EdmundDUFFY16/1384 4th Maori Reinforcements, New Zealand Pioneer Battalion Rarotongan Company < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Edmund Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) DUFFY Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 16/1384 4th Maori Reinforcements, New Zealand Pioneer Battalion Rarotongan Company Also Known As Lavea Date of Birth 18/07/1893 1887 (as per headstone inscription) Place of Birth Nanumea, Tuvalu, Ellice Islands Date of Death 1971 Place of Death Apia, Samoa Death Registration Number Unknown Headstone/Grave Location Samoa Next of Kin A. Duffy (brother), Apia, Samoa Rosa (wife, as per headstone inscirption) His father was of Irish descent, and his mother Cook Islands descent. Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE12408007 Additional Information Enlisted 3 February 1916. Embarked Wellington SS Mokoia 3 May 1916, disembarked Suez 3 May 1916 and then disembarked Southampton, United Kingdom 7 Augut 1916, and posted to New Zealand Pioneer Battalion 9 September 1916. WIA (wounded in action) with a GSW (gun shot wound) to left arm on 10 June 1917 and admitted to 9th Australian Field Ambulance then 32nd Stationary Hospital Wimereux, France. Then moved to 2nd New Zealand General Hospital at Brockenhurst and then to the New Zealand Convalescent Hospital. Rejoined the New Zealand Pioneer Battalion 25 December 1917. Posted to the Rarotongan Company 14 January 1918 and departed for Egypt. Joined the New Zealand Mounted Rifle Bde Training Regiment & Base Depot 15 February 1918 and joined the Rarotongan Company 17 May 1918. Returned to New Zealand via SS Malta. Discharged in New Zealand 7 March 1919. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References Image source: https://digitalnz.org/ (Auckland Libraries Heritage Images Collection) No known copyright restrictions Further Links Previous Next

