McRae, Martin Te Takahi

39098, Warrant Officer Class One, 28 (Maori) Battalion, WW2

CITATION

Distinguished Conduct Medal

Gazetted 1 August 1944,

Throughout the attacks on Cassino, Italy, in March 1944 Warrant Officer McRae displayed outstanding bravery and devotion to duty. On one occasion he personally took several prisoners in daylight under heavy machine-gun fire and then calling up a tank advanced with one of his English-speaking prisoners and using him as an interpreter, called on all enemy in a block of buildings to surrender before he attacked. More than 60 prisoners were taken without loss.  On other occasions he supervised the replenishment of ammunition to all Companies under heavy enemy fire and still under fire was responsible for the removal of a number of our wounded to safety.  In all operations, he has displayed the utmost bravery, determination and devotion to duty.”

Medal of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire

Gazetted 29 December 1942, p12

KNOWN AWARDS

Medal of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Distinguished Conduct Medal

1939-45 Star

Africa Star

8th Army

Italy Star

Defence Medal

War Medal 1939-45

New Zealand War Service Medal

NOTES

Born 23 Feb 1902, Ohinemutu, Rotorua, New Zealand

Died 30 August 1979, Rotorua, New Zealand

Biographical Notes.

39098 WO1 M Te T. McRae, MBE, DCM. Born at Rotorua, New Zealand. Engineer’s assistant and draughtsman.

Embarked 2nd Echelon 2 NZEF 1 May 1940; returned to New Zealand 14 June 1942. Re-embarked 23 May 1944; returned to New Zealand 7 Sep 1945; discharged 13 December 1945.

Served with 28 (Maori) Bn UK, Greece, Crete, North Africa and Italy. 

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