Carrying the colour at Le Quesnoy Centenary
Palmerston North man Captain Heki Tauli will be front and centre of New Zealand’s final overseas commemoration of the First World War in November.
Captain Tauli will be carrying the Regimental Colour of 7th Wellington (City of Wellington’s Own) and Hawke’s Bay Battalion at the liberation of Le Quesnoy centenary commemorations in France on 4 November.
“The Regimental Colour bears the battle honour of Sambre (Le Quesnoy) so to be personally parading it as the Colour Ensign is very humbling,” he said.
Captain Tauli joined the Reserve Forces in 2005 as he was completing a Bachelor of Engineering. He is currently serving in 5/7 Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, and his civilian job involves working with at risk youth in the Manawatū.
The skills he has developed in the Reserve Forces have greatly added to his work with youth in the region, said Captain Tauli.
“I work with at risk youth everyday — both one-on-one and also in group programmes. The confidence and leadership skills I’ve gained in the Reserves, as well as the planning and organising skills, are a big bonus.
“Stability and structure are the keystones that provide a good environment for these young people to start integrating back into society,” Captain Tauli said.
His work with the Reserve Forces has enabled him to deploy overseas and on military exercises within New Zealand. The 100th anniversary of the liberation of Le Quesnoy is his first overseas military commemorative activity.
“I’m looking forward to representing 5/7 Battalion and those who served one hundred years ago and the personnel currently serving — it’s a huge honour.”
The 100th anniversary of the liberation of Le Quesnoy will be marked in Le Quesnoy, France, on 4 November 2018. The official commemorations include the National Commemorative Service at 11.00am (11.00pm NZ time) and a Last Post Ceremony at 5.00pm (5.00am Monday 5 November NZ time).