Learn about the 1919 disturbance involving returned WWI soldiers from the Cook Islands. Learn about their struggle for recognition and justice. The 1919 Returned Soldiers Disturbance The following has been reproduced with the kind permission of Mr Howard Weddell, author of the book “Soldiers from the Pacific”. Published 2015. ISBN 978-0-473-33830-5. Pages 112 - 118. Rarotongans Arrive Home The home coming was no doubt a joyous occasion for the soldiers, their families and the Cook Islands communities. For some, the 1st Contingent, their separation had been three and a half years. During their absence things had changed not only within their personal life but within their families and communities. The soldiers who returned to the Cook Islands in March 1919 were not the men who had earlier left for New Zealand. They had been trained, paid and treated as New Zealand soldiers. They had travelled to the other side of the world. Some had enjoyed Paris and England, all had seen the sights of the land of the bible and others the less salubrious sights of the Wazza in Cairo. They had seen and felt the pressures of war. They were proud of their victory, their achievements, their uniforms and themselves. They were changed. There were many welcomes. The welcomes both traditional and formal provided feasts and bush beer was plentiful. After their final pay the men were wealthy. Disturbance The political administration of the islands had been altered in 1916 which reduced the level of self-governance and consultation with native Cook Islanders and strengthened the direct administration from New Zealand. This had a tendency to disenfranchise the local native islander from the Cook Islands Administration and assisted in the creation of a 'them and us' society. Within the Cook Islands an established business cartel of traders had attempted to control the supply of produce from the Cook Islands and control production costs. Whilst profitable to them, the financial impact upon the islands was severe as costs had increased significantly over the years and the Cook Islands' internal inflation was higher than New Zealand's. The traders were aggressive in maintaining this level of control and resentment was evident within the Cook Island population, especially with those growing fruit and crops. The exploitation of growers by the traders was formally reported upon by the Resident Commissioner, Mr FW Platts. (Reference: Dick Scott, Years of the Pooh-Bah , Hodder & Stoughton, 1991, p145.) As part of the army's discharge procedure each soldier was given a voucher for £5 5s to be used to buy clothing such as a civilian suit. When these were presented in Rarotonga a few of the local traders attempted to require soldiers to spend the entire value of the voucher in their shop and refused to transfer any uncashed balance. The soldiers, who had experienced trading in the bazaars of Egypt and Palestine, took umbrage at this attempt to profit at their expense. Manifested from a number of grievances and circumstances, the umbrage grew into a disturbance that for some, was a demonstration of semi-political activism, frustration, revenge and outright hooliganism. However they were still under martial discipline. In his report to the Commandant of the New Zealand Forces on 16 March 1919 Captain Bush described the situation and the result: Sir, I beg to report the arrival at Rarotonga of my unit on the afternoon of 3 inst [March]. During the voyage there was no sickness, and instructions as to spraying and inhalation were carried out daily. The troops were given a very hearty reception by the residents, both white and native, and the whole week was spent in attending native welcomes at the different villages. I regret very much to say that at all these gatherings there was ample evidence of bush beer drinking, among both the returned soldiers and civilian natives. The men were paid up on Wednesday and Thursday 5th & 6th and the sum of £4711 was distributed, out of which there was only about £1000 lodged in the Savings Bank. Up to Saturday 8th inst., the behaviour of the men was very good, and there was not the slightest evidence of trouble brewing. On Sunday 9th we had a large Church Parade when the unit's colours were blessed and handed to the custody of the Church. After the service myself and officers went to a picnic at the invitation of some of the white residents. On returning to Avarua we heard that some shops had been looted by soldiers and civilians and I immediately went to Jagger & Harvey's store and found that it had been burgled. Corporal Kaitara Toto informed me that he had tried to prevent the crime but could not owing to the numbers opposing him, but was able to identity the leaders, or at least some of them. of them. I immediately placed a Guard on Jaggers store and then sent messages to all the villages warning the men to parade first thing next morning. Corporal Kaitara was rather brutally assaulted by two men, a soldier and a civilian native and had to be taken to the hospital. On Monday morning there was a very good muster of the Unit and several men were identified and brought before the Court charged with burglary and breaking and entering, and theft. So far six men have been tried and in three cases there was sufficient evidence to convict. Two men have received terms of five years imprisonment to be served in New Zealand, one man has been found guilty and remanded for sentence, while the man who assaulted Corporal Kaitara was fined £10 and six months imprisonment. There are still several more cases to come before the Court, and when these are dealt with I hope to have all the leaders roped in. The situation on Sunday night was critical, but since the matter has been taken in hand by the Military there has been no further disturbance except a broken window, caused by a single man on his way home under the influence of drink. Thursday 13th inst saw the Atiu and Mauke portion of the unit away and this relieved the situation considerably as there were several very bad characters among them, but with no evidence against them. I really do not anticipate any further organised outbreak. I understand the natives have several grievances against the white traders, but these are matters for the Resident Commissioner to deal with, and I have been concerned purely with the Military aspects of the case and maintaining the Law and Order. I have taken all orders from the Resident Commissioner and feel that he is satisfied with what we have done up to the present. The great majority of the men have responded loyally to the call to duty and we have had ample numbers for Patrol purposes and for guarding the Gaol which was threatened on Monday last. Lieutenants Tangney and Gibbons have rendered me every possible assistance and have carried out their duties in a loyal and untiring manner. I would respectfully bring to your notice the loyalty of Corpl. Kaitara Toto, through whose gameness and devotion to duty we have found it possible to bring at least some of the offenders to justice. There are two Rarotongans in Wellington, one 19293 Pte. Raki Punoua at present in Featherston hospital, and 19306 Pte. Pani Turua who was absent without leave when the Paloona sailed. As both of these men are very bad characters I would strongly recommend that they be discharged in New Zealand, and so keep them out of the islands where they could make trouble with little or no Police interference. The Resident Commissioner has instructed me to remain here with my officers in the meantime. I trust there will be no further trouble. I do not anticipate it. In addition to our returned soldiers about 30 native 'specials' [Special Constables] and about 35 white 'specials' have been sworn in for duty. I should like to say Sir, that there were native civilians as well as returned soldiers concerned in these troubles. (Reference: Archives New Zealand, AD1, 770, Record 22/239. Courts Martial & Courts of Inquiry - Discipline - Rarotongans.) As described by the Resident Commissioner: In the evening of Sunday a crowd of about 70 men, nearly all returned soldiers, attacked one of the largest stores on the Island. They burst open the doors and windows, smashed the shop fittings, and looted or destroyed the contents. They indicated their intention of looting the remaining stores and spirit bond. For twenty four hours the settlement was at the mercy of the rioters. By Monday night however we had formed a strong body of Native special constables, a number of better behaved soldiers had placed themselves under their officers and practically every white man on the Island had offered their services and was sworn in as a special constable. (Reference: Report on the Rarotonga Riots by Resident Commissioner Mr FW Platts to the New Zealand House of Representatives, 10
