THE BURMA STAR ASSOCIATION
OF
NEW ZEALAND

Unveiling of Monument in Remembrance of Those that Fought in The Burma Campaign
(Also read report from Rotorua Review)

On Saturday 12th August 2000 at Rotorua on North Island, New Zealand, the 36th reunion dinner and AGM of the above Branch was held and on the following day, the 13th, we had our unveiling of the Monument in remembrance to those that fought in the Burma Campaign, this being the Sunday before V.J. Day the 15th.

It is the only one in NZ, our patron Sir David Beattie GOMG, GOVO, QSO, QC did the unveiling, also in attendance was, the Mayor of Rotorua, Graham Hall J.P., R.S.A. President Jack Anderson, President of the Te Arawa returned services league Mr. P.J. Bennett (this is the local Maori tribe on whose ground the monument has been placed).

We had the cadets from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Sea scouts that acted as the markers, flag folders, etc, guarding the stone were the Army cadets. We had a 14 year old lad playing the bugle for the "Last post" and "Reveille". There was a very good turn out from the BSA members, some travelling from the South Island.

Our Vice Patron, Theo. J.M. de Lange CBE DFC. made a gallant attendance, he is still recovering from having had, both legs removed from the knee down!!.