James Kira
Born 10 Mar 1920
- Service number
- WWII 801807 AWMM
- Also known as
- Hemi AWMM
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Last rank
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- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
Images
Documents
About birth
- Birth
- 10 Mar 1920 AWMM
- Date of birth
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- Place of birth
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- Birth notes
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- Address before enlistment
- WW2 Care of Vic. Shepherd, Kaeo R.D., New Zealand AWMM
- Post war occupation
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- Next of kin
- WW2 Mrs R. Kira (mother), Matauri Bay, New Zealand AWMM
- Relationship status
- Single AWMM
Wars and conflicts
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
- Campaign
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- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Service number
- WWII 801807 AWMM
- Military service
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- Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers
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Military decorations
- Medals and Awards
- Military Medal (MM) AWMM
18 Oct 1945 AWMM
"Pte. Kira, during the crossing of the Santerno River on 12 April 1945, found the crossing on his platoon front very deep. Without hesitation he swam across and, single-handed, destroyed two Spandau posts which were very close together. While engaged in dealing with these posts, he was fired upon by a sniper. Without thought for his personal safety he moved forward, located and destroyed the sniper post, by which time the rest of his platoon arrived and everyone moved forward to fight to the final objective. During this action this soldier displayed courage of the highest order and his conduct was an inspiration to his fellow soldiers. (London Gazette 18/10/1945 (I)) The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Kira, James. (Ref. WO 373/14/303). Military Medal. 18 Oct 1945 " 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 Labourer/Civilian AWMM
- Age on enlistment
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- Occupation before enlistment
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Embarkations
- Embarkation details
- WW2 Private AWMM 28 (Maori) Battalion, A Company 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
- Corporal J. Kira, MM; Matauri Bay, Kaeo; born NZ 10 Mar 1920; labourer. (Source: Cody, J.F. 28 Maori Battalion. p.464.)
'General Freyberg paid an unexpected visit to Battalion Headquarters and expressed his pleasure at the progress being made. He amused his hearers by saying that we had given the enemy his running shoes and that he was making good use of them. He was certain that the enemy had had all the fight he wanted, though there would still be a few major skirmishes before he threw in the towel. The troops were drawn back to a safe distance behind the barrage opening line, but a few minutes before the barrage started a low-flying fighter-bomber mistakenly dropped a 500-pound bomb in D Company's area. The men had hardly time to dive for cover before it exploded, causing three casualties, one fatal. Others were badly shaken by the blast but revived sufficiently to carry on with the company.
The barrage was to stand for twenty minutes on the opening line, but the forward platoons were within fifty yards of the storm of steel when the first lift came and they lined the old bank. It was very like going over the top in the trench warfare days of 1914–18; on the word of the platoon commanders the troops leaped as one man on to the top and down the far side. At the real stopbank the same procedure was adopted; the water was twelve feet wide, was muddy and looked deep; the leaders plunged in and waded forward—some had to swim, for wet or dry it was imperative to keep up with the barrage.
Private Jimmy Kira was first across and caught a spandau crew unawares; then he caught sight of another one and wiped that out also. By this time the rest of his section had arrived dripping and mud-covered. Again the troops lined the bank and, on the word of command, swept over the top. No. 7 Platoon (Lieutenant Rivers) found two bazooka crews and shot them in their trenches before they could do any harm. Kira was awarded an MM.' (Source: Cody, J.F. 28 Maori Battalion. p. 464.; Kay, R. Italy Volume II : From Cassino to Trieste. p. 431.) 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 graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.' (London Gazette, 18 October 1945, p.5102.). Military Medal.
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37310/supplements/5102
Further Reference - The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Kira, James. (Ref. WO 373/14/303). Military Medal.
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7355740
Further Reference
- 28th Maori Battalion Website 1941-1945
- References
- Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1945). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 14 (Embarkations from 1st April, 1944 to 31st December, 1944). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
WW2 14: WW2 53 - Cody, J. (1956). 28 (Maori) Battalion. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
p.464. - Kay, R. (1967). Italy. Volume 2. From Cassino to Trieste. Dept. of Internal Affairs, Historical Publications Branch, Wellington, N.Z.
p.431.
- Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1945). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 14 (Embarkations from 1st April, 1944 to 31st December, 1944). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
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