Legion of Frontiersmen (New Zealand) Command

UTUTAONGA, Walter William (aka Wiremu)

68056, Warrant Officer, 28 (Maori) Battalion, WW2

1484, Legion of Frontiersmen, New Zealand (7 Apr 1959 - 23 Jan 1984)

KNOWN AWARDS

1939-45 Star

Africa Star

8th Army clasp

Italy Star

War Medal 1939-45

New Zealand War Service Medal

Legion Pioneer Axe [1978]

Silver Fern

Legion Long Service & Efficieny Medal [1976]

NOTES

Born 5 February 1920, Taumarunui, New Zealand

Died 23 January 1984 Rotorua, New Zealand

Buried Kauae Cemetery, Rotorua [Block 9, Section M80, Plot 1]

OBITUARY

1484 UTUTAONGA Walter William

June 1984 NZ Command Journal [Vol XXIII, No 6]

Walter William UTUTAONGA joined the Legion of Frontiersman on the 31st May 1958 and has proved to be a worthy Frontiersman. A year after, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, a very well disciplined and capable one. In his second year he was again promoted, this time to Squadron Sergeant Major, a position he held for six years. Following that he held the rank of Squadron OC for three years. During his time as OC he was responsible for forming and initiating the Tuhoe Troop under Staff Captain R. BURLING and Headquarters Command Colonel CONGREVE at Minginui. Lieutenant UTUTAONGA was also instrumental in procuring and setting up our Legion hall at its present site. He joined the Fire Police in 1962 and late became a member of the Civil Police Defence.

He has been involved in Search and Rescue operations with local Police around the lakes. During Her Majesty’s visit to Tauranga in 1968 he was in command of the Bay Regional Frontiersmen under the Tauranga Police Superintendant

Because of business commitments he later reverted back to the rank of Frontierman, as he felt he was not doing justice to the Legion. He then accepted the position of Sergeant Major in 1970. In 1973 he became OC of No2 Troop and hed that rank until present.

As Adjutant ‘B’ Squadron in 1974 in 1980 he was promoted to OC ‘B’ Squadron and served three years. During his service in the Legion of Frontiersmen he was awarded the Pioneer Axe and Legion Cross?

Walter William UTUTAONGA had been living in Rotorua from 18 years of age. He bought a house in the Owhata area in 1953. He was a Blacksmith and Fitter and Turner.

His overseas service in 1940 was with the 28 Maori Battalion, NZEF serving in the Middle East, Italy, Crete, England, and returning on the ‘Dominion Monarch’ in 1946