Amos Hunter served with the 27th (Machine Gun) Battalion of the New Zealand Army and was lost in theretrat through Greece in front of the invading German army in 1941. The Official History of the 27th has this to report about his death:
"The machine-gun battalion (apart from 3 and 4 Companies) left its bivouac area north of Atalandi and rejoined the Division on the 20th, after an absence of over three weeks. The convoy was bombed and strafed while pulling into an olive grove near Cape Knimis. The attack lasted six hours. Sergeant-Major HunterPAGE 69 and Private Comer were killed and two others wounded, but it was surprising that casualties were so few. The men, remaining concealed as best they could all afternoon, were unable to dig slit trenches until darkness fell, when they set to work with a will."
Many were the expressions of regret when it became known that Warrant Officer Amos Dowell Hunter had made the supreme sacrifice in the Middle East. He was the first enlistment from Kumara, being at the time of his enlisting a popular official in the local Post Office, where he proved to be a very capable and courteous officer. His many friends here will sympathise with his wife and parents. -Grey River Argus, 13/5/1941.
Four years later it was the German army's turn to retreat under enemy air superiority. Little comfort, of course, for Amos' wife and family.
HUNTER: In loving memory of W.O. 11. Amos Dowell Hunter, killed in action in the Middle East, April 20, 1941.
Resting where no shadows fall.
Inserted by his loving wife.
HUNTER: Amos (Moss) W.)0.II., lovingly remembered. April 20 1941. -Greymouth Evening Star, 20/4/1943.
ROLL OF HONOUR.
HUNTER: W.O. 11. Amos Dowell Hunter, killed in action, April 20, 1941.
A loving smile, a happy face, A broken link I can never replace.
Inserted by his loving -wife, Ella.
HUNTER: In loving memory of Warrant Officer Amos Dowell Hunter, killed in action, Greece, April 20, 1941.
Remembrance. -Greymouth Evening Star, 20/4/1944.
ROLL OF HONOUR
HUNTER. — In loving memory of 7651 W.O.2 Amos Dowell Hunter, killed in action in Greece on April 20, 1941.
“In Peaceful Rest” -Greymouth Evening Star, 20/4/1949.
Hokitika Camatery.
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