Rawiri Hemi

Forenames

Rawiri AWMM

Surname

Hemi AWMM

Service number

801792 AWMM

Gender

Male AWMM

Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe

Iwi Māori, Māori AWMM

Birth

8 Nov 1918 AWMM

Address before enlistment

Whangarei, North Auckland, New Zealand AWMM

Next of kin

Mr R. Hemi (brother), Huia Road, Kaeo, North Auckland, 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

801792 AWMM

Medals and Awards

• Military Medal (MM) AWMM
  06 Apr 1944 AWMM
  "During the battle for Fonte Grande on the morning of 24 December 1943 Pte. Hemi took charge of his section which was encountering very heavy mortar and small arms fire. This did not deter Pte. Hemi from leading his section forward with vigour and skill, and he personally knocked out one machine-gun post with his Bren and was instrumental in silencing two others. Whilst his company was consolidating, in broad daylight, Pte. Hemi went forward and, with complete disregard for his own safety, dragged a wounded comrade back to safety. He also helped to carry out another wounded soldier whilst under heavy fire from enemy snipers. This soldier was an inspiration to his men and showed exceptional courage, resourcefulness and ability. (London Gazette 10/5/1945 (I) The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Hemi, Rawiri. (Ref. WO 373/5/466). Military Medal. 06 Apr 1944. " AWMM
• War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
• New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM
• This citation for Rawiri Hemi's Military Medal is reproduced from the April 1990 NZ 28 Maori Battali
  Public - Leone - Researcher - 25 January 2015 - Web link - Retrieved from http://www.28maoribattalion.org.nz/memory/private-rawiri-hemi-leads-his-section-fonte-grande

Enlistment

WW2 Bush hand/Civilian AWMM

Embarkation details

WW2 Lance Corporal/Military AWMM 28 (Maori) Battalion, A Company AWMM Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force AWMM

Medical notes

Killed in Action, Cause of Death AWMM

Last rank

Corporal/Military AWMM
28 (Maori) Battalion, A Company AWMM

Son of Piripi and Maata Hemi. AWMM

Death

22 Sept 1944 AWMM
Age  25 AWMM

Cause of death

Killed in Action AWMM

Cemetery

Cesena War Cemetery, Italy AWMM V. D. 1. AWMM

Memorial name

• Auckland War Memorial Museum, World War 2 Hall of Memories AWMM
• Whangaroa Memorial Hall, Leigh Street, Kaeo 0478 AWMM

Related objects

External links

• 28th Maori Battalion Website 1941-1945
  http://www.28maoribattalion.org.nz/
  Sources Used
• 28th Maori Battalion Website 1941-1945. Personal page
  http://www.28maoribattalion.org.nz/soldier/rawiri-hemi
  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 following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.' (London Gazette, 6 April 1944, p.1588.). Military Medal.
  http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36456/supplements/1588
  Further Reference
• The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Hemi, Rawiri. (Ref. WO 373/5/466). Military Medal.
  http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=C8907633
  Further Reference
• Commonwealth War Graves Commission record
  https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/1713486
  Sources Used

References

• Cody, J. (1956). 28 (Maori) Battalion. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
• 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.
  WW2 11: WW2 58
• Auckland Museum. Roll of Honour, Auckland Province, 1939 - 1945. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 93/139.