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The New Zealand Gunner Official Journal of The Royal New Zealand Artillery Association (Inc) Founded 1934 Issue # 145 March 2010 JOHN MASTERS STORY Following the publication of John Master's book, 'A Bridge Over', Hank Emery and I have been quietly working to see if it was possible to facilitate a meeting of John and Hariprasad Gurung, the ex Gurkha Sergeant Major whose life he saved in Borneo in an extraordinary display of courage which led to John being awarded an Immediate Military Cross. Some have opined the award should have been a Victoria Cross. In addition to the MC John was made an honorary member of the Simoor Club (the Gurkha Regimental Association). This was only the fourth such award in 150 years and John is one of only two still alive today. The John Masters story is of course much more than that encompassing his time as the last commander of 161 Bty in Vietnam; his Court appearance for CSM Hariprasad Gurung (ex Gurkha) and 'disturbing the peace' when, under orders he paraded the Lt Col (Rtd) John Masters, RNZA Bty down Queen Street as part of an official 'Welcome Home'; his part in the fight to achieve recognition of the John’s account of what he did which resulted in fact the Vietnam Vets were exposed to Agent Orange him being awarded the Military Cross starts on Page 7 and his role is the resolution process; his achievement in the raising of a seven figure sum for the rebuilding of the Rannerdale Veterans Home in Christchurch and more. INDEX I can advise that what started out as a relatively modest initiative has ballooned into a full scale 'John Last Post Masters - This is Your Life' type TV documentary to be John Valintine Page 2 screened on Maori TV as one of their icon programmes Alan (Crafty) Boyd Page 3 on ANZAC Day (approx 4pm). MTV is established as Col Comdt Reports Page 5 the lead broadcaster for ANZAC Day coverage. It is the CO 16 Fd Regt Reports Page 5 one day when our TV is tuned exclusively to Lt Col Nick Gillard Reports In Page 6 MTV. They do it with sensitivity and style. New Members Page 6 The programme interviewer is Judy Bailey whom Immediate MC Page 7 many of you will recall from her TV1 days. She has The Battery Guide Page 8 been the anchor person for MTV ANZAC Day coverage Mobilization Procedures 1904 Page 9 for a number of years. Gunners Backward Compatibility Page 10 The programme will feature the reunion between Notice Board Page 11 John and Hariprasad whom we have brought out from Behind the Lines Page 12 Nepal for the programme along with an ex QGO (Queens Gurkha Officer) as his 'minder'. While much of the programme was shot at John Distribution of The NZ Gunner electronically. Masters home, the reunion sequence took place at the Papanui RSA on Wednesday 17 February and was To save costs and to meet the needs of our members preceded by a formal Powhiri. I have no doubt it was we are about to be able to send your copy of The an emotional occasion and so it should have NZ Gunner to you electronically. If you wish to been. Many veterans, especially those from Malaya, take advantage of this service please advise the Borneo and Vietnam attended. Secretary (Tony McLeod) of your wish and your This is a special tribute to a man whose life up to date email address by email: should serve as an inspiration to all New Zealanders . [email protected] Article supplied by Ross Miller 2. LAST POST 1949 brought the Edward John VALINTINE introduction of universal conscription for 18 year olds – OBE, ED, ADC, 17 May CMT – and John was very 1929 - 8 December 2009 disappointed (as he was then 20) not to have been balloted. So it was John Valintine, The Gunner off to Knox St to enlist as a (Note: This eulogy was written volunteer. His first visit was to the primarily for what was a non office of the 1 st Armoured military occasion) Regiment, but was told they were I was honoured a couple of not accepting volunteers at that months ago when John asked me if stage. However it was suggested I would speak at his funeral of his that he speak with Major Nolan, second family – the Royal who was in the process of raising a Regiment of New Zealand gunner regiment. John duly Artillery. (The RNZA). Now I am presented himself for an interview – shocked that it has happened so presided over by a number of soon. WW2 veterans – and from the wide John was just so proud to be ranging questions asked had the then endorsed it for heavy trade, a gunner, and