R.S.A honours Francis Meredith

While hundreds gather this morning to mark the 100 years commemoration of ANZAC, for Francis Joseph Meredith and his family, it is extra special.

The 93-year-old is the sole survivor of the Samoa Local Defence Force, Machine Gun Platoon in 1942. This was under New Zealand. His platoon teams were even recalled for stand-by during the Second World War in 1945.

For the Meredith family, the tribute to their father and grandfather, proved to be an emotional experience.

Frank had served in the First World War in 1915.

President of the R.S.A., Tuala Joe Ponifasio said that the late Frank Meredith joined the RNIR in 1915 as part of the RNZEF and had truly served his time as a soldier of war in overseas engagements.

According to the records from his grandson, Cedric Meredith, the R.S.A. traced his movements throughout his service career and went through his service records.

“Frank was a man of courage.

Frank was there through the pain, fear and suffering, the wet and cold, the adversity and uncertainty of war.”

Frank returned as a decorated soldier. He was awarded a British Victory Medal and New Zealand Service Medal and others in recognition of his service. Frank now lies at the Maagiagi Cemetery and will be honoured during the ANZAC day commemoration programme.

Tuala also paid tribute to Francis Meredith who enlisted with the New Zealand Army. He was trained by the New Zealand expeditionary Force in 1942 as a local soldier in what was then called the Samoa Local Defence Force. “The Gun platoon was set up with the sole purpose to protect Samoa from any invasions and potential enemy attacks.”

Frank had told the R.S.A. that one of his roles in the platoon amongst other things was to make sure the stationery or fix machine gun continues to fire by cooling it down with water so it would continue to fire.

“A task that sounds so simple and maybe trivial to anyone but in battle, us Infantry men with light weaponry rely on the guns to continue firing in order to suppress enemy fire. It’s a job that Francis performed with pride and dedication.”

In January this year, the R.S.A. published a photograph of the 1942 Gun Platoon in the Samoa Observer in the hope that the families of the men in the photo would come forward and register as members of the ANZAC family. “ Much to our surprise, we received a call from Rudy Meredith to say that he had seen the paper and one of those men in the photo is his father.

And that ...he is still alive.

“I want to say to you Francis Meredith, your Father Frank and your family and all the families of the men on our ANZAC honours list – that as long as we live and through many generations to come – we shall remember and we will remember and honour you, your father and all those like you and your father who made the ultimate sacrifice for peace today.”

Tuala Joe said that the R.S.A. of Samoa is going through a rebuilding phase following the path Australia and New Zealand had taken to reform their R.S.A. to make it more liberised, less strict and to allow for a wider participation from families and the eligible public to register for membership. “The Returned Services Association of Samoa belongs to everyone. Mums and Dads, the children, the professionals and anyone who wishes to support the essence of ANZAC. I urge you all to please support your RSA so we can continue to be proud of what it stands for.”