Joseph Whakekura Mataira
Born 20 Dec 1914
- Service number
- WWII 802053 AWMM
- Also known as
- —
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Last rank
- —
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
Images
Documents
About birth
- Birth
- 20 Dec 1914 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 Ngongotaha, New Zealand AWMM
- Post war occupation
- —
- Next of kin
- WW2 Mrs K.T. Mataira (wife), Porangahu, New Zealand AWMM
- Relationship status
- Pre 21 Jul 1943 AWMM Married AWMM
Wars and conflicts
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
- Campaign
- —
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Service number
- WWII 802053 AWMM
- Military service
- 2nd Maori Battalion AWMM
- Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers
- —
Military decorations
- Medals and Awards
- Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) AWMM
"In the attack on Cassino on the night 18/19 March, Sgt. Mataira displayed outstanding initiative and determination. He led his platoon in the attack on the western side of the town, engaged in a hand-to-hand struggle with the enemy of whom he killed at least two, and then became cut-off from his men and was taken prisoner behind a wall guarding an enemy position. Completely disregarding his own safety, and despite having already been wounded, he repeatedly called out to his men to hurl grenades over the wall. They finally complied, wounding several of Sgt Mataira's captors and scattering them. Sgt Mataira then picked up a Thompson sub-machine gun and accounted for two more of the enemy before rejoining his men. (London Gazette 3/8/1944 (I))" AWMM - War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
- New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM
- Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) AWMM
Training and Enlistment
- Military training
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- Branch Trade Proficiency
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- Enlistment
- WW2 Truck Driver/Civilian AWMM
- Age on enlistment
- —
- Occupation before enlistment
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Embarkations
- Embarkation details
- WW2 Vessel was Nieuw Amsterdam AWMM Sergeant AWMM 28 (Maori) Battalion, D 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
- Biographical information
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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 - Paterson, Lachy. (24 October 2020). The forgotten Maori Battalion. maorihomefront.nz
https://www.maorihomefront.nz/en/whanau-stories/the-forgotten-maori-battalion/
Further Reference
- 28th Maori Battalion Website 1941-1945
- References
- Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1945). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 12 (Embarkations from 1st July, 1943 to 31st December, 1943). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
WW2 12: WW2 131 - Cody, J. (1956). 28 (Maori) Battalion. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
- Ko te Reo Huringa Tau o te Ope Maori Tuarua, i noho ki Remuera, Ohaeawai, 1942-43: The Anniversary Magazine of the Second Maori Battalion, Remuera, Ohaeawai 1942-1943. Patrick Smyth Papers, MS-2002-147, Auckland War Memorial Museum.
- Nominal Roll of Members of the 2nd Maori Battalion, 26th January 1943. Part of the 2nd Maori Battalion Anniversary Magazine. (MS-2002-147). Auckland War Memorial Museum.
- Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1945). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 12 (Embarkations from 1st July, 1943 to 31st December, 1943). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
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