Hundreds of people gathered in the small south Canterbury town of Waimate on Wednesday to farewell one of New Zealand's most celebrated soldiers.
Eric Batchelor, who was twice awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, died on Saturday at the age of 89.
He was the only New Zealander to win the DCM and then the Bar for his service during World War II.
Nearly 100 army soldiers joined other mourners to farewell Eric Batchelor with full military honours.
They heard of a man who showed extreme bravery but also humanity on the battlefield, including holding a German soldier he had taken prisoner by the hand because he was young and scared.
They also heard of a man who was much loved by his family and the community of Waimate, where he was born and where he returned after the war to run a dairy and drive a taxi.