September 1919.) The effect of the disturbance upon the Cook Island Administration was profound. On the morning after the disturbance the Resident Commissioner cabled the Governor of the French Colonies of Oceania and Papeete asking if they could assist the Cook Islands by providing the French Dispatch Boat Kersaint . This support did not occur as the Kersaint had accidentally run aground in the French Territories and was not available. The French Consul General based in Auckland formally apologised to the Governor General of New Zealand that this support was unavailable. In order to maintain order the Resident Commissioner FW Platts swore in some of the white residents and soldiers as Special Constables, 40 in total, and agreed to pay 10s per night as well as provide their rations. These special constables were on duty from 10 through to 27 March 1919. Their role was to provide a presence and guard sensitive areas such as Government buildings and locations such as the Bond Store and Jagger & Harvey's general store. Detachments of this Constabulary were maintained at Titikaveka, Avarua, Arorangi and Tiniraus. In providing these special constables the Island Administration incurred additional costs which totalled £515 14s 8d which the Cook Islands Administration had not budgeted for. A special sitting of the Cook Islands Courts was held and on 19 March 1919 20 men were charged with 12 found guilty of a variety of crimes. The Resident Commissioner advised Wellington that as well as convictions and sentences to be served in Rarotonga, some of the ring leaders of the disturbance had been convicted, and due to the length of their sentence would be transported to New Zealand to serve their sentences. The news of the incident reached the public of New Zealand and was widely reported in exaggerated form. As reported in the Wellington newspaper Evening Post : Rarotongan Soldiers - Men Wreck Shops and Stores, News from Rarotonga stated that three hundred returned Native soldiers broke into the shops and stores, which were wrecked, and took away or damaged goods to the value of 1,000. The sergeant of police quelled the disturbance with his revolver. The steamer Flora was commandeered to convey the soldiers to their homes in the various islands. (Reference: Evening Post, 24 March 1919, p11) Two of the ring leaders were quickly transported to New Zealand. On 25 March 1919 the New Zealand Provost Marshall advised the assistant Provost Marshall in Wellington that he would be required to have military police meet the vessel SS Moana . They were to take in to custody John Ropu and Metua Paitai who had been each sentenced to imprisonment in New Zealand for burglary by night and breaking and entering Jagger & Harvey's store in Rarotonga. The military police escorted them to HM Prison in Wellington prior to being moved Invercargill. The Provost Marshall also instructed that the military escorts should be armed. (Reference: Archives NZ, AD1, 770, Record 22/239. Letter to AMP Wellington from Provost Marshall, 25 March 1919.) Two further rioters were identified, Mouturi and Iona Toroa, who were sentenced to serve imprisonment in Rarotonga jail for rioting and damaging property. A month later the Resident Commissioner advised Wellington that the conduct of the returned soldiers was satisfactory. The Administration had completed all the prosecutions and a further four more prisoners had been dispatched on SS Paloona to serve their sentence in New Zealand. He also noted that a number of the soldiers had married since their return and that this should "help steady them" and he expected no further trouble. Tellingly he identified a cause of the grievances that led to the disturbance as: One grave mistake that led to a lot of trouble, was the issue here of some 240 Mufti-orders for civilian clothing to the value of £5 5s in each case. The idea was to supply one good suit to each man. These orders certainly should have been issued in New Zealand. Anyone who has seen the men's clothing stocked in the island stores here, know how difficult it would be to find even half a dozen decent suits in the whole lot. But there were 240 five guinea suits orders. Some stores supplied a few articles and gave the soldiers change for the balance unexpended. Others refused to give any change, and, having once got the order, insisted that the soldiers should take the full value of the order in clothing. Naturally there was a great deal of waste and much dissatisfaction amongst the men. (Reference: Archives NZ, AD1, 770, Record 22/239. Memorandum to Minister in Charge Cook Islands Administration from Resident Commissioner, 17 April 1919.) The Resident Commissioner obviously identified the issues surrounding a very limited number of traders vying for vouchers that could only be cashed through traders for clothing. The amount was not insignificant as in 2015 inflation figures the value for the 240 clothing vouchers approximates to $125,000. A total of £1,230 was paid to traders whose stores were looted. Initially the military was reluctant to take responsibility for the cost as it was suggested that it was a civil disturbance however it was quickly pointed out that the soldiers were in fact on disembarkation leave until their final formal discharge on 20 March 1919. This damage was paid from the New Zealand Defence 1919 and 1920 Treasury supplements. In 1920 the Island Administration was still faced with unbudgeted expenditure of £515 14s 8d. As a number of individuals had been convicted on various charges or who were suspected of crimes resulting from the disturbance, it was proposed to Defence that these men should not be paid their war gratuity. Instead the gratuity should be transferred to the Island Administration as recompense for the costs incurred by the disturbance. This was agreed and the money, which had just been deposited into the soldiers Post Office accounts in Auckland, for the seven convicted ex-soldiers totalled £326 7s 9d and their accounts were frozen. However before this could be completed, both Mauturi Metuamate and Toroa Tongia had withdrawn all money deposited in their names which totalled £98 38 9d. It was not until July 1922 that Defence finally credited the Post Office with this loss. On board SS Paloona on the voyage to Rarotonga in 1919. L to R, Lieutenant Tangney, Captain Bush and Lieutenant Gibbons. Photo with the permission of Keith Sedon & Marjorie Sedon. Rarotongan Company Officers after being formally welcomed onto the Island March 1919. L to R, Lieutenant Gibbons, Captain Bush and Lieutenant Tangney. Photo with the permission of Keith Sedon & Marjorie Sedon.

