Tau Birch

Forenames

Tau AWMM

Surname

Birch AWMM

Also known as

Abraham Taonui Birch & Aperahama Taonui Paoti

Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 21 November 2024 - https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/193932105/abraham-taonui-birch & OBITUARY Northern Advocate, 14 September 1925, Page 4

Service number

WWI 20712 AWMM

Gender

Male AWMM

Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe

Iwi Māori, Māori AWMM

Date of birth

1st March 1893

Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 21 November 2024 - Military Record

Place of birth

Thames

Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 21 November 2024 - Military Record

Birth notes

Son of Walter & Cecilia BIRCH

Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 21 November 2024 - https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/193932319/cecilia-aurelia-birch

Address before enlistment

Whangaruru, Bay of Islands

Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 21 November 2024 - Military Record

Next of kin

Mrs Celia Birch (mother), Punaruku, Whangaruru, New Zealand AWMM

Relationship status

Single

Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 21 November 2024 - Military Record

War

World War I, 1914-1918 AWMM

Armed force / branch

Army AWMM

Service number

WWI 20712 AWMM

Enlistment

WW1 Unknown AWMM Farmer/Civilian AWMM

Embarkation details

WW1 23 Sep 1916-19 Nov 1916 AWMM
HMNZT 65 AWMM Vessel was Pakeha AWMM Private AWMM 8th Reinforcements AWMM Maori Contingent AWMM

Next of Kin: Mr T. Birch, Whangarei (Roll of Honour, Auckland Province 1914-1918 (Volume 1)) AWMM

Death

5 Sept 1925 AWMM

Age at death

32yrs

Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 21 November 2024 - https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/193932105/abraham-taonui-birch

Place of death

Whangaruru North, Whangārei

Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 21 November 2024 - https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/193932105/abraham-taonui-birch

Cemetery name

TokiToki Point Cemetery, Whangaruru North, Whangārei

Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 21 November 2024 - https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/193932105/abraham-taonui-birch

Obituary

TAU BIRCH.
Aperahama Taonui Paoti, well known as Tau Birch, passed away on September 5 at his mother's residence at Whangaruru. He was an ex-member of the Eighth Maori Reinforcements and had served three years in France. The deceased received wounds during the war and had been a great sufferer ever since. The cheerful spirit and great fortitude, shown during his long illness were an inspiration to all who knew him. He was highly respected by both pakehas and natives from varying districts, who assembled at the liui to pay their last tributes to one who had nobly sacrificed his life for his King, country and loved ones. The deceased was accorded a military funeral by his comrades-in-arms resident in the district. The service at the graveside was conducted by Mrs E. A. Jones, native school teacher. Pupils of the Whangaruru native school, of which deceased was an ex-pupil, sang "Mourn for the brave" and "When our heads are bowed with woe" at the graveside. Much sympathy was felt for his sorrowing mother, sisters and brothers. A volley of 55 rounds was fired as the body was lowered into the grave.

Public - Lorraine Mona - Researcher - 21 November 2024 - Northern Advocate, 14 September 1925, Page 4

Memorial name

Auckland War Memorial Museum, World War 1 Hall of Memories AWMM

Related objects

External links

• Military personnel file
  https://collections.archives.govt.nz/web/arena/search/#/entity/aims-archive/R22311354
  Further Reference
• Cowan, J. (1926). The Maoris in the Great War. Auckland, N.Z.: Maori Regimental Committee by Whitcombe & Tombs.
  https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/webarchive/20201108000000/https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-CowMaor.html
  Further Reference

References

• Pugsley, C. (1995). Te Hokowhitu a Tu : the Maori Pioneer Battalion in the first World War. Auckland, N.Z.: Reed.
• New Zealand Army Expeditionary Force. (1917). Nominal Rolls of New Zealand Expeditionary Force Volume II. Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
  41: 40
• Soutar, M. (2019). Whitiki! Whiti! Whiti! E!: Maori In the First World War. New Zealand: David Bateman Ltd.
• Roll of Honour, Auckland Province (digital copy), 1914 - 1919. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS-2016-2.
• Cowan, J. (1926). The Maoris in the Great War. Auckland, N.Z.: Maori Regimental Committee by Whitcombe & Tombs.
• HMNZT 65 - Pakeha : the journal of the Seventeenth Reinforcements H.M.N.Z. Transport 65 (S.S."Pakeha"). Pilling, E.G. (Ewen George), editor. McGhie, J.G. (John Gordon), editor. Bell, R.B. (Robert Brown), editor. -- At sea : Officers and men, 17th Reinforcements : 1916.