John Denvir

John Denvir, DCM (5 May 1913 – 11 March 1973) was a New Zealand soldier who fought in the Second World War with the Yugoslav partisans. He was a recipient of the Soviet Medal for Valor, the only New Zealand soldier of the Second World War to be honoured in this way.

Born in Scotland, Denvir's family emigrated to New Zealand when he was a boy. On the outbreak of the war, he enlisted in the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force (2NZEF) for service in the conflict. Made a prisoner of war during the Battle of Greece, he was held in a camp in Yugoslavia from April 1941. He escaped in December and linked up with Yugoslav partisans. He became a leader in the partisans' activities against the occupying German forces and was later awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions during an attack on a train. His services with the partisans resulted in him being awarded the Soviet Medal for Valor. Wounded several times during his service with the partisans, he was repatriated to New Zealand in June 1944. He was discharged from the 2NZEF in September 1944. He later operated a taxi business and died in 1973.

Early life John Denvir was born on 5 May 1913 in Glasgow, Scotland, to Michael Joseph Denvir, a dock worker, and his wife Jeanie . The Denvir family moved in New Zealand in 1925 and he completed his education at a Marist Brothers school in Christchurch. He then became a farm worker but was later employed as a storeman in Christchurch. In June 1934, he married Edna ; the couple had four children.

Second World War On the outbreak of the Second World War, Denvir enlisted in the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force (2NZEF), being raised for service aboard. and as a result, a death certificate had been issued. His employer had been making regular payments into a bank account set up for him while he was on active service and this paid out £100 to his wife on the announcement of his death. By January 1943, it had become known that he was alive and serving with the partisans; his employer resumed making payments into his bank account. The same month, he was awarded the Soviet Medal for Valour. The recommendation, based on his service in Yugoslavia with the partisans, was made by Soviet liaison officers attached to the headquarters of Marshal Josip Tito. Denvir was the first and only New Zealand soldier of the war to be recognised with this award.

He was sent back to New Zealand on furlough, arriving in June 1944. Initially passed as fit for a return to duty with the 2nd New Zealand Division, his status was later downgraded and he was considered unfit for active service. In September he was discharged from the 2NZEF. He was invested with the Soviet Medal for Valour by Brigadier E. Rowlings, the commander of the Southern Military District, in a ceremony at Burnham Military Camp on 14 December.

Later life Returning to civilian life, he went into partnership in a taxi business, operating in Temuka. He later lived in Christchurch and then Blenheim. He made at least two visits to Eastern Europe; one in 1955 to Slovenia during which he was invested with a number of Yugoslav awards for his war service there and received an honorary promotion to major in the Yugoslav Army. The second visit was in 1967, for a reunion of the battalion he led during the war. He died on 11 March 1973 in Blenheim, survived by his wife and children.