Discover the graves of WWI soldiers in Rarotonga with our detailed GPS coordinates map. Remember their sacrifice and pay your respects. Click on the tab below left to expand the list of names, or click on the tab below right to view a larger map

Find the graves of WWI soldiers in Aitutaki using our detailed GPS map. Pay tribute to their bravery and remember their contribution to our history. Click on the tab below left to expand the list of names, or click on the tab below right to view a larger map

Search Results 775 items found for "" Oscar, MEREDITH | Cook Islands Online Cenotaph < Back Final rank: Lance Corporal First name/s Oscar Last name MEREDITH Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 16/1375 4th Māori Reinforcements, New Zealand Pioneer Battalion Rarotongan Company Also known as Oscar Hammerell MEREDITH Date of birth 25/09/1885 (as per war service record) Place of birth Apia, Samoa Date of death 1922 Place of death Savaii, Samoa Death registration number Unknown Headstone/grave location Unknown Next of kin Mr Meredith (father), Apia, Samoa Mrs Nellie Meredith (wife) Aunchy Thomas Meredith (son) born 07/04/1920 Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE12467517 Additional information Enlisted on arrival in New Zealand. Brother of Frank Meredith 16/1376a and as he was of mixed race, he was directed to be trained at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp. Enlisted at Trentham 5 January 1916 and followed same deployment as Frank. When in France had numerous medical admissions for the treatment of bronchitis. Transferred to the Rarotongan Company 14 January 1918 and posted to it on 15 February 1918. Admitted to 2nd Australian Stationary Hospital, Moascar 22 March 1918 with bronchitis and medically boarded as unfit 4 May 1918. Invalided to New Zealand 11 July 1918 HMT Port Darwin. Discharged medically unfit 20 October 1918. Died in Savaii, Samoa 1922 from an accidental self-inflicted gun injury. Images and documents Image credits and references Newspaper article source: https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/SAMZ19220310.2.12 ​ Further links https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE14546765 Previous Next Namiro, MAUORE | Cook Islands Online Cenotaph < Back Final rank: Private First name/s Namiro Last name MAUORE Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 60657 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as ​ Date of birth 27 years of age on enlistment Place of birth Raiatea, Society Islands (French Polynesia) Date of death 03/08/1943 Place of death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death registration number RARO19430241 Headstone/grave location Nikao Cemetery, Nikao, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Next of kin Ngametua Mauore (wife), Rarotonga Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE11319595 Additional information Enlistment papers indicate he was a French National born in Raiatea but was resident in Rarotonga. He was in New Zealand 16 February 1918 and enlisted 12 March 1918 at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp Auckland New Zealand. Embarked 13 June 1918 aboard SS Manuka in Wellington, NZ and disembarked per SS Port Lyttleton in Suez 4 August 1918 and marched in to the Training Regiment. Transferred to Rarotongan Company 20 September 1918. Admitted to 48th Stationary Hospital with measles 23 October 1918. Embarked for New Zealand per SS Malta 14 December 1918 and discharged 20 March 1919. Pte Mauore’s first wife, Ngametua died 24th April 1923 aged 27 years while giving birth to twins. The twins died nearly a month later. In March 2017, Paula Paniani found the grave of Pte Namiro Mauore in the Nikao cemetery (Nikao Cemetery Restoration Project Rarotonga). Fortunately Pte Mauore’s name was carved into his memorial. There was a slight error in the spelling of the surname - "Mauore" vs "Mouore". On Anzac Day 2017, Paula braved the hot Rarotonga sun to single-handedly re-plaster and paint this soldiers resting place. Pte Namiro Mauore’s official military headstone memorial was unveiled on April 24 2021. Here is a link to the livestream of the headstone unveiling service: https://fb.watch/778pO_Jvhe/ Images and documents Image credits and references N/A ​ Further links N/A Previous Next Tinirau, RANGIMAKEA | Cook Islands Online Cenotaph < Back Final rank: Private First name/s Tinirau Last name RANGIMAKEA Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 60730 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as ​ Date of birth 19 years of age on enlistment Place of birth Rarotonga, Cook Islands Date of death 03/01/1962 (as per military headstone) Place of death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death registration number Unknown Headstone/grave location Arorangi, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Next of kin Rangimakea (father), Avarua, Rarotonga Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE19570933 Additional information Enlisted in Rarotonga 4 February 1918. Embarked on SS Manuka at Wellington 13 June 1918 and disembarked Sydney 24 June 1918. Embarked on SS Port Lyttleton at Sydney 24 June 1918, and disembarked Suez 4 August 1918. Posted to the Rarotongan Company 18 September 1918. Returned to New Zealand on SS Malta 14 December 1918 and discharged 20 March 1919. Images and documents Image credits and references N/A ​ Further links N/A Previous Next Pati, MAROTAI | Cook Islands Online Cenotaph < Back Final rank: Private First name/s Pati Last name MAROTAI Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 60733 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as ​ Date of birth About 19 years of age on enlistment Place of birth Atiu, Cook Islands Date of death 04/05/1974 Place of death Atiu, Cook Islands Death registration number ATIU19740005 Headstone/grave location Unknown Next of kin Metua (sister) Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE11414011 Additional information Attested at Rarotonga 4 February 1918 and enlisted 12 March 1918 at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp Auckland New Zealand. Admitted to ships hospital 26 June 1918. Disembarked at Suez 4 August 1918. Posted to Training Regiment, Ismailia 4 August 1918 and transferred to Rarotongan Company 18 September 1918. Embarked for New Zealand on SS Malta 14 December 1918 and discharged 20 March 1919. Images and documents Image credits and references N/A ​ Further links N/A Previous Next Takaia, PUATI | Cook Islands Online Cenotaph < Back Final rank: Private First name/s Takaia Last name PUATI Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 60664 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as ​ Date of birth 23 years of age on enlistment Place of birth Rarotonga, Cook Islands Date of death 07/05/1968 Place of death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death registration number RARO19680037 Headstone/grave location Tikioki, Titikaveka, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Next of kin Tu John (mother), Puati John (father). Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE11246191 Additional information Attested 4 February 1918 at Rarotonga and enlisted 12 March 1918 at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp Auckland New Zealand. Disembarked at Suez ex SS Port Lyttleton 14 August 1918. Posted to Rarotongan Company 18 September 1918. Admitted to hospital 4 November 1918 and evacuated to 48th Stationary Hospital, Gaza 10 November 1918 and discharged from hospital 15 November 1918. Embarked for New Zealand on SS Malta 14 December 1918 and discharged 20 March 1919. Buried in an unmarked grave in the same family cemetery as his brother Pte Piri PUATI 60723. Exact grave location unknown. Images and documents Image credits and references N/A ​ Further links N/A Previous Next Kapi, PUTOKO | Cook Islands Online Cenotaph < Back Final rank: Private First name/s Kapi Last name PUTOKO Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 60759 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as ​ Date of birth 29 years of age on enlistment Place of birth Rarotonga, Cook Islands Date of death 20/07/1943 Place of death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death registration number RARO19430232 Headstone/grave location Arorangi, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Next of kin Vainetaae Putoko (wife), Putoko (father), Raera (mother) Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE11247001 Additional information Enlisted