Taonga

Amazing what you find when you least expect it......for some reason (I dont know why) I picked up and dusted off my grandfathers old paper clipping that Ive put in a frame and read it.....dont know how many times Ive read it before but I finished and thought "I wonder where......?"
The article was from April 1998 about a reunion that was held at Te Kaha on the East Coast for surviving members of 28th Maori Battalion (C company) .
"The oldest C Company veteran 90 year old Frank Katene McDonald rested his head on his walking stick......"

Yes I share his middle name,which by the way is Maori for "Cotton" and looking at the before and after photo I can see the colour of his hair.....and with my Dad being "Cotton" topped I guess you dont have to be a rocket scientist to work out Ill be going that way too.
It also went on to say "...... he and a small group plan to go back to Italy next year to visit old battlefields and graves of old comrades........."
Unfortunately 6 months later he passed away........

Back to reality and 10 minutes later I had pulled out these little gems,about the only physical reminded of Cotton so yes a Tonga to me.

His old cut throat razor.....
A Nazi KFS set..........dont know the story of how he came about this Knife,fork and spoon set ,but I'm sure it was told in a way where the truth was in no way getting in the way of a good war time yarn......


His is bayonet off his 303 Rifle...... a photo of him and his mates outside the YMCA,Monte Cassino in Italy and his pocket watch.

8 years on and there are still so many things I wanted to say and ask,I wish I had more time with him..........Kua maru toku ngakau,but life goes on.