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Cenotaph record

Henry William Northcroft

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Group of 2 soldiers: Major Henry William Northcroft is on the right (family collection, provided by daughter, June Grant, January 2008) - This image may be subject to copyright

Group of 2 soldiers: Major Henry William Northcroft is on the right (family collection, provided by …

Identity

About

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Civilian life

About birth

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  • Birth
    15 September 1914 AWMM Waitahanui, Waikato AWMM
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Birth notes
  • Address before enlistment
    Pre 9 June 1940 AWMM North Clyde, Wairoa, New Zealand AWMM
  • Post war occupation
    Minister of Religion/Civilian AWMM
  • Next of kin on embarkation
    Mrs D. Northcroft (wife), 35 Shakespeare Road, Napier, New Zealand AWMM
  • Relationship status
    Pre 11 June 1943 AWMM Married AWMM

Service

Wars and conflicts

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  • War
    World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
  • Campaign
    Italy AWMM
  • Armed force / branch
    Army AWMM
  • Service number
    65423 AWMM
  • Military service
  • Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers

Military decorations

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  • Medals and Awards
    • Military Cross (MC) AWMM
      18 October 1945 AWMM
      Captain Northcroft commanded a Company in the battle across the Senio on the night 9/10 April 1945. With dash and determination he led his men across the river through enemy minefields, pierced enemy defences on the stop bank and captured several of the enemy without casualty to his men. Appreciating that the enemy firmly held the ground approximately six hundred yards beyond, he once more led his men in another attack in which he was wounded but he requested not to be evacuated until the objective had been reached. When the second phase of the major attack developed he led his men fearlessly against enemy Spandau posts and strong points, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. After he was satisfied that the situation had been stabilised, he agreed to be evacuated to the hospital. In this action, after having fought through difficult country, his Company gained the final objective, through his skill and leadership. Throughout this action and previous actions he displayed courage of the highest order.'. (Source: The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Northcroft, Henry William. (Ref. WO 373/14/228). Military Cross. AWMM
    • 1939-1945 Star AWMM
    • Italy Star AWMM
    • Defence Medal AWMM
    • War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
    • New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM

Training and Enlistment

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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
    • Height, Unknown Period AWMM
      5 foot 8.25 inches AWMM
    • Complexion, Unknown Period AWMM
      Fair AWMM
    • Eye colour, Unknown Period AWMM
      brown AWMM
    • Hair colour, Unknown Period AWMM
      Black AWMM
    • Weight, Unknown Period AWMM
      12 stone 7 pounds AWMM
    • Hospital Diseases , Wounds, WWII AWMM
      Wounded 24 December 1943 - discharged from hospital 3 January 1944 AWMM
    • Hospital Diseases , Wounds, WWII AWMM
      Wounded 10 April 1945 - discharged from hospital 24 April 1945 AWMM

Last known rank

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Biographical information

Biographical information

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  • Henry Northcroft was the son of Awhi Pou Kaiwhakahaere Northcroft and Riihi Waaka (Tuhourangi/Ngati Wahiao). His grandparents were Major Henry William Northcroft of the Armed Constabulary [Defenders of New Zealand pp146-152] and Ngaamo Tamamutu (Ngati Tuwharetoa).

    Henry William Northcroft married Dorothy Lambert on 31 January 1941. Their daughter Jill Hinemoa Northcroft was born on 16 December 1941. After the war Ridgley Aounui Northcroft was born in 1948, June Airini Northcroft in 1949, Vicki Makereti Northcroft in 1957.

    Promotions: Lieutenant 14 May 1944 ; Captain 28 September 1944; Major 28 April 1945; 2nd in command 28 Battalion (temporary promotion), promotion relinquished 29 September 1945

    Served in Egypt with the 9th Reinforcements 11 June 1943

    Embarked for NZ on the Dominion Monarch, 31 December 1945

    On return to NZ was posted to Reserve Officers List

    On return to NZ returned to work with the Anglican Ministry at Whakarewarewa, Porangahau, Wairoa from where he resigned to join the Department of Maori Affairs as a Welfare Officer.

    Service Record on AWMM file

    Capt P. F. Te H. Ornberg, MC, m.i.d.; born NZ 2 Apr 1919; clerk; wounded 20 Apr 1943; died of wounds 30 May 1944. (Source: Cody, J.F. 28 Maori Battalion. p.319.) AWMM
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Death

About death

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  • Death
    2 December 1990 AWMM
    Age 76 AWMM
    Rotorua, Bay of Plenty AWMM
  • Date of death
  • Age at death
  • Place of death
  • Cause of death
  • Death notes
  • Cemetery
    Rotorua Cemetery and Crematorium, 160 Sala Street, Rotorua, New Zealand AWMM Block 6 Section RSA Plot 247A AWMM
  • Cemetery name
  • Grave reference
  • Obituary
  • Memorial name
  • Memorial reference

Memorials

Memorial

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  • Memorial name

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Sources

Sources

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  • External links
    • Rotorua District cemetery records
      http://www.rdc.govt.nz/our-services/cemetery-services/Onlincemeterysearch/Pages/default.aspx
      Sources Used
    • 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, 18 October 1945, p.5102.). Military Cross.
      http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37310/supplements/5102
      Further Reference
    • 'Captain Northcroft commanded a Company in the battle across the Senio on the night 9/10 April 1945. With dash and determination he led his men across the river through enemy minefields, pierced enemy defences on the stop bank and captured several of the enemy without casualty to his men. Appreciating that the enemy firmly held the ground approximately six hundred yards beyond, he once more led his men in another attack in which he was wounded but he requested not to be evacuated until the objective had been reached. When the second phase of the major attack developed he led his men fearlessly against enemy Spandau posts and strong points, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. After he was satisfied that the situation had been stabilised, he agreed to be evacuated to the hospital. In this action, after having fought through difficult country, his Company gained the final objective, through his skill and leadership. Throughout this action and previous actions he displayed courage of the highest order.'. (Source: The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Northcroft, Henry William. (Ref. WO 373/14/228). Military Cross.
      http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7355665
      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
  • References
    • Gardiner, W. (2019). Ake ake kia kaha e! : Forever brave! : B Company 28 (Maori) Battalion, 1939-1945. Auckland : Bateman Books. AWMM
    • Cenotaph data entry form AWMM
    • Sutherland, J. (1989). Gallantry awards to New Zealanders in World War Two. Christchurch, N.Z.: Regal Medals. AWMM
    • 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. AWMM
      WW2 11: WW2 97 AWMM
    • Ohinemutu Informer AWMM
      Henry William Northcroft 1914-1990 ... (2005, April, No. 61). Ohinemutu Informer. AWMM
    • Cody, J. (1956). 28 (Maori) Battalion. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch. AWMM
      pp.319, 336-7, 344, 346, 435, 444, 455, 458-9, 481. AWMM
    • Information kindly provided by family AWMM
    • 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. AWMM
    • 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. AWMM

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