Ralph Cullen
Born 5 Jan 1920
- Service number
- 801916 AWMM
- Also known as
- Rau or RalphPublic - Martin Brett - Other relative - 13 July 2022 - Family cemetery - Te Puke Totara
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Last rank
- —
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
About
- Title
- MrPublic - Martin Brett - Other relative - 13 July 2022 - Family cemetery - Te Puke Totara
- Forenames
- Ralph AWMM
- Te RauarohaPublic - Martin Brett - Other relative - 13 July 2022 - Family cemetery - Te Puke Totara
- Surname
- Cullen AWMM
- Ingoa
- —
- Also known as
- Rau or RalphPublic - Martin Brett - Other relative - 13 July 2022 - Family cemetery - Te Puke Totara
- Service number
- 801916 AWMM
- Gender
- Male AWMM
- Religion
- AnglicanPublic - Martin Brett - Other relative - 13 July 2022 - Family cemetery - Te Puke Totara
Images
Documents
About birth
- Birth
- 5 Jan 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
- Unknown AWMM 45 Wellington Street, Auckland, New Zealand AWMM
- Post war occupation
- —
- Next of kin
- Mrs J. Cullen (wife), 55 Symonds Street, Auckland, 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
- 801916 AWMM
- Military service
- 2nd Maori Battalion AWMM
- Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers
- —
Military decorations
- Medals and Awards
- Military Medal (MM) AWMM
21 Jun 1945 AWMM
During the attack on Casa La Morte on the night of 14/15 December 1944, L/Sgt. Cullen was in command of a platoon and had to lead his platoon through heavily-mined ground to his objective which was a strongly-held enemy strongpoint. Before the objective was reached, he found the country difficult to negotiate owing to canals behind minefields. Without hesitation he led twelve men from the flank and began a determined assault which brought down enemy defensive fire among the platoon. The enemy opened fire, pinning him and his men. Realising that the enemy fire was too severe, he changed his tactics by attacking frontally, thus evading casualties. He led his men with dash and determination, resulting in the capture of the objective and the killing of many of the enemy. After capture, the objective was found to be a key point to the defences, and to contain many pandaus. By his outstanding initiative and dash, L/Sgt. Cullen Inspired his men to gain the objective without serious casualties. Throughout this action and subsequent actions, he has shown leadership of the highest order. (London Gazette 21/6/1945 (i)) The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Cullen, Ralph. (Ref. WO 373/12/664). Military Medal. 21 Jun 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 Unknown AWMM Carpenter/Civilian AWMM
- Age on enlistment
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- Occupation before enlistment
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Embarkations
- Embarkation details
- WW2 Lance Corporal/Military 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
- Sergeant R. Cullen, MM, was born in New Zealand on 5 January 1920. A carpenter from Paeroa, he served with 8 Platoon, 28th Māori Battalion, and was wounded four times during World War II.
During the fighting near Faenza, Italy, the battalion took up positions around a road junction just over a mile from the outskirts of the town. Two roads and a railway line from Faenza met there, while a third road led north-west towards Celle village. The junction was given the name ‘Ruatoria’ by the Māori soldiers.
C, A and B Companies occupied positions across the roads and railway leading into Faenza, with D Company held in reserve. German-occupied houses were only 150 yards away. The nearest, Casa Celetta, was surrounded by tall olive trees and poplars, leaving only its roof visible.
The battalion's move into these positions had been conducted in extreme silence, with the men initially crawling through muddy ground to avoid detection. Some began walking but were forced to resume crawling when German tracer fire passed approximately waist-high.
That evening, Sergeant Cullen led a fighting patrol of 11 other ranks from 8 Platoon to investigate Casa Celetta. The patrol discovered that the house was strongly defended, with three well-concealed German tanks positioned behind the building.
The patrol was detected and a fierce engagement followed in the darkness. Cullen withdrew with four wounded men. Medium and heavy mortar fire was then directed onto the position, and the German tanks were heard withdrawing towards Faenza.
Cullen returned to Casa Celetta with his patrol and killed six German soldiers who remained in the house. The men were preparing to occupy the building when they heard the tanks returning. German shells began striking the house, forcing the patrol to withdraw for a second time, with another four men wounded.
Sources:
J. F. Cody, 28 (Maori) Battalion (1956), p. 436.
R. Kay, Italy Volume II: From Cassino to Trieste (1967), p. 305. 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 immediate awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.' (London Gazette, 21 June 1945, p.3237.). Military Medal.
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37138/supplements/3237
Further Reference - The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Cullen, Ralph. (Ref. WO 373/12/664). Military Medal.
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7354740
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. 11 (Embarkations from 1st April, 1943 to 30th June, 1943). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
WW2 11: WW2 31 - Cody, J. (1956). 28 (Maori) Battalion. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
pp.436, 440. - Kay, R. (1967). Italy. Volume 2. From Cassino to Trieste. Dept. of Internal Affairs, Historical Publications Branch, Wellington, N.Z.
p.305. - 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. 11 (Embarkations from 1st April, 1943 to 30th June, 1943). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
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