at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp Auckland New Zealand 12 March 1918 and embarked from Wellington 13 June 1918. Disembarked at Suez 4 August 1918 and posted to the Rarotongan Company 18 September 1918. Reported sick 24 October 1918 and transferred from Haifa on Hospital Ship Assaye 7 November 1918. Disembarked at Alexandria and admitted to hospital at Abbassia. Embarked on SS Malta 14 December 1918 for New Zealand and discharged 20 March 1919. Images and documents Image credits and references N/A ​ Further links N/A Previous Next Teokotai, TAOPUA | Cook Islands Online Cenotaph < Back Final rank: Private First name/s Teokotai Last name TAOPUA Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 60780 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as ​ Date of birth 19 years of age on enlistment Place of birth Rarotonga, Cook Islands Date of death 14/09/1945 Place of death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death registration number RARO19450155 Headstone/grave location Takuvaine Valley Cemetery, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Next of kin Taopua (father), Parekura, Rarotonga Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE18588457 Additional information Enlisted 12 March 1918 and served with the NZ Mounted Rifle Bde. Training Regiment and Base Depot. Returned to New Zealand on SS Malta 14 December 1918 and discharged 20 March 1919. Images and documents Image credits and references N/A ​ Further links N/A Previous Next Mata, ANGENE | Cook Islands Online Cenotaph < Back Final rank: Lance Corporal First name/s Mata Last name ANGENE Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 19264 2nd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as ​ Date of birth 01/01/1896 Place of birth Atiu, Cook Islands Date of death 24/01/1975 Place of death Auckland, New Zealand Death registration number NZ1975/25951 Headstone/grave location Waikumete Cemetery, Auckland, New Zealand Next of kin Angene (father), Rarotonga, Cook Islands Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE11477396 Additional information Enlisted 1 June 1916 in Rarotonga. Embarked on SS Manuka 16 November 1916 and disembarked in Egypt 17 December 1916. Posted to the New Zealand Mounted Rifle Bde Training Regiment and Base Depot 10 March 1917 and to the Rarotongan Company September 1917. Admitted to 27th General Hospital at Abbassia from 17 to 23 August 1918. Posted to Rarotongan Company 1 October 1918. Transferred to the 44th Stationary Hospital 13 to 19 October 1918. Embarked for New Zealand on SS Malta 14 December 1918 and discharged 20 March 1919. Name not listed on Atiu cenotaph April 2019. Images and documents Image credits and references N/A ​ Further links N/A Previous Next Bob, SIMIONA | Cook Islands Online Cenotaph < Back Final rank: Private First name/s Bob Last name SIMIONA Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 60771 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as Bob ELEAZARA Date of birth 01/04/1898 Place of birth Aitutaki, Cook Islands Date of death 16/11/1952 Place of death Aitutaki, Cook Islands Death registration number AITU19520025 Headstone/grave location Tautu Road, Tautu, Aitutaki, Cook Islands Next of kin Joseph Simiona (father) (aka Joseph Simiona – Eleazala), Aitutaki, Cook Islands, Teina Ati (mother) Atiu Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE10397491 Additional information Enlisted in Rarotonga 4 February 1918 and at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp 12 March 1918. Embarked from New Zealand 13 June 1918 and disembarked at Suez 4 August 1918. Posted to the NZ Mounted Rifle and Training Regiment and Base Depot. Admitted to 2nd Australian Stationary Hospital from 23 October 1918 to 2 November 1918 and admitted to the Rest Camp in Port Said. Embarked for New Zealand on SS Malta 14 December 1918. Discharged on 20 March 1919. Images and documents Image credits and references N/A ​ Further links N/A Previous Next Tere, TUAINE | Cook Islands Online Cenotaph < Back Final rank: Private First name/s Tere Last name TUAINE Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 20841 New Zealand Māori (Pioneer) Battalion, Rarotongan Company Also known as Tere-ora-metua Otua’u Te Pore Date of birth 1893 Place of birth Aitutaki, Cook Islands Date of death 11/09/1963 Place of death Whakatane, New Zealand Death registration number NZ1963/27939 Headstone/grave location Raetihi Urupa, Whanganui, New Zealand Next of kin Metua (mother), Tautu, Aitutaki, Cook Islands Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE21345462 Additional information Enlisted 24 July 1916 in New Zealand as he was previously employed with the Union Steamship Co. Ltd. Embarked from New Zealand for Egypt 16 November 1916. At port and coaling stops in Australia he missed the boat at Melbourne and was sent to Adelaide to rejoin the ship. Disembarked from SS Malwa in Suez 27 December 1916 and posted to NZ Mounted Rifle Bde Training Regiment and Base Depot. Posted to the Rarotongan Company 5 March 1918. Returned on SS Malta and discharged in New Zealand 7 March 1919. Images and documents Image credits and references Restored portrait image supplied by descendant Christine Hirawani ​ Further links N/A Previous Next Raitia, TEPURETU | Cook Islands Online Cenotaph < Back Final rank: Sergeant First name/s Raitia Last name TEPURETU Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 16/1200 1st Rarotongan Contingent Also known as Araitia TEPURETU Tepuretu ARAITIA Mataiapo Date of birth 1892 Place of birth Rarotonga, Cook Islands Date of death 12/06/1984 Place of death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death registration number RARO19840031A Headstone/grave location Tupapa, Rarotonga, Cook Islands (at the family home on the back road) Next of kin Metua R Tepureta (Tepuretu) (wife), Avarua, Rarotonga (Matakeu on headstone) Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE10769052 Additional information Employed in Rarotonga as Assistant Postmaster. Enlisted in Rarotonga 25 September 1915. Disembarked in Suez 15 March 1916 to embark for France on 9 April 1916. Wounded in Action (WIA) with gun shot wound to leg, thigh and left shoulder 29 September 1916. Admitted to 1st South General Hospital, Birmingham, and then on 17 March 1917 to the New Zealand General Hospital, Hornchurch. Embarked for New Zealand on SS Arawa 10 January 1918.Treated in Wellington Hospital and discharged 13 April 1918. Served as President of the Cook Islands RSA for many years. Awarded the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 1967. Images and documents Image credits and references N/A ​ Further links N/A Previous Next Bob, NGATAMA | Cook Islands Online Cenotaph < Back Final rank: Private First name/s Bob Last name NGATAMA Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 60772 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as Papu NGATAMA Date of birth 20 years of age on enlistment Place of birth Mauke, Cook Islands Date of death 23/11/1927 Place of death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death registration number RARO19270937 Headstone/grave location Headstone memorial: Muri, Ngatangiia, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Next of kin Akae (mother) Atiu, Ngatama (father) Mauke, Cook Islands, Tangi (wife) Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE10877268 Additional information Enlisted at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp 12 March 1918. Embarked at Wellington 13 June 1918 to disembark at Suez 4 August 1918 to join the New Zealand Mounted Rifle Bde Training Regiment and Base Depot at Moascar. Posted to the Rarotongan Company 18 September 1918. Developed Influenza and was transferred to the 110th Field Ambulance 17 October 1918 and the 24th Stationary Hospital at Kantara and then the 27th Stationary Hospital, Abbassia 20 October 1918. Embarked for New Zealand on SS Malta 14 December 1918 and discharged 20 March 1919. Date of death: 23/11/1927 (as per Cook Islands death register) 24/11/1927 (as per military headstone) Our team have received information which leads us to believe that this headstone and the neighbouring headstone of Pte Tua Tafifiura were moved from the graves, and the graves were subsequently cleared during the construction of the Muri Beach Club Hotel. Images and documents Image credits and references N/A ​ Further links N/A Previous Next Tekapo, TEREPAI | Cook Islands Online Cenotaph < Back Final rank: Private First name/s Tekapo Last name TEREPAI Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 84540 