Sir Robert Nairn Gillies KNZM

Sir Robert Nairn Gillies KNZM, the last remaining member of the 28 (Maori) Battalion, passed away in Rotorua yesterday, aged 99.

Sir Robert (Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Kahungunu), who was known as Tā Bom, served with the 28 (Maori) Battalion during the Second World War. He was a member of B Company, joining the Battalion at the end of July 1943 and serving through the gruelling Italian campaign including the debilitating and costly Battles of Cassino.

In 2009, Tā Bom was awarded Italy's highest civilian honour, the Cavaliere or Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, which he accepted on behalf of all those who served in the 28 (Maori) Battalion.

He expressed this sentiment again in 2022 when he was appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to Māori and war commemoration.

Veterans' Affairs would like to extend its deepest condolences to Tā Bom's whānau and friends.