he was a gunner impression that they were looking and John confidently drove the extraordinaire in all ways but one – for a Major General rather than a GMC back to Hamilton with a full unlike most of us he was not deaf! gun number! He must have load of gunners in the back. John served as a Territorial impressed as in 1950 he joined 4 John quickly worked up Force gunner from the private Medium Regiment, at that stage through the ranks and became a gun soldier level (Gunner) to the rank of equipped with 6in howitzers, left sergeant - the commander of a gun Brigadier (a 1 star General over guns from WW1. with at detachment of 10 men – and equivalent), the highest rank a In 1951 4 Mdm Regt was then started cross training in peacetime TF soldier could achieve, equipped with the up to date WW2 command post duties. In 1952 he and after his retirement from the designed 5.5in medium gun, and was selected for officer training and active army he was appointed this became John’s love along with joined an officer cadet training unit. Colonel Commandant of the Royal the men who manned them and the Buck (John’s Brother in Regiment of New Zealand Matador gun tractors that hauled Law, who delivered the first Artillery. This is an honorary them. There were parades every obituary) has spoken of John’s appointment, and it is as one of his Thursday night at Knox St, monthly delight in being part of the 1952 successors in this appointment that weekend camps at Hopuhopu, and Coronation Contingent. It almost I speak to you today. yearly annual camps at either Tihoi didn’t come about. At this stage John chose not to have a or Waiouru where they would live John was a Sergeant, about to be nd military funeral – he could have fire their guns. commissioned as a 2 Lieutenant. had, had he so chosen – but you An anecdote from that and the coronation requirement was will note the military accoutrements time – during the 1950s apart from for private ranked soldiers. on his casket. The New Zealand the few vehicles held by the However the then commander of Ensign; his medals, including the Regiment there was a requirement the Northern Military District, Brig OBE, the ED with a number of bars to pick up additional vehicles from Walter McKinnon, a good gunner, and the medal struck for the the stores depot at Sylvia Park in allowed John to revert to the rank coronation of our present Queen; Auckland. John was tasked to pick of acting gunner for the period of the Lemon Squeezer with the up an ex US Army GMC, drive it to the deployment. So it was off to RNZA badge that he wore at that Hopuhopu, load it with ammunition Sydney on the HMNZS Black coronation; and his artillery sword. and deliver the said vehicle and its Prince and on to UK on the These are all very meaningful to load to Tihoi. John had never Australian aircraft carrier, HMAS those of us who wear the military driven a heavy trade vehicle before Sydney. John took part in the street uniform. however he happily but with some lining on coronation day, and later John’s first involvement anxious moments drove to Tihoi, completed a 24 hr guard duty at with the military was as a school without being able to find Buckingham Palace. cadet at Hamilton High. He reached overdrive, and safely delivered the John was commissioned as a nd the rank of Cadet Sergeant when in ammunition. The Regimental 2 Lieutenant on his return from th the 5 Form in 1946, and also Transport Sergeant at that time was UK, and a number of his fellow attended his first camp at a traffic officer with the Hamilton officers of this period are here with Hopuhopu in the same year. It was City Council – “Bombardier, have us today. the following year when, still as a you a heavy traffic licence?” “No Well, John worked his way school cadet, he had his first Sergeant” “Well you should have up through the ranks and experience with the guns – live if you can drive that truck all this appointments. In 1964 he became firing 6 Pdr anti-tanks guns out to way. Give me your licence” He the Battery Commander of 4 Mdm sea just north of Raglan. Muzzle Flashes .blogspot.com 2 We depend on you for items of interest Check in daily to keep up to date Send them to the Editor or with the staff in a command post. until quite recently. There remain He was always conscious of our only two originals of the Regt. Regimental history and traditions, He sailed from Wellington and guarded them to the utmost.

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