4th Rarotongan Contingent Also known as Terepai TAKAPO Date of birth 19 years of age on enlistment Place of birth Atiu, Cook Islands Date of death 27/12/1980 Place of death Atiu, Cook Islands Death registration number ATIU19800001 Headstone/grave location Grave located at Ngatiarua Village, Atiu, Cook Islands Headstone located elsewhere in Ngatiarua, Atiu, Cook Islands Next of kin Terepai (father), Kairangi (mother) Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE19711648 Additional information Enlisted 12 June 1918 in Rarotonga and disembarked per SS Paloona at Wellington 22 June 1918. Discharged 7 December 1918. Birth parents as per information received from descendants: Kareora (mother) and Taereterongo (father) Images and documents Image credits and references N/A ​ Further links N/A Previous Next Atini, OKORE | Cook Islands Online Cenotaph < Back Final rank: Private First name/s Atini Last name OKORE Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 84504 4th Rarotongan Contingent Also known as Ahsin OKORE Date of birth 18 years of age on enlistment Place of birth Aitutaki, Cook Islands Date of death 21/01/1976 Place of death Tokoroa, New Zealand Death registration number NZ1976/33803 Headstone/grave location Tokoroa Cemetery, Tokoroa, New Zealand Next of kin Maine Teaukura (Maine Okore) (wife) Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE9983751 Additional information Enlisted at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp Auckland New Zealand 10 July 1918. Discharged 7 December 1918. Emigrated to New Zealand 1957 under the name of Ahsin Okore. Images and documents Image credits and references N/A ​ Further links N/A Previous Next Kairenga, AUPINI | Cook Islands Online Cenotaph < Back Final rank: Private First name/s Kairenga Last name AUPINI Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 19231 2nd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as Aupini KAIRENGA Tama HAUPINI Date of birth 1892 Place of birth Manihiki, Cook Islands Date of death 12/07/1947 Place of death Rakahanga, Cook Islands/Manihiki, Cook Islands Death registration number Unknown Headstone/grave location Memorial headstone location: Rakahanga Next of kin Kairenga Tama (father), Rakahanga, Cook Islands Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE10305196 Additional information Enlisted in Rarotonga 1 July 1916. Arrived in Egypt 27 December 1918 and attached to the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Bde Training Regiment and Base Depot. Posted to the Rarotongan Company 18 September 1918. Embarked for New Zealand 14 December 1918 on the SS Malta and discharged 20 March 1919. Cook Islands Roll of Honour Board records his name as “A. Kairenga” Date of death: 12/07/1947. Died at sea with wife and three adopted children while sailing from Rakahanga, Cook Islands to Manihiki, Cook Islands. All occupants considered drowned and bodies never recovered. Cook Islands Roll of Honour board at RSA Nikao Rarotonga lists his name as “A Kairenga” Images and documents Image credits and references Document courtesy of National Archives Cook Islands ​ Further links N/A Previous Next Mologa, AH MU | Cook Islands Online Cenotaph < Back Final rank: Private First name/s Mologa Last name AH MU Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 16/1405 4th Māori Reinforcements, New Zealand Pioneer Battalion Rarotongan Company Also known as Moronae Mologa AH MU Maloga AH MU Date of birth 16/02/1894 Place of birth Vaitele, Tuamasaga, Upolu, Samoa Date of death 22/10/1961 Place of death Vaitele, Tuamasaga, Upolu, Samoa Death registration number Unknown Headstone/grave location Samoa Next of kin Mrs 'Ai'fai Ah Mu (wife), Apia, Samoa (as per war service record) Jane Genevieve Taylor (wife) Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE9881826 Additional information Enlisted 5 January 1916 at Trentham before training at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp. Disembarked at Suez 23 June 1916 to embark from Alexandra 26 July 1917 for Southampton, United Kingdom 26 July 1916 to arrive 7 August 1916. Left United Kingdom and joined the New Zealand Pioneer Battalion in the field in France on 28 August 1916. He was admitted to 1st Australian Field Ambulance between 9 December 1916 to 17 December 1916 with bronchitis and also the 2nd New Zealand Field Ambulance between 28 December 1916 to 21 January 1917 with bronchitis. On 14 January 1918 he was transferred to the Rarotongan Depot in Egypt and embarked from Marseille 21 January 1918. He arrived at the Rarotongan Company in Palestine 7 March 1918. Embarked on SS Malta 14 December 1918. Discharged 23 March 1919 to return to Samoa on SS Talune. Images and documents Image credits and references Portrait image source: https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C69341 Portrait of Private Mologa Ah Mu (16/1405) at left, 4th Maori Contingent and Private James Swanney (16/1419) at right, 4th Maori Contingent. Portrait taken in Auckland sometime between attestation on 03 February 1916 and departure on 05 May 1916 for the SS Mokoia / HMNZT 52 in Wellington. Photographer: Percival Kingsford Daws (1872-1939), The Crown Studios, 266 Queen Street, Auckland. Image kindly provided from the Christina Heath collection. Image has no known copyright restrictions. ​ Further links ​ Previous Next John, COULL | Cook Islands Online Cenotaph < Back Final rank: Second Lieutenant First name/s John Last name COULL Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 22541 11th & 17th Māori Reinforcements 2nd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as ​ Date of birth 01/03/1884 Place of birth Aberdeen, Scotland Date of death 20/5/1963 Place of death Whanganui, New Zealand Death registration number NZ1963/42166 Headstone/grave location Aramoho Cemetery, Whanganui, New Zealand Next of kin George Coull (father), Saint John's Hill, Wanganui, New Zealand Mrs Elizabeth Mary Coull (wife), Auckland Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE12391069 Additional information Enlisted at Trentham Camp 26 October 1915. Posted as 2nd Lieutenant to Narrow Neck Military Training Camp 24 July 1916 with Bush and Fromm and selected as a Reinforcement Officer for the 2nd Rarotongan Contingent 1 November 1916. Disembarked Egypt 27 December 1916 and posted to Rarotongan Company 28 December 1916 as a Platoon Commander. Tried by General Court Martial in Egypt September 1917 for drunkenness and found not guilty. He was the subject of an adverse report from Captain Bush and General Chaytor on his character and behaviour and he was returned to New Zealand on 25 October 1917. Discharged 9 January 1918 "service not required". Images and documents Image credits and references Headstone image source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/236771754/john-coull ​ Further links https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE10060215 Previous Next James Clarence, GRIFFITH | Cook Islands Online Cenotaph < Back Final rank: 2nd Lieutenant First name/s James Clarence Last name GRIFFITH Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 12/2580 Auckland Infantry Battalion Royal Flying Corps Also known as ​ Date of birth 12/02/1893 Place of birth Auckland, New Zealand Date of death 14/08/1970 Place of death Hūnua, Auckland, New Zealand Death registration number NZ1970/46780 Headstone/grave location Papakura Cemetery, Auckland, New Zealand Lawn Row K, Plot 38 Next of kin Rev S. Griffith, Dunedin, New Zealand (father) Ivy Scott Griffith (wife) Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE11414268 Additional information Address and employer before enlistment: A. B. Donald Ltd., Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Travelled to New Zealand from Rarotonga in March 1915 and in April 1915 enlisted at Trentham Military Training Camp, Trentham, Upper Hutt, near Wellington New Zealand. He was discharged from the Auckland Infantry to a commission in the Royal Flying Corps in September 1916. Shot down over hostile territory 12 July 1917 and was recorded as a Prisoner of War in Karlsruhe, and later in Augustabad, Bei Nau-Brandenburg and in Schweidnitz, Schlesien. Repatriated to New Zealand 25 December 1918. Images and documents Image credits and references https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C44730 ​ Further links https://www.specialcollections.auckland.ac.nz/ww1-centenary/collegians-at-war/prisoners-war https://www.specialcollections.auckland.ac.nz/ww1-centenary/roll-of-honour/search?page=576 Previous Next Previous 1 2 3 4 5 ... 44 Next

