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IN MEMORIAM
Daniel RENNIE 1937 to 2010 AAS Arborfield Intake 53B
Announcements posted on the
Arborfield & The September 49ers Forum. Subject:
Dan Rennie 53b Sat Apr 03, 2010 1:59
pm It is with great regret and much sadness that I
announce the death of Dan Rennie of intake 53b. Dan served with REME and
RNZEME. He is survived by his wife Margaret and to Margaret Rennie and her
family, we extend our heartfelt sympathy and condolences. Dan dealt with his terminal illness with quiet
dignity, great fortitude and never lost his sense of humour, he was cut from
Arborfield’s finest cloth. Rest in peace mate. Greg & Maggie. _______________________________________________________ Announcements posted on the
Army Apprentice Soldiers Forum. Subject:
Re: Loss of Dan Rennie, Arborfield intake 53b Sun Apr 04, 2010 12:11 am I have asked, in all humility, if the following
words might be read out when Eulogies for Dan are called for at his Memorial
Service. .................... On behalf of a whole legion of former Boy Soldiers
of Arborfield Army Apprentices School and in particular those of intake
1953b, which experience I shared with Dan, I wish to extend sincere sympathy
and condolences to Margaret and all of her family at this sad time for them. Dan was respected and admired by all that knew
him. His quiet courage, dignity and self effacing sense of humour right to
the very end, was a hallmark of his good attitude and general outlook on life.
We are proud to have known him and to have stood shoulder to shoulder with
him, he was cut from the finest 'cloth' that Arborfield produced and was a
credit to the uniforms and badges that he wore throughout his military
career. We, the very oldest of his many comrades, salute him and acknowledge
the qualities that made him a man and one of us. We also humbly ask that
whenever his life is celebrated, as it ought to be, mention be made of our
grateful appreciation for having shared a time and place with him. On behalf of the Arborfield Old Boys Association
and all Arborfielders everywhere. Greg Peck, 53b. _________________________________________________________ Announcements posted on the
A.O.B.A. Forum. by
GregPeck53b » Sat Apr 03, 2010 12:26 pm It is with the greatest regret that I announce the
death of Dan Rennie, intake 53b. Dan was stricken with cancer last year and
after a brave and dignified battle with the disease, he has finally
succumbed. Dan had a career in the British Army and another in the NZ Army.
He was a good bloke, a good friend and a fine example of the best that
Arborfield can produce. He will be sorely missed by his wife Margaret and his
family. His daughter Danella was kind enough to see that the news of her
Dad's death was passed on to family and friends. Greg. by TeeCee55A » Sun Apr
04, 2010 12:31 am I
didn't know Dan, being a mere Jeep when he was in 4 Div, but from other
comments here, I've taken the liberty of composing this little verse as a
tribute from his many friends. Stand Easy No need at last to turn out
more than the usual 'five mins before', No final rub with hasty
duster assembling for the morning muster; Duties done and in the past,
it's time for you now to 'Stand Fast', You served your time, Dan,
gave your best, and now you've more than earned your rest; So sleep your sleep, Old
Soldier, Friend, content to know that in the end Your friends will stop and
pause awhile and fondly think of you - and smile. TeeCee ________________________________________________________ A tribute to Dan. Our paths crossed when Dan joined H.Q. Company in
September 53, as a member of Intake 53B. He trained as a Vehicle Mechanic and
played a full part in the life of the school as a member of the pipe band.
Service life meant that we went separate ways and it was to be many years
before we made contact again. Dan had served his time with R.E.M.E. and then
joined the New Zealand Army and, having completed that engagement, took up
employment with the New Zealand Government. He had settled with Margaret and
their family in the land of the Long White Cloud. We shared news with a small
group of Arborfield Friends, including those of 53B who remembered Dan very
well. It was a devastating moment when he revealed to us
that he had a life shortening cancer. He stood firm against the news,
determined that he would live life as he had always done, and that he and
Margaret would make the very most of the time they had left together. One
thing he made clear was that he very much wanted his Arborfield Friends to
keep in touch with him and this they did. He often signed off from his mails with the Maori
cry ‘AKE AKE AKE KIA KAHA’ (WE WILL FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT AND WIN) and that
belief sustained him through to the end of his life. The verse below is a Maori Hymn sung by members of
the 28th Maori Battalion of the New Zealand Army before they went into battle
in World War II and when their fallen comrades were laid to rest. I feel it
is a fitting tribute to Dan and the way in which he fought his last battle. Trevor 52A
Tama Ngäkau
Märie
By clicking on
the wreath below it is possible to listen to a live recording of members
of the 28th Maori Battalion singing the hymn on the battlefield.
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