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Cenotaph record

Dick Alex

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Identity

About

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  • Title
  • Forenames
    Dick AWMM
  • Surname
    Alex AWMM
  • Ingoa
  • Also known as
  • Service number
    67608 AWMM
  • Gender
    Male AWMM
  • Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
    Iwi Māori, Māori AWMM
  • Religion

Civilian life

About birth

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  • Birth
    15 March 1905 AWMM AWMM
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Birth notes
  • Address before enlistment
    Unknown AWMM Toetoe, Whangarei, North Auckland, New Zealand AWMM
  • Post war occupation
  • Next of kin on embarkation
    Mrs R.W. Alex (wife), Toetoe, Whangarei, North Auckland, New Zealand AWMM
  • Relationship status
    Unknown AWMM Married AWMM

Service

Wars and conflicts

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  • War
    World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
  • Campaign
  • Armed force / branch
    Army AWMM
  • Service number
    67608 AWMM
  • Military service
  • Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers

Military decorations

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  • Medals and Awards
    • Military Medal (MM) AWMM
      3 August 1944 AWMM
      During the attack on CASSINO, Italy, on the night of 19-20 March 1944, Lance Corporal Alex displayed outstanding bravery and devotion to duty. Working under heavy enemy fire he dressed all casualties and his complete disregard for personal safety not only saved many lives but was an inspiration to his fellow workers. The following morning, after having worked all night, he volunteered to accompany a patrol into enemy territory and again under heavy fire he dressed the wounded, often in full view and close proximity to the enemy. Owing to his personal bravery and fine work throughout the entire action he was instrumental in saving many lives and in alleviating the suffering of the wounded. (Source: The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Alex, Dick. (Ref. WO 373/7/126). Military Medal. AWMM
    • War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
    • New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM

Training and Enlistment

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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

Last known rank

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  • Last rank

Biographical information

Biographical information

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Death

About death

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  • Death
    3 February 1956 AWMM
    Whangarei, Northland AWMM
  • 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

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  • Memorial name

Roll of Honour

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Leave a note

Leave a tribute or memory of Dick Alex

Leave a note

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  • Tena Koe, I am researching the whakapapa of Matauranga Riiki Areka, son of Dick Alex, in support of Warren Alexander, son of Matauranga Riiki Areka. There is an image of Dick Alex posted to the Maori Battalion site and Warren is a splitting image of Dick Alex. Warren is returning his mums ashes to Utakura on the 14th Feb 2016. Enroute he stopped at Whangarei to visit the urupa of his dad, he now wants his dads whakapapa. The trail ends with Dick Alex and we wish to know your story. moe moe ra toku tipuna
    Public - Serena Maia Hoengarangi - Self - 3 February 2016
    Report 

Sources

Sources

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  • 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.
      http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Maor.htm
      Further Reference
    • 'The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.' (London Gazette, 3 August 1944, p.3605.). Military Medal.
      http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36637/supplements/3605
      Further Reference
    • 'During the attack on CASSINO, Italy, on the night of 19-20 March 1944, Lance Corporal Alex displayed outstanding bravery and devotion to duty. Working under heavy enemy fire he dressed all casualties and his complete disregard for personal safety not only saved many lives but was an inspiration to his fellow workers. The following morning, after having worked all night, he volunteered to accompany a patrol into enemy territory and again under heavy fire he dressed the wounded, often in full view and close proximity to the enemy. Owing to his personal bravery and fine work throughout the entire action he was instrumental in saving many lives and in alleviating the suffering of the wounded.'. (Source: The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Alex, Dick. (Ref. WO 373/7/126). Military Medal.
      http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7350754
      Further Reference
  • References
    • Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1942). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 5 (Embarkations from 1st July, 1941 to 30 September, 1941). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer. AWMM
      WW2 5: WW2 7 AWMM
    • Cody, J. (1956). 28 (Maori) Battalion. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch. AWMM

Contributors

Command item
Command item
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DateFirst namesLocationRelationshipContact
03 February 2016Serena Maia HoengarangiFremantle AustraliaSelf

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