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Lot 3826      

Estimate $8,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $9,000

NEW ZEALAND. Group of Four. Military Medal (EIIR); British Empire Medal; Vietnam Medal; Vietnamese Campaign Medal.37568 Cpl R.J. Horopapera R.N.Z. Inf. Regt. Court mounted for wear. Last medal engraved others impressed. Very fine.

MM L.G. 15 April 71: ' On June 18 1970 during Operation 'CUNG CHUNG' Corporal Horopapera was section leader on a patrol with 2 Platoon, Victor Company, 2nd Royal Australian Regiment/New Zealand (ANZAC) Battalion. At approximately 0750 hours, the platoon discovered an enemy bunker system and received heavy fire, resulting in a number of casualties. Corporal Horopapera calmy deployed his section and returned fire to enable the wounded to move to the rear. Enemy fire put Corporal Horopapera's machine gun team out of action and wounded three other members of his section. Corporal Horopapera moved around his section, in the face of intense enemy fire, ensuring his men had adequate cover and at the same time assisting with the wounded. One badly wounded soldier was located to one side of the section position. An enemy machine gun was firing continuously between the wounded man and the remainer of the section. Corporal Horoapapera observed this and gauging the enemy fire, crawled through it to assist the wounded man. Exposed to enemy fire he then attempted to crawl with the wounded soldier to safety, desisting only when the pain became too great for the injured man to be moved further. He remained with the wounded soldier until the platoon medical orderly arrived. Throughout the action, Corporal Horopapera continued to control his section and direct their fire until ordered to withdraw. Corporal Horopapera, by his unselfish act in protecting the wounded was an inspiration to his section and the whole platoon.His complete disregard for his own safety and his care of the wounded soldier displayed a standard of calmness and bravery has brought credit upon himself, his regiment and the New Zealand Army.' Together with:Biography; copies of newspaper cuttings relating to award; photographs of the recipient (one with the Governor General of New Zealand); and group photograph of recipient's unit in Vietnam. Sergeant Rowland (Rolly) Alfred Joseph Anzac Horopapera RNZIR was born on 26 May 1940 at Whakatane. Educated at Te Aha Primary and Whatatane High School, he entered the NZ Army as a regular force cadet on 22 January 1977, graduated December 1958, transferred to regular force RNZEME 14 May 1959. Was assistant physical training instructor to 11 August 1961, married Emma Minhinnick on 9 September 1961 at Upper Hut, they had four sons and two daughters. His wife served for three years in the NZ Army as a private in the RNZAOC. He now qualified as a panel beater, sheet metal worker and welder in gas and arc, was promoted Corporal 14 October 1961. He was on active service in the Republic of Vietnam from April 1970 to May 1971 where he was awarded the Military Medal. Promoted to Sergeant 26 November 1973, qualified as basic all-arms instructor, signaller, mortar handling, assault pioneer instructor, general purpose machine gun, was a three star instructor RNZIR 1974 and a four starinstructor 5 December 1975. Posted to Recruit Training Depot Army Training Group Waiouru December 1975 to May 1977. He was invested with the British Empire Medal 1 December 1977 at Government House Wellington. On leaving the NZ Army he moved to Murupara and worked with KLC as a bushman then joined the company as a personnel officer. He died 9 September 1985 at Murupara and was buried with full military honours. His father also served in the first world war.