Witariana Heretaunga

Forenames

Witariana AWMM

Surname

Heretaunga AWMM

Also known as

• Witiana Mikaere AWMM
• Jack AWMM
• Binky AWMM

Service number

WWII 39713 AWMM

Gender

Male AWMM

Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe

• Iwi Māori, Māori AWMM
• Te Arawa, Māori AWMM

Date of birth

b. 1923

Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 12 August 2026 - Estimated from age when he died

Place of birth

NZ

Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 12 August 2026 - Military record

Birth notes

Son of Mikaere & Kirikowhai HERETAUNGA

Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 12 August 2026 - https://www.nzwargraves.org.nz/casualties/witariana-heretaunga & NZ BDM records

Address before enlistment

WW2 Wairaupakau, Kaingaroa, New Zealand AWMM

Next of kin

WW2 Mrs Kirikowhai Heretaunga (mother), Whakarewarewa, Rotorua, New Zealand AWMM

Relationship status

Single AWMM

War

World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM

Campaign

Western Desert AWMM

Armed force / branch

Army AWMM

Service number

WWII 39713 AWMM

Enlistment

WW2 Labourer/Civilian AWMM

Embarkation details

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

Medical notes

1941 AWMM Killed in Action, Cause of Death AWMM

Last rank

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

Son of Mikaere and Kirikowhai Heretaunga of Whakarewarewa

Two sons brothers Witariana Heretaunga (Witiana Mikaere) and Atama (or Adam or Jack) Mikaere (25946) were killed in WW2.

Served as Witariana Heretaunga. Listed on the Whakarewarewa Memorial as Witiana Mikaere AWMM

Death

27 Nov 1941 AWMM
Age  19 AWMM

Cause of death

Killed in Action AWMM

Cemetery

Halfaya Sollum War Cemetery, Egypt AWMM 9. B. 7. AWMM

Memorial name

• Auckland War Memorial Museum, World War 2 Hall of Memories AWMM
• Memorial plaque, Rautapu Cave, Orakei Korako thermal park, near Taupo, New Zealand AWMM

Related objects

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
• Te Ara website Rautapu Cave
  http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/volcanic-plateau-places/9/5
  Further Reference
• Commonwealth War Graves Commission record
  https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2116298
  Sources Used

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 86
• Auckland Museum. Roll of Honour, Auckland Province, 1939 - 1945. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 93/139.
• 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.