VICTOR FOUR COMPANY
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43551 Pte William (Doc) Doherty
- RNZIR Mentioned In Despatches
- Victor 4 Company, 6RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Bn
In 2018, Bob Davies (V3) initiated proceedings for all those who were awarded MID’s in Vietnam that they be officially presented with their award by the Governor-General of NZ.
It was met with many negative responses at all levels.
NZDF suggested that it could be done by a senior Army Officer.
Bob pointed out to most senior NZDF personnel and the NZ Government that, if it was good enough for NZ entertainers who visited Vietnam to be awarded two special medals and have them presented by the Governor-General, then it was good enough for those who fought bravely or had exceptional service in Vietnam, that they should be accorded the same formality.
13 NZ entertainers, including The Maori Volcanics were presented with 2 medals by the Governor- General, Jerry Mateparae at Government House in 2016.
During this transitional period, Bob’s mate, Wiki Kahika (MID-V3) passed away. With his perseverance, Bob finally achieved his mission.
On the Thursday 14th February, 2019, at Government House at Auckland, Bill (Doc) Doherty, along with 7 other recipients or their whanau was presented with his Mentioned in Despatches award by the Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy.
Bob was the Master of Ceremonies.
Bill travelled from Rarotonga for the ceremony and Denise advised me of the occasion and invited us to a ‘catch-up’ afterwards at an Irish pub at Ellerslie.
Bill and his partner Dina, Shirley and Andy Peters (Auckland), Chrissie and ‘Pee Jay’ Clark (Napier), Brian (Biggie Rat) Sadler and his sister Ruth (Waihi), The Mighty Quin Rodda, Denise, Alan and Geoff Dixon attended.
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