John Tainui
Born 13 Oct 1917 - Died 15 Dec 1941
- Service number
- 7625 AWMM
- Also known as
- —
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Last rank
- Sergeant AWMM 28 (Maori) Battalion, D Company AWMM
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
Images
Documents
About birth
- Birth
- 13 Oct 1917 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 Little River, New Zealand AWMM
- Post war occupation
- —
- Next of kin
- Mrs A.H. Tainui (wife), Little River, 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
- 7625 AWMM
- Military service
- —
- Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers
- —
Military decorations
- Medals and Awards
- Military Medal (MM) AWMM
04 Nov 1941 AWMM
At Petras Pass on 16 April 1941 when the enemy attacked, Cpl. Tainui went out to meet the forward elements in front of his position, and it is known that he accounted for three of the enemy scouts. Later, when another part of his company were in difficulties, he secured permission to go to their assistance and did so without regard for his personal safety. (London Gazette 4/11/1941) The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Tainui, John. (Ref. WO 373/27/359). Military Medal. 04 Nov 1941 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 Labourer/Civilian AWMM
- Age on enlistment
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- Occupation before enlistment
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Embarkations
- Embarkation details
- WW2 Private AWMM 28 (Maori) Battalion, D Company AWMM Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Second Echelon 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
- Killed on Active Service, Cause of Death AWMM
Last known rank
- Last rank
- Sergeant AWMM
28 (Maori) Battalion, D Company AWMM - Last rank
- —
Biographical information
- Son of Jack and Molly Tainui, of Little River, Canterbury, New Zealand; husband of Acacia Haromi Tainui, of Little River
Sergeant J. Tainui, MM; born NZ 13 Oct 1917; labourer; killed in action 15 Dec 1941. (Source: Cody, J.F. 28 Maori Battalion. p.59.)
D Company's first close contact with the enemy is described by Major Dyer:
When the enemy were seen advancing on the mountain face opposite us I sent Jack Tainui, my best scout, and another down to the bottom of the gorge to observe the enemy as it was possible to cross the river by leaping from rock to rock. As the enemy, Austrian mountain troops I think, started to cross, he picked them off at close range. I believe he shot three. He told me that one man was only wounded and started to crawl away. He raised his rifle to finish him off and then found that he could not do it. He withdrew in front of the enemy, and in the middle of the main action which followed immediately, he reported to me and then with a grin said he was going down (a matter of about thirty yards) to give the boys a hand as they seemed to be having a tough time.
Warned by the firing on its right, D Company was peering into the mist and the enemy was concentrating on the flat where Battalion Headquarters had originally been established. Suddenly, Private Harold in 16 Platoon took careful aim and fired. An enemy scout who had reached the road fell on his back. Harold turned to his mate, ‘Old Horse’ Martin,22 and said shakily, ‘Old Horse, I've killed him.’ Sergeant J. Tainui, MM; born NZ 13 Oct 1917; labourer; killed in action 15 Dec 1941.; To Greece - The Germans then appeared to edge still farther westwards seeking for a gap in the sector held by D Company. To prevent that unit being outflanked, 11 Platoon B Company (Second-Lieutenant Pene) had been placed beyond it opposite the village of Skotina, but with the successive westward moves of the enemy Lieutenant-Colonel Dittmer strengthened the flank with 13 Platoon C Company (Second-Lieutenant Reedy). The enemy's approach was carefully observed by three scouts who were sent out as soon as the Germans appeared in front of D Company. One of them, Corporal Tainui, dealt with three Germans and reported that a large number were collecting in the gorge. Sergeant J. Tainui, MM; born NZ 13 Oct 1917; labourer; killed in action 15 Dec 1941.' (Source: Cody, J.F. 28 Maori Battalion. pp. 59.; McClymont, W.G. To Greece. p. 265.) AWMM
About death
- Death
- 15 Dec 1941 AWMM
Age 22 AWMM - Date of death
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- Age at death
- —
- Place of death
- —
- Cause of death
- Killed on Active Service AWMM
- Death notes
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- Cemetery
- Knightsbridge War Cemetery, Acroma, Libya AWMM 6. A. 8. AWMM
- 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 undermentioned awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East.' (London Gazette, 4 November 1941, p.6359.). Military Medal.
