“ Four Vietnam veterans arrive at Waikumete Cemetery in West Auckland with a blue chillybin. They squelch through the damp grass and mud to a section of civilian graves at the far side. It’s Saturday afternoon and although the torrential rain has let up, the sky is dark. The men set the chillybin down in between rows of headstones of the long dead. They throw down a rug, pull out some beers and pay their respects to a soldier who died a hell of a death and a man who, in their eyes, deserves a lot more respect than he ever got.

 

When Morrie Manton was blown up by a landmine in 1967, the Vietnam War had become a war of politics. Protests were taking place around the world. Instead of being welcomed home as heroes, soldiers who believed they had been serving their country faced anger.

 

A growing hostility in New Zealand spilled over on to Manton’s original headstone. He was buried in the civilian section of the cemetery 38 years ago but his headstone made no mention of the Vietnam War. Nor did it mention he was killed in action.

These four veterans from the same platoon, none of them entirely well, have come here to rectify that.”   

 

NZ Herald May 6th 2006

 

Cpl Manton served with Victor Company, the first New Zealand infantry company to go to Vietnam. Previously, Victor Company had been stationed in Terendak, Malaysia.

 

He was the first serviceman killed in action overseas, to be buried in New Zealand.

 

 

Sources - Western Leader 26th September 1967, NZ Herald, Matt McMillan.