Harold Ruha Ngarimu
Born 12 Jul 1919 - Died 27 Mar 1944
- Service number
- 65430 AWMM
- Also known as
- Harold Ruha AWMM
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Last rank
- Lance Sergeant/Military Gardiner, W. (2019). Ake ake kia kaha e! 28 (Maori) Battalion, B Company Gardiner, W. (2019). Ake ake kia kaha e!
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
About
- Title
- —
- Forenames
- Harold Ruha AWMM
- Surname
- Ngarimu AWMM
- Ingoa
- —
- Also known as
- Harold Ruha AWMM
- Service number
- 65430 AWMM
- Gender
- Male AWMM
- Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
- Iwi Māori, Māori AWMM
- Ngāi Tūhoe, Māori AWMM
- Religion
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Images
Documents
About birth
- Birth
- 12 Jul 1919 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 Mokai, New Zealand AWMM
- Post war occupation
- —
- Next of kin
- Mrs M. Ruha (mother), Mokai, New Zealand AWMM
- Relationship status
- Unknown AWMM Single AWMM
Wars and conflicts
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
- Campaign
- —
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Service number
- 65430 AWMM
- Military service
- —
- Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers
- —
Military decorations
- Medals and Awards
- Military Medal (MM) AWMM
22 Jul 1943 AWMM
In the attack on Takrouna on the night of 19/20 April 1943,L/Cpl. Ruha was a member of the party of nine men which attacked the fort crowning the village. During a counter-attack by the enemy some broke into the lodgement gained by the party. L/Cpl. Ruha immediately rallied the party around him and attacked fiercely. He was severely wounded but carried on until the situation was restored and the enemy destroyed. His conduct throughout the whole action and his complete disregard of danger was an inspiration to his comrades and of great assistance to his commander. (London Gazette 22/7/1943) The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Ruha, Harold. (Ref. WO 373/25/472). 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
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- Branch Trade Proficiency
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- Enlistment
- WW2 Bushman/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, B Company AWMM Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force 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
- Died of wounds, Cause of Death AWMM
Last known rank
- Last rank
- Lance Sergeant/Military Gardiner, W. (2019). Ake ake kia kaha e!
28 (Maori) Battalion, B Company Gardiner, W. (2019). Ake ake kia kaha e! - Last rank
- —
Biographical information
- Enlisted as Harold Ruha
Lance Sergeant H. Ruha, MM; born NZ 12 Jul 1919; bushman; wounded 21 Apr 1943; died of wounds 27 Mar 1944. (Source: Cody, J.F. 28 Maori Battalion. p.304.)
'While the battalion passes an uneasy day under fire and 23 Battalion improves its position against counter-attack and support arms finally succeed in getting forward, Takrouna must claim our attention again.
When the enemy realised that his observation post on Takrouna was lost, both the pinnacle and the ledge were subjected to fire of all types. It was kept up almost continuously during the day, and the events which follow must be pictured as occurring under a constant deluge of mortar and other shells. All the garrison found targets in Takrouna village and viciniy; Private Takurua found an enemy 2-inch mortar and six bombs which he delivered to the village, and Corporal Ruha, ensconced on the cupola of the mosque, picked out two of our captured 25-pounders and with his rifle prevented them not only from firing but also from being withdrawn to a safer position. Lance Sergeant H. Ruha, MM; born NZ 12 Jul 1919; bushman; wounded 21 Apr 1943; died of wounds 27 Mar 1944.
' (Source: Cody, J.F. 28 Maori Battalion. pp. 304.) AWMM
About death
- Death
- 27 Mar 1944 AWMM
Age 25 AWMM - Date of death
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- Age at death
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- Place of death
- —
- Cause of death
- Died of wounds AWMM
- Death notes
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- Cemetery
- Cassino War Cemetery, Italy AWMM VI. G. 15. AWMM
- Cemetery name
- —
- 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
- Auckland War Memorial Museum, World War 2 Hall of Memories AWMM
- Whakarewarewa, Te Hokowhitu-a-tu Memorial Gateway, Rotorua AWMM
Related objects
Sources
- External links
- 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
Sources Used - 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 Ruha, Harold. (Ref. WO 373/25/472). Military Medal.
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7361691
Further Reference - Commonwealth War Graves Commission record
https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2609654
Sources Used
- Cody, J. (1956). 28 (Maori) Battalion. Wellington: Dept. of Internal Affairs, War History Branch. Digital copy.
- 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 308 - Cody, J. (1956). 28 (Maori) Battalion. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
pp.299-300, 304. - Gardiner, W. (2019). Ake ake kia kaha e! : Forever brave! : B Company 28 (Maori) Battalion, 1939-1945. Auckland : Bateman Books.
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