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35333/supplements/6359
Further Reference - The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Tainui, John. (Ref. WO 373/27/359). Military Medal.
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7362869
Further Reference - Commonwealth War Graves Commission record
https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2383333
Sources Used - D Company, 28th Māori Battalion, Palmerston North, 1940. The soldiers were identified by D Company's Company Sergeant Major, Rangi Logan, in the 1990s. Names are listed from left to right in each row. Some identifications remain unconfirmed. Identifications: 28 Māori Battalion website, ‘D Company 1940, group photo’.
Back row: Unidentified, Tim Pahau, unidentified, possibly Katene, Bunny Hawkins (Wakatu), Johnson Whare, unidentified, Major Rewi, George Tawhai, Willy Rupe, Eddy (Kapai) Ngapuhi (unconfirmed), unidentified, Eddie Ngapuhi (unconfirmed), unidentified, unidentified, Joe Larkins (Rangitāne), unidentified, Rangi Mateparae, Norman Tane (Te Kuiti), Noble Carroll, Bill Tauri, unidentified. Third row: Unidentified, Jack Tainui, unidentified, Jim Koti, J. J. Taha, Kiwa Pomare Hura, Joe Te Rangi (Chatham Islands), unidentified, Bill Rangitawa, Nelson Carroll, unidentified, Iriwhata (Ponchey) Hunter, Don Mitchell (Wairoa), Waki Lewis (Ngāti Kauwhata), William Heperi, Bill Iwihora, Tuakana (Tew) Nikora, John Rangi (Waitōtara), George (Old Horse) Martin, John (Swanne) Collins, Philip Parahi, Nirai Apatu, George Cook, Bob Ropiha, Tom Ormond (Māhia), unidentified, Taake Karetu, Jim Tahau. Second row: Bill Kurupo (Le Bas), Barney Kingi, Willy Tamaki, Te Raetea Kahu Paku, Felix Edwards, Boy Tamaki, Lemuel Mahanga (Wairoa, Hawke's Bay), Jim Roach, Walla West, Jack Rewiti, Bob Mangere, Jim Kihi (Ngāti Maniapoto), Willie Komene, Maurice Anderson, unidentified, Pat Wright, unidentified, Les Wipiti, Peter Tapine (Piha), Jim Bailey (Whanganui) or Boss Pineaha, Peter Tahatu, Joe Hiroti (Whanganui), Robert Fowler, Boyce Te Mana, Joe Manaena, John Parata (Pehi), Mat Bailey (Pūtiki). Front row: Hori Tauroa Roa, Fraser Goodnight, Paul Kurupo, Bill Tukere Te Anga, Dean (Hati) Paipa, Martin Murphy, George Te Hau, Bill Mohi, Jackson Martin, Tom Pitama (identified as Petaina), Rangi Logan, George Te Kuru, Teri Gilroy, Captain Ces Blomfield, Major Humphrey Dyer, Paul Te Punga, Wally McKay, Sergeant Ted Pohio, Whiti Mane (Hastings), Jerry Smith (Whanganui), Barney Manawatu, Stan Cooper, Tom Smiler, Stanley Rangi Martin, Sam Komene, Henry Skipper, George Turner, Howe Iwihora. 'Maori Battalion, D Company, Palmerston North’. Photograph by Richard John James Thomson, 1940. Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, PA.000038.
https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/object/213178
Further Reference
- 28th Maori Battalion Website 1941-1945
- References
- 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 180 - Cody, J. (1956). 28 (Maori) Battalion. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
pp.59, 64, 125, 158, 169-70, 173. - McClymont, W. (1959). To Greece. Wellington, N.Z.: Department Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
p.265.
- 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.
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