Michael Tolich
Ivan Lukashefski died in my father's arms on December 20 1944. They were both members of 24th Infantry Battalion 2nd NZEF. My father (Andy Tolich) was a stretcher bearer and it was his job to look after the wounded. Dad could not stop the bleeding and they were in a jeep and the driver of the jeep could not find the RAP station where they could get medical assistance. ivan bled to death and is buried in the Forli Cemetery in Italy.
My father used to take me as a child to the Auckland War Memorial Museum on show us Ivan's name on the wall in the Hall of Remeberance.
I think Dad regretted the fact that he could not save him. He carried that burden all his life
My son Robert (Andy's grandson) has been to Forli and has visited Ivan's grave.
He told Ivan about how his grandad felt. My father has passed on (four years ago)
We are all at peace now. I am sure that he and Ivan would have talked up there
We will remember them.
My father used to take me as a child to the Auckland War Memorial Museum on show us Ivan's name on the wall in the Hall of Remeberance.
I think Dad regretted the fact that he could not save him. He carried that burden all his life
My son Robert (Andy's grandson) has been to Forli and has visited Ivan's grave.
He told Ivan about how his grandad felt. My father has passed on (four years ago)
We are all at peace now. I am sure that he and Ivan would have talked up there
We will remember them.
