Its times like this where one has the opportunity to remember the special times.I was about two and a half, and had not long met my Dad for the first time, when we went to Wellington to greet the Troop Ship that had Rex on board.It turned out that Uncle Bob Stevens was also a passenger.
Rex came down the gang plank with a huge sheep skin koala bear called Sam.
Grandparents Fred and Nell plus Murray and Gretta were there to greet Rex and I became the lucky custodian of Sammy bear. In the last few months he has been passed along to the eldest son of my eldest son Tim, Flynn for safekeeping.
There were great celebrations at Mathon Lodge as the "boys' came home. Winston, Trevor, Helen, Murray and Rex all were the lucky ones while we were all conscious that Geoff Inns and Don McGregor did not.
The sing songs around the piano there have been enjoyed since with Margaret taking over for this generation.
Perhaps my next vivid family memory revolved around the loss of Helen, Trevor and little Keith whom we had visited quite often along with Rex in Palmerston North.
Many of the family were part of the healing service at Ohakune a dozen or so years ago.
We were an incredibly lucky family travelling to the Waikato when ever there were holidays and long weekends. Fun on the farms with Bill, Elsie and their children, Gwen, Ern, Noeline and Margaret, Gordon and Jean and our cousins and of course Ben Hame and the great times Winstone and Margaret allowed us to have. Grandparents Fred and Nell were often there also as we joined in haymaking and other farm chores.
Rex was always a welcome arrival and somehow his presence brought a special completeness and sense of adventure with him.
Trevor and Joan, and later with Phyl brought the joy of all our cousins sharing in those wonderful days and of course the potato fights at Penwain when our older cousins got married.
Having spent my days in the Wairarapa Rex's exploits and triumphs at Wairarapa College were quite a legend. Leaving to join the Air Force when war was declared when he had been head prefect, rugby captain and an athletic star left a real empathy and the reunion we held for his 1st XV players which included one All Black was a special time.
Of course his around Australia trips were enjoyed by several Wairarapa folk and they all marvelled at the route that Rex had arranged and the adventures en route. He was held in great esteem by these people.
Rex got the go ahead for SPANZ on November 13th 1959, the day I had my UE accredited so I have never held the 13th as ominous! We were all so proud of what he achieved and saddened by the innovative Airlines eventual demise. On a more triumphant note was the reunion flight of SPANZ in recent times.
A few years back we had the opportunity to baby sit a blind dog in the adjoining apartment to Rex and Betty where Lindy recorded many of Rex's war time memories. Somewhat earlier a NZ film had been made about wartime issues and we have Rex's input to that production.
At one point it was to focus on the Daniell family; Rex in the Air Force, Trevor with the radar, Winstons experience in Greece and in POW camp, Murray in the Pacific, Helen in the Middle East, Gordon at Waiouru and Bill and Ern in the Home Guard. Of course the wives and children surviving in those threatening times.
Wairarapa was to be the scene with the Japanese POW camp and troop training at Featherston. The flying training at Hood Aerodrome, the Coastwatchers, the American troops and the 1942 earthquake and later the Polish refugee camp at Pahiatua.
Back to Rex. Although the youngest of his family somehow there was always something special when we knew he was coming and when we were with him. The same presence, I am sure, that made him a successful leader in wartime and in the times ahead.
I have had the privilege lately of leading the ANZAC parade and have had Murray's service medals properly mounted as I am entitled to wear them.
I remarked to the artisan about my Uncle Rex being one of the most decorated pilots in WW2 and within a few seconds this chap had looked up the records. He remarked about the extent of Rex's medals and noted that the Netherlands Flying Cross was very rare. A few days later he phoned me to say that there was a NFC available on the internet and I agreed to secure it. In the course of the next few months we acquired all the balance and last year on Rex and Betty's valedictory tour we were able to present these to Rex when he stayed with Kirsty and Craig in Masterton. He sent us a photo of himself with the medals last ANZAC day.
Again Lindy and I were lucky after numerous modes of transport to find Rex and Betty home recently and to share lunch with them at the RSL Club.
Gretta as the only other surviving member of a special generation sends greetings and best wishes to 'Little Brother".
We have all been extremely fortunate to have shared such a remarkable man
Love
Garry
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