Kevin Mann Mills
Patrick Monaghan (left) and Kevin Mills during an Anzac Day parade
Image from True Mates Share Waves Once Again - Newsie
The following came from True Mates Share Waves Once Again - Newsie of December 12, 2018 and RNZN Communicators Association
Kevin Mills was a member of the crew of HMNZS Gambia up to, and at the time of the Japanese surrender. Died two days shy of Anzac Day on April 23, 2018. A well attended funeral at the Panmure – Mt Wellington RSA on April 28, 2018. RNZN contributions to his send off, and a mixed RNZN/RNZNVR bearer party carried the casket into and out of the service for the family.
Two wartime sailors who bonded over laughter and stories at their Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association "Navy" table have shared their final journey on the sea, thanks to the formal ash-scattering ceremonies offered by the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN).
Kevin Mills and Patrick Monaghan, of the Mt Wellington Panmure RSA in Auckland, served separately during the Second World War but became lifelong friends afterwards, frequently sharing Anzac Day services.
Both expressed their wish to have their ashes scattered at sea, a ceremony the RNZN provides to serving and former personnel.
The Mahanga, the RNZN's 14-metre launch with a crew of three, is used to transport an RNZN chaplain and family members from Devonport Naval Base into Waitemata Harbour.
Mr Mills' wife Glennis said it was wonderful the "boys" went together.
"Because Patrick was going out, we asked if Kevin could go out on the same boat, because of their friendship at the RSA. They were good mates."
So earlier this month, in the sunshine and light chop near Devonport's North Head, RNZN Chaplain Colin Mason presided over the service, with prayers and readings, and offered the families their moment for speeches.
Taking it in turns, family members scattered the remains of Mr Mills, then Mr Monaghan, with flowers being tossed into the sea.
Mr Monaghan served on small RNZN vessels in and around the Solomon Islands during the war. Mr Mills served on cruiser HMNZS Gambia, and was in Japan for the official surrender.
Chaplain Mason said because of the demand for the service the RNZN would increase the ash-scattering dates from three to four times a year, he said. He already has five requests for scatterings for 2019.
"The service is for Navy and ex-Navy, New Zealand and foreign, or the partner or child of an ex-Navy or serving Navy person," he said.
In a final honour, it turned out Mr Mills was owed two more medals for his service to New Zealand than he had received. Two days later, at the RSA, Acting Deputy Chief of Navy Captain Maxine Lawes made a posthumous presentation to Mrs Mills of Mr Mills's New Zealand Operational Service Medal and the New Zealand Service Medal 1946-1949.