Ihaia Weepu
Born 19 Dec 1910
- Service number
- 26089 AWMM
- Also known as
- —
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Last rank
- —
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
Images
Documents
About birth
- Birth
- 19 Dec 1910 AWMM
- Date of birth
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- Place of birth
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- Birth notes
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- Address before enlistment
- Unknown AWMM Arahura Rural Mail Delivery, New Zealand AWMM
- Post war occupation
- —
- Next of kin
- Mrs C.H. Weepu (wife), care of Post-office, Ngaruawahia, New Zealand AWMM
- Relationship status
- Unknown AWMM Married AWMM
Wars and conflicts
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
- Campaign
- —
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Service number
- 26089 AWMM
- Military service
- —
- Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers
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Military decorations
- Medals and Awards
- Military Medal (MM) AWMM
22 Jul 1943 AWMM
Sgt. Weepu displayed outstanding gallantry and coolness under heavy enemy shell, mortar and machine-gun fire during the attack on Takrouna Fort on the night of 19/20 April 1943. Throughout the action he aided his platoon commander greatly in directing the fire of his men and in personally attack enemy machine-gun posts and putting them out of action. After his company had consolidated, Sgt. Weepu with three other men from his platoon then went to the assistance of the remnants of B Company in Takrouna village and took part in the bitter and fierce fighting which culminated in the capture of the village and the taking of over three hundred prisoners. This soldier displayed courage and leadership of the highest quality. (London Gazette 22/7/1943 (I)) The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Weepu, Thaia. (Ref. WO 373/25/460). Military Medal. AWMM - War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
- New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM
- Military Medal (MM) AWMM
Training and Enlistment
- Military training
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- Branch Trade Proficiency
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- Enlistment
- WW2 Unknown AWMM Labourer/Civilian AWMM
- Age on enlistment
- —
- Occupation before enlistment
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Embarkations
- Embarkation details
- WW2 Corporal/Military AWMM 28 (Maori) Battalion AWMM Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force AWMM
Prisoner of war
- Capture details
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- Days interned
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- Liberation date
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- POW liberation details
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- Liberation Repatriation
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- POW serial number
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Medical history
- Medical notes
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Last known rank
- Last rank
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- Last rank
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Biographical information
- WO II I. Weepu, MM; Wellington; born NZ 19 Dec 1910; labourer; twice wounded. (Source: Cody, J.F. 21 Battalion. p.261.)
'Hirst took over from Shaw and, while the platoons were fighting a 50-yard duel with the enemy, firing through loopholes in their stone forts against their adversaries on rooftops and behind doorways, Manahi and 13 Maori volunteers rejoined the garrison. The Maori sergeant and the pakeha lieutenant discussed the problem of winning back the pinnacle, and decided that two parties, one from each battalion, advancing from different directions would attempt to rush the buildings. It was also decided to soften the opposition before the attempt, and Manahi tried to get the 28 Battalion mortars on the flat below to range on the pinnacle, but the distance was too great. Captain Harding, forward observation officer 5 Field Regiment, had arrived by this time to set up an observation post, and suggested sniping with a 25-pounder. There was no room for mistakes with less than fifty yards between the parties, but it was decided to give it a go. There was some fine artillery shooting as, step by step, the range was lifted up the hill, until finally three shells were landed slap onto the target. The parties commanded by Corporal Worthington and Sergeant Weepu worked cautiously to within thirty yards of their objective, then rushed the buildings. They returned very puzzled indeed, for there was no enemy except a dead Italian. The mystery was explained when a rope was found dangling over the precipice, showing the way the enemy had come and gone. WO II I. Weepu, MM; Wellington; born NZ 19 Dec 1910; labourer; twice wounded.' (Source: Cody, J.F. 21 Battalion. p. 261.) AWMM
About death
- Death
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- Date of death
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- Age at death
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- Place of death
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- Cause of death
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- Death notes
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- Cemetery
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- Cemetery name
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- Grave reference
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- Obituary
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- Memorial name
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- Memorial reference
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Memorial
- Memorial name
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Sources
- External links
- 28th Maori Battalion Website 1941-1945
http://www.28maoribattalion.org.nz/
Further Reference - 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 pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East.' (London Gazette, 22 July 1943, p.3315.). Military Medal.
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36102/pages/3315
Further Reference - The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Weepu, Thaia. (Ref. WO 373/25/460). Military Medal.
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7361679
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 504 - 21 Battalion
(Official history of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939-45)
p.261. - Cody, J. (1956). 28 (Maori) Battalion. 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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