John Denvir ( 1913

John Denvir

( 1913 - 1973 )

Biography

Born in Glasgow, Scotland on 5 May 1913, moved to New Zealand around 1925.

Joined 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary force in 1939. Captured in Corinth Canal on 28 April 1941, POW-Maribor, escaped in September 1941, recaptured, escaped again on 9 December 1941 and joined Tito's Partisans in 1942.

During time with partisans John was wounded four times - 8 August 1942, 10 September 9142, 2 September 1943 and 24 October 1943.

Rejoined Allied lines on 28 January 1944 and commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in April 1944; returned 11 Jun 1944; posted to retire list 10 September 1944. Served with 20th Battalion in Middle East and Italy.

Visited Yugoslavia in 1955 & 1967, received decorations from government of the day.

"Corporal Denvir was know as 'Frank' among the Yugoslav Partisan Forces and for his outstanding courage in the face of danger and hardship. The good he did to the Allied cause in Yugoslavia was enormous. He was captured in Greece in April 1941 and after being held as a prisoner of war at Corinth was transferred to Maribor. He escaped on 1 September 1941 but was recaptured. He escaped again in December, hid in a coal truck and reached Ljubljana, where he was advised to stay with the Partisan Forces as rejoining the British Forces was not possible. Corporal Denvir was wounded three times while fighting with the Partisans and commanded a Battalion of those forces" (London Gazette 27 April 1944)

Ranks

Corporal

2nd Lieutenant April 1944

Decorations

Distinguished Conduct Medal

1939-45 Star

Africa Star

Italy Star

Defense Medal

War Medal 1939-45

NZ War Service Medal

Medal for Valour (USSR)

"Spomenica" Yugoslavia

Order of Brotherhood and Unity 1st Class

Order of Peoples Merit

Order of Merit

Royal permission was not obtained for the acceptance of these

Assignments

1st Echelon, 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary force on 5 January 1940

1st Battalion of Krim Partisan detachment

2nd Battalion of Krim Partisan detachment

4th Slovenian National Freedom Shock Brigade

Died

11 March 1973 in Blenheim, New Zealand

Bibliography:

Peterson

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