Te Kapunga Harawira
Born 27 Oct 1909
- Service number
- WWII 25859 AWMM
- Also known as
- Bully AWMM
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Last rank
- WW2 Warrant Officer Class 2 AWMM 28 (Maori) Battalion, B Company AWMM
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
Images
Documents
About birth
- Birth
- 27 Oct 1909 AWMM
- Date of birth
- —
- Place of birth
- —
- Birth notes
- Son of Hohepa Joseph & Isabella Ihipera HARAWIRAPublic - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 10 August 2026 - https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/9WQG-P5V/te-kapunga-bully-harawira-1909-1991
- Address before enlistment
- WW2 Unknown AWMM Poroporo, Whakatane, New Zealand AWMM
- Post war occupation
- —
- Next of kin
- WW2 Mr F. Harawira (brother), Tauranga, New Zealand AWMM
- Relationship status
- Unknown AWMM Single/WWII AWMM
- Te Kapunga HARAWIRA married Tapaeru Pita ENUAPublic - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 10 August 2026 - https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/9WQG-P5V/te-kapunga-bully-harawira-1909-1991
Wars and conflicts
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
- Campaign
- —
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Service number
- WWII 25859 AWMM
- Military service
- —
- Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers
- —
Military decorations
- Medals and Awards
- Military Medal (MM) AWMM
14 Oct 1943 AWMM
During the attack of 23 October 1942 at Miteiriya this soldier who was then a platoon sergeant displayed qualities of leadership that greatly inspired his men. During one period his whole platoon came under heavy mortar fire which caused serious casualties. WOII Harawira went about his duty maintaining the momentum of the advance as though nothing was happening. Frequently enemy light machine guns forced his men to the ground but he was always found on his feet encouraging his men and directing the fire his light machine-guns. Throughout the advance he was tirelessly aggressive, personally rushing to the direction of strongest enemy fire to lead his men. His courage and personal example all actions that he has taken part in - Greece, Crete and all Libya's - has always been a source of inspiration to his men. (London Gazette 14/10/1943) The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Harawira, Te Kapunga. (Ref. WO 373/26/245). Military Medal. 14 Oct 1943 AWMM - War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
- New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM
- Military Medal (MM) AWMM
Training and Enlistment
- Military training
- —
- Branch Trade Proficiency
- —
- Enlistment
- WW2 Unknown AWMM Labourer/Civilian AWMM
- Age on enlistment
- —
- Occupation before enlistment
- —
Embarkations
- Embarkation details
- WW2 Private AWMM 28 (Maori) Battalion, B Company AWMM Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force AWMM
Prisoner of war
- Capture details
- —
- Days interned
- —
- Liberation date
- —
- POW liberation details
- —
- Liberation Repatriation
- —
- POW serial number
- —
Medical history
- Medical notes
- —
Last known rank
- Last rank
- WW2 Warrant Officer Class 2 AWMM
28 (Maori) Battalion, B Company AWMM - Last rank
- —
Biographical information
- Biographical information
- —
About death
- 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
- —
Memorial
- Memorial name
- —
Sources
- External links
- 28th Maori Battalion Website 1941-1945
http://www.28maoribattalion.org.nz/
Sources Used - 28th Maori Battalion Website 1941-1945. Personal page
http://www.28maoribattalion.org.nz/soldier/te-kapunga-harawira
Sources Used - Cody, J. (1956). 28 (Maori) Battalion. Wellington: Dept. of Internal Affairs, War History Branch. Digital copy.
https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/webarchive/20210104000423/http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Maor.html
Further Reference - 'The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East.' (London Gazette, 14 October 1943, p.4548.). Military Medal.
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36209/supplements/4548
Further Reference - The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Harawira, Te Kapunga. (Ref. WO 373/26/245). Military Medal.
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7362218
Further Reference
- 28th Maori Battalion Website 1941-1945
- References
- 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.
WW2 3: WW2 195 - Gardiner, W. (2019). Ake ake kia kaha e! : Forever brave! : B Company 28 (Maori) Battalion, 1939-1945. Auckland : Bateman Books.
- Cody, J. (1956). 28 (Maori) Battalion. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
- McClymont, W. (1959). To Greece. Wellington, N.Z.: Department Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
- Davin, D. (1953). Crete. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
- 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.
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