John Denvir (soldier)

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 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.

The Denvir family moved in New Zealand in 1925 and he completed his education at a Marist Brothers school in Christchurch.

[1] On the outbreak of the Second World War, Denvir enlisted in the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force (2NZEF), being raised for service aboard.

[3] The next several months were spent training in Egypt but in March 1941, the division was one of a number of Allied formations sent to Greece to assist in the defence of the country.

While most were eventually evacuated from alternative sites to the west of Athens, Denvir was among those who were captured and made prisoners of war.

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.

On his recovery, he worked with a British organisation providing equipment and supplies to the partisans before rejoining the 2nd New Zealand Division.

[1] For his actions during an attack mounted by the partisans on a train in August the previous year, Denvir was recommended for the Distinguished Service Medal (DCM) by a British liaison officer working with the Yugoslavs.

[10] 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.

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.