MEMORIAL SERVICE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 32, 23 March 1942, Page 5

MEMORIAL SERVICE

LATE LIEUT. AUBREY ROTA

GATHERING AT MA TATA

The following tribute was paid by the Rev. M. A. Bennett, at a largely attended memorial service to the late Lieut. A. Rota, of the Maori Battalion who made the supreme sacrifice in Libya. The service was held at Matata.

"In these days Avhen avc mourn

the loss of so many of our young men avlio in obedience to the call of duty to our King and Empire pay the supreme sacrifice the hearts of all British people, be they coloured or Avhitc people, beat in absolute unison under the unseen baton of the great principles which become the great joint heritage of both Maori and Pakeha. Particularly does our sympathy go out in these days to Mr and Mrs Rata who mourn the loss of their youngest son, 2nd Lieut. Aubrey Rota of the 28th Maori Battalion, avlio gave his life on the blood stained battle sands of Libya.

Second Lieut. Rota Avas the finest type of Maori manhood. One remembers Avith great appreciation the influence his unassuming personality, the strength of character and the clcarmindcdness he ahvays showed, Avliile a student of Te Aute College—and it Avas Avith pride that AA'e learned he bc.re out and developcd these characteristics right up until the end, never faltering.

The memory of these things must. I am sure, make it much easier for both, his family and those of us who knew him intimately to bear his passing with fortitude and gratefulness for his past acquaintance."