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 68367 · D Company, 28th (Māori) Battalion · Wounded, Italy 1943 Early life Hiko Andrew was born on 26 November 1919 and lived in the Waitai Valley, near Wairoa. His family say he enlisted at Wairoa while still under age. By the time he sailed he was married to Beulah, who lived in Hastings,…
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 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 817527 · D Company, 28th (Māori) Battalion · Italy 1944–45 Early life Jacob Awarangi was born in about 1918 and lived in Waihirire Road, Wairoa. He was married, and his wife, Mrs M. Awarangi, lived at the same address. He was working as a labourer when he enlisted. War Jacob’s service number sits between…
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…
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 817528 · D Company, 28th (Māori) Battalion · Italy 1944–45 Early life Thomas (Tom) Bartlett was from Mohaka, in northern Hawke’s Bay. He was married, and his wife, Mrs L. Bartlett, lived at Mohaka. He was working as a labourer when he enlisted. War Tom’s service number runs straight on from those of Kara…
Staff Sergeant 62933 · D Company, 28th (Māori) Battalion · 1941–45 Early life David Brown Wesley Beattie, known as Brown, was born in 1918, a son of Te Waaka Piripi Beattie and Heeni (Kui) Eruera of North Clyde, Wairoa. His whānau is Ngāti Kahungunu. Before the war he worked for the Tarawera Timber Company in…
Private 62645 · D Company, 28th (Māori) Battalion · Died of wounds, Libya, 14 December 1941 Early life Te Moana Nui a Kiwa Beattie, known as Moana, was born in about 1919 and grew up at Kiwi Road, Wairoa. He was a son of Te Waaka Piripi Beattie and Heeni (Kui) Eruera, and his whānau…