Morgan Ratu Potae
Born 22 Jul 1919 - Died 28 Dec 1944
- Service number
- 62611 AWMM
- Also known as
- Morgan Retu AWMM
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Last rank
- Private AWMM 28 (Maori) Battalion, C Company AWMM
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
Images
Documents
About birth
- Birth
- 22 Jul 1919 AWMM
- 1919 Public Source
- Date of birth
- 1919Public - Lorraine M - Researcher - 6 January 2016 - estimated
- Place of birth
- East Coast, NZPublic - Lorraine M - Researcher - 6 January 2016 - estimated
- Birth notes
- Son of Enoka Potae, and of Addie Potae (nee Mulligan), of Te AraroaPublic - Lorraine M - Researcher - 6 January 2016 - http://www.nzwargraves.org.nz/casualties/morgan-ratu-potae
- Address before enlistment
- Unknown AWMM Te Araroa, New Zealand AWMM
- Post war occupation
- —
- Next of kin
- E. Potae (father), Te Araroa, New Zealand AWMM
- Relationship status
- Unknown AWMM Single AWMM
Wars and conflicts
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
- Campaign
- Italy AWMM
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Service number
- 62611 AWMM
- Military service
- —
- Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers
- —
Military decorations
- Medals and Awards
- Military Medal (MM) AWMM
22 Jul 1943 AWMM
In the attack on Takrouna Village on night of 19/20 April 1943 Pte. Potae was responsible in collecting and evacuating all the wounded comrades of his company. Although himself wounded quite early in the attack and suffering from shock, when he found that his company had suffered heavy casualties he immediately organised the collecting of all the wounded in and around Takrouna basin and moving them to shelter. Despite heavy enemy shell, mortar and machine-gun fire and with complete disregard for his own personal safety the next day 20 April 1943 again found Pte. Potae directing and guiding trucks to the locality where the wounded were sheltered and it was not until the last of his wounded comrades had been evacuated that he then allowed himself to be attended to for evacuation. In this action Pte. Potae showed loyalty to company, initiative, courage and devotion to duty to a degree not normally expected of an ordinary soldier. (London Gazette 22/7/1943(I)) The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Potae, Morgan Ratu. (Ref. WO 373/25/483). Military Medal. 22 Jul 1943 AWMM - War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
- New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM
- Military Medal (MM) AWMM
Training and Enlistment
- Military training
- —
- Branch Trade Proficiency
- —
- Enlistment
- WW2 Labourer/Civilian AWMM
- Age on enlistment
- —
- Occupation before enlistment
- —
Embarkations
- Embarkation details
- WW2 Private AWMM 28 (Maori) Battalion, C Company AWMM Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force AWMM
Prisoner of war
- Capture details
- —
- Days interned
- —
- Liberation date
- —
- POW liberation details
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- Liberation Repatriation
- —
- POW serial number
- —
Medical history
- Medical notes
- Killed in Action, Cause of Death AWMM
Last known rank
- Last rank
- Private AWMM
28 (Maori) Battalion, C Company AWMM - Last rank
- —
Biographical information
- Morgan Potae was the son of Enoka Potae, and of Addie Potae (nee Mulligan), of Te Araroa. AWMM
- TAKROUNA BATTLE - Notice that the King has approved 48 immediate awards (one posthumous) to personnel of the Second N.Z.E.F. serving in Africa has been received by the Prime Minister.
An N.Z.E.F. news service message from Cairo states that 27 of the decorations-three Military Crosses, three Distinguished Conduct Medals, and 21 Military Medals —were awarded to New Zealand infantrymen for gallantry and devotion to duty in the battle for Takrouna. All but five of these awards were won on the night of April 19-20 when, against the fiercest opposition; New Zealand infantry battalions began their last major battle in the North African campaign. Nine of the others - two M.C.s, one D.C.M., and six M.M.s —were won when the New Zealanders attack on the Enfidaville line on the night of April 21-25 produced many deeds of gallantry - Pte M R POTAE is awarded the 'MILTARY MEDAL'.Public - Lorraine M - Researcher - 6 January 2016 - Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 3, 3 July 1943, Page 6 - IN MEMORIAM
POTAE, Private Morgan Ratu, M.M.— Fondest memories of our dear Mossie, killed in action, Faenza, December 28. 1944. In a distant land he lies. At rest in a soldier's grave; In our memories you are dear, As it dawns the first sad year, Ever remembered by aunty, uncle, cousin (returned) and Nene. Cape RunawayPublic - Lorraine M - Researcher - 6 January 2016 - New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25398, 31 December 1945, Page 1
About death
- Death
- 28 Dec 1944 AWMM
Age 25 AWMM - Date of death
- —
- Age at death
- —
- Place of death
- —
- Cause of death
- Killed in Action AWMM
- Death notes
- —
- Cemetery
- Forli War Cemetery, Italy AWMM VI, A, 7. AWMM
- Cemetery name
- —
- Grave reference
- —
- Obituary
- Private Morgan Ratu Potae, M.M., whose death in action is reported, is the son of Mr. Enoka Potae, Horoera, East Cape. He was educated at the Horoera Native School, and subsequently at Te Aute College, where he spent three years. He enlisted with an early group of Maoris from the East Cape district, and had long overseas service to his credit. He was farming on his father's property when the war broke out.Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 14 October 2023 - ROLL OF HONOUR
GISBORNE HERALD, VOLUME LXXII, ISSUE 21608, 10 JANUARY 1945, PAGE 4 - Memorial name
- Tokomaru Bay War Memorial
Tokomaru Bay Memorial gates
Gisborne's War MemorialPublic - Lorraine M - Researcher - 6 January 2016 - Research - Memorial reference
- —
Memorial
- Memorial name
- Auckland War Memorial Museum, World War 2 Hall of Memories AWMM
- Gisborne First World War Memorial, The Esplanade, Kaiti, Gisborne AWMM
Related objects
Sources
- External links
- 28th Maori Battalion Website 1941-1945
http://www.28maoribattalion.org.nz/
Further Reference - 'The KING has been pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East.' (London Gazette, 22 July 1943, p.3315.). Military Medal.
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36102/pages/3315
Further Reference - The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Potae, Morgan Ratu. (Ref. WO 373/25/483). Military Medal.
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7361702
Further Reference - Commonwealth War Graves Commission record
https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2207231
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
- 28th Maori Battalion Website 1941-1945
- References
- Auckland Museum. Roll of Honour, Auckland Province, 1939 - 1945. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 93/139.
- The Weekly News
The Weekly News 1944 - 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 285 - Soutar, M. (2008). Nga tama toa = The price of citizenship : C Company 28 (Maori) Battalion 1939-1945. Albany, N.Z.: David Bateman.
Portrait published in Soutar (2008) - Cody, J. (1956). 28 (Maori) Battalion. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
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