THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT

BLACK Graeme Buxton

35314, BQMS, 161 Battery, Royal New Zealand Artillery

CITATION

British Empire Medal

Gazetted NZG Number 53 dated 12 September 1966

Staff Sergeant Black has held the appointment of Battery Quarter Master Sergeant (BQMS) in 161 Field Battery, Royal New Zealand Artillery, throughout his tour in the Republic of Vietnam.  As Battery Quarter Master Sergeant, Staff Sergeant Black has been called upon to cope with problems of considerable magnitude.  161 Field Battery is organised on light scales and has only the minimum of men necessary to function in a normal operational setting. The conditions under which 161 Field battery serve are unique however. The Battery is independent, has three separate national supply systems, is remote from its New Zealand superior headquarters and is frequently called upon to deploy an operational group many miles from its base. These factors call for the very highest standards of supply flexibility and efficiency.  The fact that 161 Field Battery has proved itself to be thus flexible and constantly prepared is due to a great extent to the untiring efforts of Staff Sergeant Black. By his initiative, tenacity, personality and unselfish devotion to duty, far above that normally expected of a non-commissioned officer, he has assured, where humanly possible that the Battery is kept properly supplied.  The example set by Staff Sergeant Black has been in keeping with the highest traditions of the Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit and the New Zealand Army.

KNOWN AWARDS

British Empire Medal [mil]

New Zealand Operational Service Medal

Queen's Vietnam Medal

New Zealand General Service Medal (warlike)

Vietnam

Vietnam Star

1960

NOTES

Born New Zealand

Died 3 August 2019 Tauranga, New Zealand

Ashes buried Mangutu Urupa