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Cenotaph record

Hirini Rapana

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Private Hirini Rapana 62938, of Parkhurst, Helensville, killed in action. Auckland Weekly News 4 November 1942. Sir George Grey Special Collection, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19421104-18-18

Private Hirini Rapana 62938, of Parkhurst, Helensville, killed in action. Auckland Weekly News 4 Nov …

Identity

About

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  • Title
  • Forenames
    Hirini AWMM
  • Surname
    Rapana AWMM
  • Ingoa
  • Also known as
  • Service number
    62938 AWMM
  • Gender
    Male AWMM
  • Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
    Iwi Māori, Māori AWMM
  • Religion

Civilian life

About birth

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  • Birth
  • Date of birth
    1916 Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 22 February 2023 - https://www.nzwargraves.org.nz/casualties/hirini-rapana
  • Place of birth
    NZ Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 22 February 2023 - https://www.nzwargraves.org.nz/casualties/hirini-rapana
  • Birth notes
    Son of Rihari Rapana and of Rina Rapana (nee Tautuhi), of Pouto, Northland Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 22 February 2023 - https://www.nzwargraves.org.nz/casualties/hirini-rapana
  • Address before enlistment
    Unknown AWMM C/o Kaipara Steamship Co., Helensville, New Zealand AWMM
  • Post war occupation
  • Next of kin on embarkation
    Mrs L. Rapana (mother), Parkhurst, Helensville, New Zealand AWMM
  • Relationship status
    Unknown AWMM Single AWMM

Service

Wars and conflicts

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  • War
    World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
  • Campaign
    Western Desert AWMM
  • Armed force / branch
    Army AWMM
  • Service number
    62938 AWMM
  • Military service
  • Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers

Military decorations

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Training and Enlistment

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  • Military training
  • Branch Trade Proficiency
  • Enlistment
    WW2 Seaman AWMM
    AWMM
  • Occupation before enlistment
  • Age on enlistment

Embarkations

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Prisoner of war

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  • Capture details
  • Days interned
  • Liberation date
  • Liberation Repatriation
  • POW liberation details
  • POW serial number

Medical history

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  • Medical notes
    Killed in Action, Cause of Death AWMM

Last known rank

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Biographical information

Biographical information

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  • Hirini Rapana was the son of Rihari Rapana and of Rina Rapana (nee Tautuhi), of Pouto, Auckland, New Zealand. AWMM

Death

About death

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  • Death
    4 September 1942 AWMM
    Age 26 AWMM
    Western Desert, North Africa AWMM
  • Date of death
  • Age at death
  • Place of death
  • Cause of death
    Killed in Action AWMM
  • Death notes
  • Cemetery
    El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt AWMM VIII. J. 10. AWMM
  • Cemetery name
  • Grave reference
  • Obituary
  • Memorial name
  • Memorial reference

Memorials

Memorial

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  • Memorial name
    • Auckland War Memorial Museum, World War 2 Hall of Memories AWMM
    • Kaipara Memorial RSA, 49 Commercial Road, Helensville, New Zealand AWMM
    • Roll of Honour, Northern Wairoa RSA, Dargaville AWMM

Roll of Honour

Remember Hirini Rapana by laying a poppy.

Leave a note

Leave a tribute or memory of Hirini Rapana

Leave a note

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  • Kia ora Papa Hirini,
    My name is Awhina and I am your great granddaughter. My papas name is Hirini Puhia Richards, son of Hana Rapana and Reo Tahi Richards. I am truly grateful for what you have done for us. I wish I had learnt about you when I was younger, I was told but never really understood until now. I will promise you that your name in our family will live on forever and for all generations to come. You are an inspiration and even thou I have not met you I can say that knowing about you has bought warmth to my heart and soul. Lovez up xxx
    Public - awhina-whetu - Direct descendant - 20 June 2018
    Report 
  • Kia ora Papa Hirini, I am the grand daughter of your older brother Maungarongo Bail Rapana who also was a soldier served in the K.Force Courien War.. you all a heroes and we a sooo proud of use.. Id just like to say.. a huge thank you for what you done for us Papa Hirini, you are and will always be our HERO.. Would have been lovely to have met you.. Agan thank you Love you xox!!
    Public - Moana - Other relative - 21 January 2017
    Report 

Sources

Sources

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  • External links
  • References
    • Auckland Museum. Roll of Honour, Auckland Province, 1939 - 1945. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 93/139. AWMM
    • Cody, J. (1956). 28 (Maori) Battalion. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch. AWMM
    • Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1941). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 4 (Embarkations from 1st April, 1941 to 30 June, 1941). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer. AWMM
      WW2 4: WW2 291 AWMM

Contributors

Command item
Command item
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DateFirst namesLocationRelationshipContact
22 February 2023Lorraine Mona Gisborne Researcher
20 June 2018awhina-whetuwhangareiDirect descendant
21 January 2017MoanawhangareiOther relative
23 September 2015Lorraine MGisborne, NZResearcher

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