condensed discuss document expanded export feedback print share remove reset document_white enquire_white export_white report_white

Cenotaph record

Charles Titirahi Apihai

Lay a poppy
Taken before Charlie left

Charlie and his cousin Irihapeti Hunia

Image may be subject to copyright restrictions. [email protected]

Identity

About

Contribute ›

Civilian life

About birth

Contribute ›
  • Birth
    17 December 1917 AWMM Te Teko, Eastern Bay of Plenty AWMM
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Birth notes
  • Address before enlistment
    Unknown AWMM Awakeri, New Zealand AWMM
  • Post war occupation
  • Next of kin on embarkation
    Mr T. Apihai (father), Te Teko, New Zealand AWMM
  • Relationship status
    Unknown AWMM Single AWMM

Service

Wars and conflicts

Contribute ›
  • War
    World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
  • Campaign
  • Armed force / branch
    Army AWMM
  • Service number
    25807 AWMM
  • Military service
  • Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers

Military decorations

Contribute ›
  • Medals and Awards
    • Military Medal (MM) AWMM
      17 June 1943 AWMM
      This soldier was responsible for the saving of three lives during the attack of 26 March 1943 on Point 209. His company had been forced to ground by intense machine-gun fire leaving three wounded men in no-mans land completely exposed to enemy fire. Entirely on his own initiative and regardless of his own personal safety, Pte. Apihai calmly left the safety of his own trench on three occasions and each time he carried back a wounded man to safety, in the face of withering fire. His courage and actions were of the highest order. London Gazette, June 1943, p. 2762 New Zealand Gazette, September 1944, p. 1146 AWMM
    • War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
    • New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM

Training and Enlistment

Contribute ›
  • Military training
  • Branch Trade Proficiency
  • Enlistment
    WW2 Unknown AWMM Labourer/Civilian AWMM
  • Occupation before enlistment
  • Age on enlistment

Prisoner of war

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

Medical history

Contribute ›
  • Medical notes

Last known rank

Contribute ›
  • Last rank

Biographical information

Biographical information

Contribute ›

Death

About death

Contribute ›
  • Death
  • Date of death
  • Age at death
  • Place of death
  • Cause of death
  • Death notes
  • Cemetery
  • Cemetery name
  • Grave reference
  • Obituary
  • Memorial name
  • Memorial reference

Memorials

Memorial

Contribute ›
  • Memorial name

Roll of Honour

Remember Charles Titirahi Apihai by laying a poppy.

Leave a note

Leave a tribute or memory of Charles Titirahi Apihai

Leave a note

Contribute ›
  • This is my Koro. I never got the opportunity to meet him as he passed away before I was born. I am the only child & daughter of his last born daughter, Colleen Apihai.
    To hear of his amazing contributions to the war and about how dedicated he was to his HUGE family of 13 children and my Nanny, Rangi Maharara Tewhetu Manihera, I wish I got to share in knowing him.
    Can’t wait to have a korero & get to know him on the other side ❤️
    Public - Chloe Ngairee Meredith - Direct descendant - 26 April 2022
    Report 
  • My father is named after Koro Charles.

    My dad is Jimmy Charles Patangata.
    His mother was Puhinahina Titirahi Apihai, who was the sister of Charles.

    Rest in peace our Koroua.

    Arohatinonui
    Public - Melany Leigh - Other relative - 1 October 2018
    Report 
  • Rest peacefully uncle with our mama waimatoa and all our whanau who have passed. Wish I had met you all more so our mama. Arohamai xox..
    Public - josephine karena - Other Relative - 3 August 2015
    Report 

Sources

Sources

Contribute ›
  • External links
  • References
    • Sutherland, J. (1989). Gallantry awards to New Zealanders in World War Two. Christchurch, N.Z.: Regal Medals. AWMM
    • Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1941). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 3 (Embarkations from 1st July, 1940 to 31st March, 1941). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer. AWMM
      WW2 3: WW2 13 AWMM
    • Gardiner, W. (2019). Ake ake kia kaha e! : Forever brave! : B Company 28 (Maori) Battalion, 1939-1945. Auckland : Bateman Books. AWMM
    • Cody, J. (1956). 28 (Maori) Battalion. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch. AWMM

Contributors

Command item
Command item
Add new record Refresh
DateFirst namesLocationRelationshipContact
26 April 2022Chloe Ngairee MeredithMelbourne, AustraliaDirect descendant
25 April 2020KeldWhakataneOther relative
01 October 2018Melany LeighKawerau, New ZealandOther relative
03 August 2015josephine karenaauckland new zealandOther Relative

The development of the Online Cenotaph is an ongoing process; updates, new images and records are added weekly. In some cases, records have yet to be confirmed by Museum staff, and there could be mistakes or omissions in the information provided.

Creative Commons LicenseOnline Cenotaph Data by Auckland War Memorial Museum is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.