28th Maori Battalion
“I cannot express either in words or thought just how appreciative I am of what you have provided – it is definitely a work of detail and information that will not only help towards the writing of the “A” Company history but also a source to which families can utilise in their research of their ancestor[s].”
– Pita Paraone – Esteemed Ngati Hine kaumatua. An honourable leader and tireless worker for his people.
[Rest in Peace, Pita! I will miss our chats and your infectious enthusiasm for the Freedom’s Call project and the Northlanders’ 28 Maori Roll now in existence].
I have crosschecked all ‘Northlanders’ who served with the 28th Maori Batallion who also appear on the rolls and the Cenotaph database, to the rolls on the Maori Battalion website.
In a couple of instances I found entries of men who had served with the 28th Maori, 15th Reinforcements or J-Force, who were not on the Cenotaph database.
I have placed any relevant notes, comment or biographical content on that site in the ‘Details’ section of the spreadsheet, along with details of other immediate family members who may have served, whether with 28 Maori, or not. These family members have been highlighted in blue. – Column AO.
Members of the Maori Battalion in the Western Desert, North Africa, during World War II. New Zealand. Department of Internal Affairs. War History Branch :Photographs relating to World War 1914-1918, World War 1939-1945, occupation of Japan, Korean War, and Malayan Emergency. Ref: 1/4-019181-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22806349
“Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.”
Some of the notes and comments on the Maori Battalion website have been submitted by whanau and friends, and so in most instances have not been independently verified.
A point I would make, is that as with the Cenotaph database, content is continually being added to the roll on the Maori Battalion website, so I would recommend you always check it, just in case some additional information has come to hand, since I have written this.
Many of the pages there also contain narrative and photos from family and local sources.
Do note that as regards these servicemen, there are sometimes photos found on the Cenotaph database and not on the Maori Battalion website, but also often vice versa; photos on the Maori Battalion website but not on the Cenotaph database. So, if you are seeking photos, always check both sites.
I understand that a series of projects are underway as regards A-Company Maori Battalion. I have supplied a list to some of the organisers, of all known to have served with 28 Maori, who feature on the 2nd N.Z.E.F. Freedoms Call Roll of Honour. Hopefully that will go some way to assist them in identifying those who served with A-Company. I was also able to access some of the information on A Company soldiers, on a recent visit to the Te Rau Aroha Maori Battalion museum .
A second visit is likely later this year, or early next year.
This 28 Maori Battalion Roll can be downloaded here:
IMPORTANT NEWS UPDATE:
A new book about 28 Maori Battalion’s A Company, is in the pipeline. Stay tuned ..