James Heke

Forenames

James AWMM

Surname

Heke AWMM

Service number

65471 AWMM

Gender

Male AWMM

Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe

• Iwi Māori, Māori AWMM
• Tauranga Moana, Māori AWMM

Birth

9 Jul 1909 AWMM

Place of birth

NZ

Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 11 August 2026 - https://www.nzwargraves.org.nz/casualties/james-heke-0

Birth notes

Son of Amokeiha Teheke Kereti and Hiria Teheke Kereti, of Tauranga

Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 11 August 2026 - https://www.nzwargraves.org.nz/casualties/james-heke-0

Address before enlistment

Unknown AWMM Devonport Road, Tauranga, New Zealand AWMM

Next of kin

Mrs H. Heke (mother), Devonport Road, Tauranga, New Zealand AWMM

Relationship status

Unknown AWMM Single AWMM

War

World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM

Campaign

Italy AWMM

Armed force / branch

Army AWMM

Service number

65471 AWMM

Medals and Awards

• Military Medal (MM) AWMM
  25 Nov 1943 AWMM
  In the fighting for Takrouna village from night 19/20 April 1943 to 23 April 1943 this N.C.O. was i/c linesman of the platoon. During this period intercommunication between battalion HQ and companies was dependent chiefly on telephone system. Heavy enemy shelling however, continually playing havoc with the lines, but despite this and entirely regardless of his own personal safety Cpl. Heke kept his lines operating, himself undertaking the repair work. Again on another occasion when line communication between battalion HQ. and artillery observation post on Takrouna through to brigade HQ failed, Cpl. Heke without hesitation went forward and repaired the break. Throughout the whole action he displayed great courage and devotion to duty of the highest order and by his personal example proved a source of inspiration to his platoon. (London Gazette 25/11/1943 (P)) The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Heke, James. (Ref. WO 373/26/504). Military Medal. 25 Nov 1943 AWMM
• War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
• New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM

Enlistment

WW2 Unknown AWMM Joiner/Military AWMM

Embarkation details

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

Medical notes

Died of wounds, Cause of Death AWMM

Last rank

Sergeant Gardiner, W. (2019). Ake ake kia kaha e!
28 (Maori) Battalion, B Company Gardiner, W. (2019). Ake ake kia kaha e!

Son of Amokeiha Teheke Kereti and Hiria Teheke Kereti, of Tauranga

Next of kin details compiled from information in the Casualty lists published in the newspapers. AWMM

Death

17 Mar 1944 AWMM
Age  34 AWMM

Cause of death

Died of wounds AWMM

Cemetery

Cassino War Cemetery, Italy AWMM VI. F. 23. 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, 25 November 1943, p.5175.). Military Medal.
  http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36261/pages/5175
  Further Reference
• The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Heke, James. (Ref. WO 373/26/504). Military Medal.
  http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7362477
  Further Reference
• Commonwealth War Graves Commission record
  https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2410048
  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. 4 (Embarkations from 1st April, 1941 to 30 June, 1941). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
  WW2 4: WW2 156
• The New Zealand Herald
  [Casualties], Died of Wounds. (1944, March 28).
• Gardiner, W. (2019). Ake ake kia kaha e! : Forever brave! : B Company 28 (Maori) Battalion, 1939-1945. Auckland : Bateman Books.
• Cody, J. (1956). 28 (Maori) Battalion. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.