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Cenotaph record

Robert McLean

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  • Service number
    WWII 801643 AWMM
  • Also known as
    Ropata Potahi Titore AWMM
  • Armed force / branch
    Army AWMM
  • Last rank
  • War
    World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
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Photo taken of our Grandpa of 28th Maori Battalion B Coy

Robert Potahi Titore

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Identity

About

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  • Title
  • Forenames
    Robert AWMM
  • Surname
    McLean AWMM
  • Ingoa
  • Also known as
    Ropata Potahi Titore AWMM
  • Service number
    WWII 801643 AWMM
  • Gender
    Male AWMM
  • Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
    Iwi Māori, Māori AWMM
  • Religion

Civilian life

About birth

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  • Birth
    16 June 1919 AWMM AWMM
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Birth notes
  • Address before enlistment
    WW2 65 Summer Street, Ponsonby, Auckland, New Zealand AWMM
  • Post war occupation
  • Next of kin on embarkation
    WW2 Mrs I. McLean (mother), Motuti, New Zealand AWMM
  • Relationship status
    Pre 21 Feb 1944-31 March 1944 AWMM Single AWMM

Service

Wars and conflicts

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  • War
    World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
  • Campaign
  • Armed force / branch
    Army AWMM
  • Service number
    WWII 801643 AWMM
  • Military service
  • Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers

Military decorations

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  • Medals and Awards
    • Military Medal (MM) AWMM
      18 October 1945 AWMM
      "During the crossing of the Santerno River on 10 April 1945 Pte. McLean commanded the section which was detailed to form the company's initial bridgehead, during which he displayed outstanding courage and initiative. In that, moving forward under hostile shelling and Spandau fire, he led his section operations against enemy resistance wherein the section destroyed one enemy mortar and crew, while he personally captured a Spandau post killing fifteen of the enemy. The bridgehead thus created, his company passed through to fight their way to their final objective, after which Pte. McLean led his section up to consolidate on the final objective. After consolidation the enemy counter-attacked several times but the sector his section held was defended gallantly by his men and, on the whole, the success of the section and his platoon was due to the dash and gallant leadership of this soldier. (L.G.18/10/1945 (I)). The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for McLean, Robert. (Ref. WO 373/14/306). Military Medal. 18 Oct 1945." AWMM
    • War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
    • New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM

Training and Enlistment

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Embarkations

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Prisoner of war

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  • Capture details
  • Days interned
  • Liberation date
  • Liberation Repatriation
  • POW liberation details
  • POW serial number

Medical history

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  • Medical notes

Last known rank

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  • Last rank

Biographical information

Biographical information

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  • Robert McLean was the husband of Huia.

    The family displayed Robert's medals at the 26th National Reunion of the 28 Maori Battalion held on 14-16 April 2006 at Copthorne Hotel and Resort, Omapere, Hokianga. AWMM

Death

About death

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  • Death
    28 February 2004 AWMM
    Age 84 AWMM
    Whangarei, Northland AWMM
  • Date of death
  • Age at death
  • Place of death
  • Cause of death
  • Death notes
  • Cemetery
    urupa, Tamatea Marae, Motuti, Hokianga, New Zealand AWMM
  • Cemetery name
  • Grave reference
  • Obituary
    Death notice: New Zealand Herald, 2 March 2004 AWMM
  • Memorial name
  • Memorial reference

Memorials

Memorial

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  • Memorial name
    St. Aidans Church, 5 Ascot Avenue, Remuera, Auckland 1050 AWMM

Roll of Honour

Remember Robert McLean by laying a poppy.

Leave a note

Leave a tribute or memory of Robert McLean

Leave a note

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  • Hey Grampaa! E noho mokemoke ana ahau ki roto i te whare taonga o Akarana e taaaangi meme ana!. E ngau kino ana te mokemoke tonu mou e taku Grampaa kourua ko NanaMaa's. He taemaha tenei panui ou, ahakoa he toa, he hoia koe, i to hokinga mai ki te kainga, ka taea te kite i te mamae ki runga i a koe. Engari You were still the BEEEEEESSSSST Grampa EVER EVER EVER!! I miss you so much it still hurts. I love you, until we meet again.
    Moe mai ra kourua ko Nana Maa's ki roto i nga ringa atawhai o Ihoa o nga mano kororia ki tona ingoa tapu Matu, Tama, Wairua Tapu, me nga Anahera Pono me te Mangai ae.

    Public - Puataata Tia-Ward - Direct descendant - 12 November 2022
    Report 
  • Kei taku Grandpa, kei taku pou tuara. Tangi tonu ana mātou ko tō whānau ki a koe. Ahakoa ngā tau kua pahure e ngau tonu nei te mamae i tō wehenga. Heoi anō, kei kōnei tonu ngā uri ā kōrua ko Nanamas, e mau tonu nei i ā kōrua mahara ki ō mātou ngākau. Moe mai i te moengaroa.
    Public - Lincoln - Direct descendant - 25 April 2020
    Report 

Sources

Sources

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  • External links
  • References
    • Cody, J. (1956). 28 (Maori) Battalion. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch. AWMM
    • Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1945). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 13 (Embarkations from 1st January, 1944 to 31st March, 1944). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer. AWMM
      WW2 13: WW2 79 AWMM
    • Information kindly provided by family AWMM

Contributors

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DateFirst namesLocationRelationshipContact
12 November 2022Puataata Tia-WardAuckland, NZDirect descendant
25 April 2020LincolnGisborne NZDirect descendant

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