"Biographical Note 22769 Maj G. T Seccombe, MBE DCM. Born at Maunu NZ 27 Oct 1915. Regular Force Soldier. Enlisted in Regular Force 3 Feb 1937, seconded to 2 NZEF 9 Dec 1939. Embarked 2nd Echelon 2 NZEF 1 May 1940; wounded 25 May 1941, captured 1 June 1941, safe in UK 4 May 1945, returned 1 Sep 1945. Reposted to Regular Force 9 Feb 1946, commissioned Lt 1 May 1947, Capt 17 Nov 1950, Maj 1 May 1958, posted to Reserve 30 Jan 1963, to Retired List 27 Oct 1965. Served with the NZ Div Cav Regt NZAC in UK, Middle East, Greece, and Crete." Source: Polascheck, A. The Complete New Zealand Distinguished Conduct Medal. p323. Puke Ariki call number: TRC355.1342 POL Garth Seccombe was awarded an MBE, DCM, 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-45, and a NZ War Service Medal. He was one of nine men to be awarded a medal from the New Zealand Greek Association's Taranaki Branch in 1991. After being captured in 1941 he was imprisoned in a Bavarian prisoner of war camp. After retiring he settled in Bell Block (73 Townsend Road) and became one of the first growers of kiwifruit in Taranaki. For more information see Daily News obituary published on Nov 30 1994. (Copy in Family Biography Files in the TRC) He was a descendent of Richard Seccombe (1803-1893) who arrived in New Plymouth on the Amelia Thompson on 3 September 1841.