxton and later shifted back to Palmerston North, where he had still regular contact with older members of ‘M’ Squadron. When in hospital, even members from ‘K’ Squadron came to visit him. When the great Commander called Dave home, members of ‘N’, ‘K’, ‘G’ Squadrons and ‘W’ Troop as well as the Commandant, his Deputy and his Adjutant attended the funeral; 34 in total. ‘N’ Squadron provided the pallbearers and the trumpeter for the Last Post. To his wife and family, all members of the Legion of Frontiersmen of the New Zealand Command do express their deepest sympathy. God Guard Thee.
