25/04/2022
Today 25th April 2022, marks the 107th anniversary of the first ANZAC day. We pay homage for the service and sacrifice of those brave soldiers who served their country in war
As a family owned business we take time to remember our beloved father, grandfather and great grandfather - Major Alfred John Voss. A man of honour and bravery.
3 October 1918 - 1 March 1997
Lest we forget.
Below are some excerpts from citations
Award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal to Corporal A. J. Voss, Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. 1942
Copy of official citation :
"During the morning of 15th July, 1942, in the attack on El Ruweisat Ridge, in the Western Desert, Corporal Voss attacked and destroyed an enemy medium machine-gun post and its crew with hand grenades. Later in the morning when our troops encountered enemy tanks, Corporal Voss, with hand grenades being thrown at him by the crew, attacked a tank with a pick to damage the tracks, but was driven back by heavy fire from two other tanks in the vicinity. He then moved out and brought in two wounded men under heavy fire from mortars and tank machine - guns. "
" During the whole of the attack Corporal Voss showed indifference to personal safety and led his men with determination and vigour"
"During the night on 22nd July, 1942, Corporal Voss's platoon attacked what at first first appeared to be a machine - gun post. On nearing the objective, six enemy tanks were encountered, supported by infantry. As the line of withdrawal was cut off by tank machine - gun fire, the attack was continued. Corporal Voss led his section against two tanks, and with the use of anti-tank grenades forced them to retire damaged. He also destroyed several of the enemy with hand grenades and forced the remainder to retire. When the order to retire was given, Corporal Voss rallied his section and brought them out intact"
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Excerpt from "Mates and Mayhem - World War II: Front line Kiwis Remember"
Alf Voss recovered from his wounds and took part in other operations, including the capture of Florence. He was awarded a Military Cross after the Cassino battles. His citation notes that although under sniper fire he visited every company every day. It reads:
"Throughout a period of ceaseless strain and danger, Lieutenant Voss showed a fearlessness, determination and devotion to duty beyond all praise. In an action where gallant deeds were many, his courage and resourcefulness stood out as a supreme example to his battalion. "
Alf Voss came home in January 1945. He was in the Army Reserve between 1945 and 1949, when he returned to the regular forces, serving in Malaya. His company was employed in long-range patrols culminating in a campaign in which the were used against communists operating in the jungle in northern Perak. His citation reads:
"In the middle of September, after six weeks of arduous patrolling, Major Voss was stricken with jungle fever, but refused to leave his men, whom he continued to lead cheerfully and skillfully."
The vigilance and tenacity of his company's patrol disrupted terrorists in the area to such an extent that shortly afterwards the first large scale communist surrender in Perak took place. Major Voss was posted to the reserve in 1965 and retired in 1970. He continued to work in the tourism industry.