< Back Final rank: Private First name/s Tauei Last name ISSACS Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 5th Rarotongan Contingent Also known as Tauei ISAAKA Date of birth 24 years of age on enlistment Place of birth Aitutaki, Cook Islands Date of death 22/05/1971 Place of death Aitutaki, Cook Islands Death registration number AITU19710009 Next of kin Younger brother of Corporal Soloman ISAACS 16/1033 Headstone/grave location Piritia, Aitutaki, Cook Islands Archives New Zealand online service record Additional information Unmarked grave. No online war service record Images and documents Image credits and references N/A ​ Further links N/A Previous Next

< Back Final rank: Corporal First name/s Soloman Last name ISSACS Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 16/1033 1st Rarotongan Contingent Also known as Solomona ISAACS Solomana ISAAKA Date of birth 21/12/1894 (as per service record) Place of birth Aitutaki, Cook Islands Date of death 03/09/1923 Place of death Aitutaki, Cook Islands Death registration number AITU19230304 Next of kin Henry Issacs (father) Headstone/grave location Family Plot, Tautu, Aitutaki, Cook Islands Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE9910777 Additional information Older brother of Private Tauei ISAACS 5th Rarotongan Contingent Images and documents Image credits and references N/A ​ Further links N/A Previous Next

< Back Final rank: Private First name/s John Everett Otis Rautuarii Last name WINCHESTER Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 84585 4th Rarotongan Contingent Also known as N/A Date of birth 29/03/1899 Place of birth Tahiti, Society Islands (French Polynesia) Date of death 1963 Place of death Unknown Death registration number Unknown Next of kin Joseph Winchester (father), Society Islands (French Polynesia) Headstone/grave location Unknown Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE21012085 Additional information N/A Images and documents Image credits and references N/A Further links N/A Previous Next

