A British Army veteran who fought with New Zealand troops in one of the bloodiest battles of World War 2 will be representing his comrades who fell at Monte Cassino at Sunday's Remembrance Parade in London.
Thousands of old soldiers, sailors, airmen, civilians and their families will be gathering -- at the equivalent of New Zealand's Anzac Day -- around the national Cenotaph in Whitehall to remember those who didn't come home.
Among them will be Harry Launder, 85, who will be marching for those who fought and died in the Monte Cassino campaign 65 years ago, the South Wales Evening Post reported.Mr Launder served with the Royal Signals during the war, and was attached to the 2nd New Zealand Division at the time of the battle.
The allied army needed control of a Benedictine monastery which dominated the town and the Liri Valley from its position on top of Monte Cassino.The Germans were finally thrown off the mountain on May 17, 1944, by Polish and British troops after two futile attacks which cost 343 New Zealand lives.
"It is going to be a very moving day -- it will bring back so many memories," Mr Launder said."The fighting was terrible, and there were tremendous casualties.
"On Sunday we will be remembering all those who made the ultimate sacrifice."
