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Cenotaph record

Paul Rangi Te Rito

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Sgt. P. R. Te Rito, M. M., of Whakaki, killed in action. Taken from the supplement to the Auckland Weekly News 12 July 1944 p022. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19440712-22-11. Copyright or other restrictions may apply to this image.

Sgt. P. R. Te Rito, M. M., of Whakaki, killed in action. Taken from the supplement to the Auckland W …

Identity

About

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  • Title
  • Forenames
    Paul Rangi AWMM
  • Surname
    Te Rito AWMM
  • Ingoa
  • Also known as
  • Service number
    67478 AWMM
  • Gender
    Male AWMM
  • Iwi
    Iwi Māori AWMM
  • Hapū
  • Waka
  • Rohe
  • Religion

Civilian life

About birth

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  • Birth
    4 June 1920 AWMM
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Birth notes
  • Address before enlistment
    Unknown AWMM Whakaki, New Zealand AWMM
  • Post war occupation
  • Next of kin on embarkation
    Mrs P. Wilson (sister), Whakaki, New Zealand AWMM
  • Relationship status
    Unknown AWMM Single AWMM

Service

Wars and conflicts

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  • War
    World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
  • Campaign
  • Armed force / branch
    Army AWMM
  • Service number
    67478 AWMM
  • Military service
  • Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers

Military decorations

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  • Medals and Awards
    • Military Medal (MM) AWMM
      6 April 1944 AWMM
      During the attack Pascuccio Ridge on 8 December 1943 Cpl. Te Rito showed outstanding courage and determination. When his Platoon Commander and Sergeant were cut off he immediately took charge of the platoon and when they were counter attacked he led his men at the enemy, firing and hurling hand grenades. It was as a direct result of his personal sample and encouragement that the counter attack was beaten off. Later his mortar man was wounded and taking over the mortar Cpl. Te Rito directed the fire, wiped out a machine-gun post and continued to operate the mortar himself until the bombs were exhausted. Twice more the enemy counter attacked and each time Cpl. Te Rito rallied his men and beat off the attack. When the enemy were finally beaten off Cpl.Te Rito, under heavy machine gun fire, went out and brought back two wounded men. Throughout the whole action he was a source of great inspiration to his men.(London Gazette 6/4/1944 (I)) The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Te Rito, Paul Rangi. (Ref. WO 373/5/452). Military Medal.6 April 1944 AWMM
    • War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
    • New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM

Training and Enlistment

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  • Military training
  • Branch Trade Proficiency
  • Enlistment
    WW2 Unknown AWMM Labourer/Civilian AWMM
    Wairoa, Hawkes Bay AWMM
  • Occupation before enlistment
  • Age on enlistment

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
    Killed in Action, Cause of Death AWMM

Last known rank

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Biographical information

Biographical information

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  • Paul Te Rito was the son of Rangi and Caroline Te Rito, of Whakaki, Hawke's Bay. AWMM

Death

About death

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  • Death
    30 May 1944 AWMM
    Age 24 AWMM
    Italy, Europe AWMM
  • Date of death
  • Age at death
  • Place of death
  • Cause of death
    Killed in Action AWMM
  • Death notes
  • Cemetery
    Cassino War Cemetery, Italy AWMM VI. H. 9. AWMM
  • Cemetery name
  • Grave reference
  • Obituary
  • Memorial name
  • Memorial reference

Memorials

Memorial

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

Roll of Honour

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Leave a note

Leave a tribute or memory of Paul Rangi Te Rito

Leave a note

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  • Our Whanau pay tribute with everlasting love for your service and ultimate sacrifice for freedom. Your memory will live on through the intricate teachings of humility, respect, wisdom, and love towards all people through our tamariki and mokopuna.

    Ka nui te aroha mo ake tonu, He Moe moe ra.

    Te Rito Whanau
    Public - Rowena - Direct descendant - 25 April 2018
    Report 

Sources

Sources

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Contributors

Command item
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DateFirst namesLocationRelationshipContact
04 March 2022Ian BanksTaumarunui New ZealandResearcher
21 January 2021RitaWairoa, New ZealandOther relative
25 April 2018RowenaTakaniniDirect descendant

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