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Record Detail |
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| Full Name: |
John McRae |
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| Rank Last Held: |
Gunner |
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| Forename(s): |
John |
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| Surname: |
McRae |
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| War: |
Korean War, 1950-1953 |
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| Serial No.: |
204368 |
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| Date of Birth: |
13 May 1928 |
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| Place of Birth: |
Thames, Coromandel, New Zealand |
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| Occupation before Enlistment: |
Mill hand |
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| Next of Kin: |
Mr Leonard McRae (father), Whangamata, New Zealand |
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| Enlistment Address: |
Hikutaia, New Zealand |
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| Body on Embarkation: |
Kayforce |
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| Military Awards: |
New Zealand Operational Service Medal (NZOSM) |
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| Last Unit Served: |
New Zealand Artillery, 16 Field Regiment |
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| Place of Death: |
Korea |
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| Date of Death: |
3 May 1953 |
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| Age at Death: |
24 |
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| Year of Death: |
1953 |
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| Cause of Death: |
Killed in action |
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| Cemetery Name: |
United Nations Cemetery, Pusan, Korea |
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| Obituary: |
NZ Herald, 5 May 1953, p. 8. |
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| Biographical Notes: |
- Served with Kayforce 1952-53
- "During the following night, 2 - 3 May, the regiment suffered its first, and only, enemy-inflicted fatal casualties of the year. A heavy bombardment seemed to indicate that an attack on 28 Brigade was imminent, though in the end it fell on neighbouring Canadians and gave the New Zealand gunners a busy night. While operating behind Hill 159, Sergeant R.J. Reid, 162 Battery's signals sergeant, and Gunner John McRae were killed by this enemy shellfire." (McGibbon 1996, vol. 2, p. 338) Gunner McRae's sister, Mrs Witarina MacKenzie of Whangamata received the New Zealand Operational Service Medal on his behalf from the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defence at a presentation at the Auckland War Memorial Museum on Thursday 27 November 2003
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| Further References: |
- Ian McGibbon, New Zealand and the Korean War, Volume II: Combat Operations, Oxford University Press, Auckland, 1996, pp. 338, 371, 407. [photo of funeral service pp. 350-351]
- New Zealand in the Korean War. NZHistory online. URL: http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/war/korean-war
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