David Tevita Loma
David Tevita Loma's Military Service record states that he was the Assistant Harbour Master for the Tongan Government when he enlisted in May 1916. Loma was born in Nuku'alofa on 7 June 1893. Researcher Christine Liava'a has identified 91 men born or living in Tonga (including Loma) "as having served in World War I, and three were Reservists" (2011, p.9).
An article in the Auckland Star references his enlistment. "An extraordinary thing about the recruiting at the Victoria Street station since early yesterday afternoon is that only six of the 39 applicants who were examined where accepted. Up till two o'clock this afternoon all those who had passed through the hands of the medical and dental officers had been either deferred or rejected. The doctor passed three men as fit, but these all failed to satisfy the dental examiner, and they were accordingly deferred. This is unprecedented in the history of the recruiting office."
Loma (or Lomu) is listed in the article under his Tongan name Tevita, and he signed his enlistment form with this name. However, like many Pacific and Māori servicemen, his name was Anglicised throughout the rest of the document. This has made identifying some service people quite problematic. That is why adding a person's alternative names to the Also Known field in their Online Cenotaph record can help to clarify the identity of an individual.
Loma enlisted as part of the 7th Reinforcements, Māori Contingent embarking on the SS Aparima in August 1916, alongside another Tongan born service man John Harper. He served in Western Europe throughout 1916, 1917 and 1918.
Loma was transferred to the Rarotongan Company during 1918.
He returned to New Zealand on 14 December 1918. Loma was ordered to report as an in-patient at the Somes Islands Hospital (now known as Matiu Island, Wellington) on 28 January 1919. He was authorised to receive treatment - most likely for influenza.
References
Liava'a, C. (2011). Koe Kau To'a Na'anau Poletu: valiant volunteers - soldiers from Tonga in the Great War. Auckland, NZ: Polygraphia.
http://tongainworldwar1.webs.com/nominalroll.htm
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