Jacob Awarangi

Private 817560 · D Company, 28th (Māori) Battalion · Later served in Japan with Jayforce Early life Whai Robinson came from Iwitea, near Wairoa, where he worked as a labourer before he enlisted. He was single, and his next of kin was his father, Mr J. Robinson of North Clyde, Wairoa. War Whai served as…

Private 817819 · D Company, 28th (Māori) Battalion · Jayforce, Japan 1946–48 Early life Tui Korero Akurangi, known as Tu, was born in Gisborne on 21 November 1923, the son of Paraki Patutahi Akurangi and Ramari Ratapu. He grew up at Māhia, and when he enlisted he was working as a labourer, with his uncle,…

Private 817526 · D Company, 28th (Māori) Battalion · 11th Reinforcements, 1944 Kara is a different man from Private K. Aranui of Rotorua, who climbed Takrouna with Haane Manahi in 1943. Early life Karaitiana (Kara) Aranui was born at Mohaka, in northern Hawke’s Bay, on 9 March 1924, the son of Iriapa Aranui and Rihi…

Private 39584 · D Company, 28th (Māori) Battalion · Killed in action, Crete, 23 May 1941 Early life Nirai Nepe Apatu was born in 1911 at Takapau, in Central Hawke’s Bay, the son of Hori Reremoana Nepe-Apatu and Pae Te Popo Winiata. He was single and working as a labourer, and his aunt, Mrs Ngaroma…

Private 68368 · D Company, 28th (Māori) Battalion · Italy 1944–45 Early life Michael (Mike) Bartlett came from Te Aute, in Central Hawke’s Bay, and his mother, Mrs E. Bartlett of Opapa, was his next of kin. He was working as a labourer, and by the time he enlisted he had already lost his wife….

Private 456511 · D Company, 28th (Māori) Battalion · Italy 1944–45 Early life Charles Donald Richard Barrett, known as Don, was born on 21 January 1923 and grew up in Dannevirke, the son of Charles David Barrett and Maisie Myrtle Beatrice Barrett (née Howard). His whānau is Kāi Tahu and Ngā Iwi o Tākitimu. He…