< Back Final rank: Private First name/s Taoro Last name TONGIA Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 60776 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as N/A Date of birth 20 years of age on enlistment Place of birth Rarotonga, Cook Islands Date of death 29/06/1968 Place of death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death registration number RARO19680052 Next of kin Tongia (father) Headstone/grave location Ruatonga, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE9912320 Additional information Unmarked grave (April 2024) Images and documents Image credits and references N/A Further links N/A Previous Next

< Back Final rank: Private First name/s Pora Last name TUTAI Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 19326 2nd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as Tutai PORA Tangata Tutai PORA Paora TUTAI Date of birth 08/02/1893 (as per headstone) Place of birth Atiu, Cook Islands Date of death 25/07/1951 Place of death Atiu, Cook Islands Death registration number ATIU19510010 Next of kin Ua (wife), Atiu, Cook Islands Headstone/grave location Ngatiarua, Atiu, Cook Islands Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE21354273 Additional information Date of death: 25/07/1951 (as per Cook Islands death register) 23/07/1951 (as per headstone inscription) Images and documents Image credits and references N/A Further links N/A Previous Next

< Back Final rank: Private First name/s Tai Last name NICHOLAS Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 60677 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as Tai KAITARA Date of birth 22 years of age on enlistment Place of birth Rarotonga, Cook Islands Date of death 11/01/1946 Place of death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death registration number RARO19460170 Next of kin N/A Headstone/grave location Ruatonga, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE19805340 Additional information N/A Images and documents Image credits and references N/A Further links N/A Previous Next

< Back Final rank: L/Cpl First name/s Putua Last name KAINUKU Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 60800 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as N/A Date of birth 07/08/1896 Place of birth Rarotonga, Cook Islands Date of death 09/07/1964 Place of death Tahiti Death registration number Unknown Next of kin Teatuanui Kainuku Vaine (wife) Headstone/grave location Uranie Cemetery, Tipaerui, Papeete, Taihiti, French Polynesia Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE10008630 Additional information N/A Images and documents Image credits and references No known copyright restrictions Further links N/A Previous Next

< Back Final rank: Private First name/s Pani Last name TURUA Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 19306 2nd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as Turua PANI Date of birth 1893 Place of birth Penrhyn, Cook Islands Date of death Unknown Place of death Unknown Death registration number Unknown Next of kin Pani (father), Penrhyn, Cook Islands Headstone/grave location Unknown Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE21354010 Additional information N/A Images and documents Image credits and references N/A Further links N/A Previous Next

< Back Final rank: Private First name/s Tangiia Last name TEAITU Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 60652 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as N/A Date of birth 1881 (as per civilian headstone) Place of birth Aitutaki, Cook Islands Date of death 14/05/1971 Place of death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death registration number RARO1971037A Next of kin Tangimetua Teaitu (wife), Titikaveka, Rarotonga Headstone/grave location Behind the Cook Islands Christian Church, Avarua, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE9798410 Additional information N/A Images and documents Image credits and references N/A Further links N/A Previous Next

< Back Final rank: Private First name/s Teariki Takina Last name TEARIAROA Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 60707 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as N/A Date of birth 26 years of age on enlistment Place of birth Mauke, Cook Islands Date of death 02/11/1943 Place of death Mauke, Cook Islands Death registration number Unknown Next of kin Teariaroa (father), Mauke, Cook Islands Headstone/grave location Makatea, Oiretumu, Mauke, Cook Islands. Gravesite cleared. Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE11176628 Additional information November 2022, Teararoa Mani took us to a location at Makatea where he believes the home and burial site was. Images and documents Image credits and references Document source: National Archives Cook Islands Further links N/A Previous Next

< Back Final rank: Private First name/s Takoto Last name MATA Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 19268 2nd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as Matakeu TAKOTO Mata TAKOTO Date of birth 1893 Place of birth Atiu, Cook Islands Date of death 02/06/1925 Place of death Atiu, Cook Islands Death registration number ATIU19250217 Next of kin N/A Headstone/grave location Teenui, Atiu, Cook Islands Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE12350961 Additional information N/A Images and documents Image credits and references N/A Further links N/A Previous Next

< Back Final rank: Private First name/s Mareta Last name RIA Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 60697 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as N/A Date of birth 21 years of age on enlistment Place of birth Rarotonga, Cook Islands Date of death 26/04/1976 Place of death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death registration number RARO19760028 Next of kin Ria (father), Piavai (mother), Sarah Marsters (daughter), Rauavivi (wife) Headstone/grave location Titikaveka, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE11150255 Additional information N/A Images and documents Image credits and references N/A Further links N/A Previous Next