Kura Edwards

Forenames

Kura AWMM

Surname

Edwards AWMM

Service number

WWII 39612 AWMM

Gender

Male AWMM

Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe

• Iwi Māori, Māori AWMM
• Horouta, Waka o Ngā Iwi, Ngā Iwi, Māori AWMM

Birth

7 Aug 1918 AWMM

Birth notes

son of Son of Tom and Reri Edwards, of Ruatoria.

Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 15 October 2022 - https://www.nzwargraves.org.nz/casualties/kura-edwards

Address before enlistment

WW2 Reporua, New Zealand AWMM

Next of kin

WW2 Mrs Rere Te Hei (mother), Reporua, New Zealand AWMM

Relationship status

Single AWMM

War

World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM

Armed force / branch

Army AWMM

Service number

WWII 39612 AWMM

Medals and Awards

• Military Medal (MM) AWMM
  17 Jun 1943 AWMM
  During the attack on 26 March 1943 Pte. Edwards was attached as stretcher bearer to the company that made the attack on Point 209. All the other stretcher bearers attached to this company had become casualties themselves during the approach on to the hill feature so that by the time the company had got on to its objective Pte. Edwards was the only stretcher bearer left. When the company reached the crest of the hill, heavy fighting took place, the enemy making several counter attacks and inflicting heavy casualties on the company. Pte Edwards worked under extremely difficult conditions going from one end of the company to the other under continuous mortar and machine gun fire. But without the slightest regard for his own personal safety he worked unceasingly throughout the whole night and the better part of the next day till his company was relieved, not only dressing the wounded but also carrying them down the hill to safety. During this action Pte. Edwards showed unswerving devotion to duty in the face of tremendous odds and also showing personal courage and fortitude of a very high order. (London Gazette 17/6/1943 (I)) The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Edwards, Kura. (Ref. WO 373/25/223). Military Medal. AWMM
• War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
• New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM

Enlistment

WW2 Dairy farming/Civilian AWMM

Embarkation details

WW2 Private AWMM 28 (Maori) Battalion, C Company AWMM Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Second Echelon AWMM

Medical notes

Died of wounds, Cause of Death AWMM

Last rank

Private AWMM
28 (Maori) Battalion, C Company AWMM

Kura Edwards was the son of Tom and Reri Edwards, of Ruatoria, New Zealand.

Listed in the Auckland Museum. Roll of Honour, Auckland Province, 1939 - 1945 as Kura Edward

Record in Soutar (2008) as Died on Active Service, Buried in New Zealand AWMM

Death

14 Nov 1944 AWMM
Age  26 AWMM

Cause of death

Died of wounds AWMM

Cemetery

Kaonui Cemetery, Reporua, New Zealand AWMM

Memorial name

Auckland War Memorial Museum, World War 2 Hall of Memories AWMM

Related objects

External links

• 28th Maori Battalion Website 1941-1945
  http://www.28maoribattalion.org.nz/
  Further Reference
• 'The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East.' (London Gazette, 17 June 1943, p.2762.). Military Medal.
  http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36057/supplements/2762
  Further Reference
• The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Edwards, Kura. (Ref. WO 373/25/223). Military Medal.
  http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7361442
  Further Reference
• Commonwealth War Graves Commission record
  https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2920463
  Sources Used
• 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

References

• Auckland Museum. Roll of Honour, Auckland Province, 1939 - 1945. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 93/139.
• Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1941). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 2 (Embarkations to 30th June, 1940). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
  WW2 2: WW2 57
• Soutar, M. (2008). Nga tama toa = The price of citizenship : C Company 28 (Maori) Battalion 1939-1945. Albany, N.Z.: David Bateman.
  Portrait published in Soutar (2008)
• Cody, J. (1956). 28 (Maori) Battalion. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
• Gardiner, W. (2019). Ake ake kia kaha e! : Forever brave! : B Company 28 (Maori) Battalion, 1939-1945. Auckland : Bateman Books.