Story: Veterans’ assistance

Killed in action

Killed in action

Some New Zealand soldiers killed in the Vietnam War were not buried in the military section of a public cemetery, due to public opposition to that war. One of those was Morrie Manton, the 29-year-old section commander of Victor infantry company, who was killed by a land mine in 1967. His original gravestone at Waikumete cemetery in West Auckland made no reference to his death in action. In 2006 four of his surviving comrades erected a more detailed headstone for Manton. From left are James 'Dinga' Bell, Brian 'Willy' Wilson, Graeme 'Topsy' Turvey and their former platoon commander, Raymond 'Red' Beatson.

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New Zealand Herald
Reference: 300406NZHPE07.JPG
Photograph by Paul Estcourt

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How to cite this page:

Mark Derby, 'Veterans’ assistance - War pensions', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/31961/killed-in-action (accessed 26 April 2024)

Story by Mark Derby, published 20 Jun 2012