George PearceBALDWIN3/4015 New Zealand Medical Corps < Back Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel First Name/s (as per enlistment record) George Pearce Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) BALDWIN Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 3/4015 New Zealand Medical Corps Also Known As Date of Birth 10/05/1856 Place of Birth Wolverhampton, England Date of Death 22/05/1930 Place of Death Auckland, New Zealand Death Registration Number NZ1930/2730 Headstone/Grave Location Ashes interred at Purewa Cemetery and Crematorium, Meadowbank, Auckland, New Zealand Section 34, Block E, Lot 37 Next of Kin Florence Helen Baldwin (wife) Doris Pearce Russell (daughter) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE10317858 Additional Information Appointed Surgeon Captain New Zealand Militia until transferring to the NZ Medical Corps on its formation in 20 September 1910. In 1906 was living in Waikar, Canterbury, New Zealand. On 30 October 1915 was promoted to Major in the New Zealand Medical Corps in Rarotonga. Appointed as a member of a special medical board on his return to New Zealand. Posted as the Assistant Director of Medical Services at Christchurch from 7 April 1919 to 8 September 1919. Posted to the Retired List 8 September 1919. His obituary in the Evening Post dated 26 May 1930 stated "The death occurred in Auckland last week after an operation of Dr George Pearce Baldwin, who during the war was assistant Director of Medical Services in Christchurch. He was a cousin of Stanley Baldwin and Sir Rudyard Kipling and a nephew of the late Sir Burne-Jones and Sir Edward Pointer." Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References Image source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/221244715/george-pearce-baldwin Further Links N/A Previous Next

TaataaTAKAREU5th Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Taataa Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) TAKAREU Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 5th Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Takareu TAATAA Taataa TAKAREUA Date of Birth Unknown Place of Birth Rarotonga, Cook Islands Date of Death 28/12/1956 Place of Death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death Registration Number RARO19560084 Headstone/Grave Location Our research leads us to believe that there are two military headstones for this soldier in Rarotonga. One is in the name of “Pte. T (Taataa) TAKAREU died 29/12/1956 aged 59 years” and is on the soldier’s grave in the Panama Catholic Cemetery. The other headstone is in the name of “Pte. T. TAATAA 29/12/1956 aged 57 years” and is located at the RSA in Rarotonga. We believe that both of these headstones were ordered and manufactured for this soldier. No online war service record. Next of Kin Telea (mother), Takareu (father), Metuapuiti Wycliff (wife) Link to Online Service Record Additional Information The 5th Rarotongan Contingent disembarked in Wellington 6 November 1918 and were discharged 13 November at Trentham Military Training Camp due to the signing of the Armistice on November 11 1918 that ended World War One. Date of death: 28/12/1956 (as per Cook Islands death register) 29/12/1956 (as per both military headstones) Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

BobSIMIONA60771 3rd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Bob Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) SIMIONA Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 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 Link to 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 (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

TiraaMAU84509 4th Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Tiraa Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) MAU Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 84509 4th Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Date of Birth 20 years of age on enlistment Place of Birth Aitutaki, Cook Islands Date of Death 23/10/1946 Place of Death Aitutaki, Cook Islands Death Registration Number AITU19461193 Headstone/Grave Location Vaipae, Aitutaki, Cook Islands Next of Kin Naoari Mau (sister) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE13551580 Additional Information Attested in Rarotonga 12 June 1918. Enlisted at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp Auckland New Zealand 10 July 1918. Discharged 7 December 1918 due to the signing of the Armistice that ended WWI. Embarked on SS Paloona for Rarotonga, and arrived in Rarotonga 15 December 1918. We were told about this headstone by a descendant when we were at the Aitutaki, Cook Islands airport preparing to fly back to Rarotonga on November 13th 2019. The descendant sent the headstone photos to us after we had left Aitutaki. Grave location unknown. Date of death: 23/10/1946 (as per Cook Islands death register) 26/10/1946 (as per military headstone) Cook Islands Roll of Honour board at RSA Nikao Rarotonga records his name as 'T. NAU'. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

StricklandTEAUARIKI60708 3rd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Strickland Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) TEAUARIKI Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 60708 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Teau Ariki STRICKLAND Teariki TIKERENI Date of Birth 20 years of age on enlistment Place of Birth Mauke, Cook Islands Date of Death 16/09/1968 Place of Death Mauke, Cook Islands Death Registration Number MAUK19680005 Headstone/Grave Location Parai, near Hyde Park, Kimiangatau, Mauke, Cook Islands Next of Kin Tupurakore Teauariki, (wife), Teauariki (father), Kinui (mother) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE11178340 Additional Information Enlisted 12 March 1918 and disembarked at Suez 4 August 1918. Embarked for New Zealand on SS Malta 14 December 1918 and discharged 20 March 1919. Headstone records year of birth as 1896 Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

SamuelMANA19266 2nd Rarotongan Contingent  < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Samuel Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) MANA Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 19266 2nd Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Tepano Mana SAMUELA Ariki SAMUELA Ariki Mana SAMUELA Mana Kaimoko SAMUELA Date of Birth 26 December 1881 as per headstone inscription Place of Birth Mauke, Cook Islands Date of Death 08/09/1965 Place of Death Mauke, Cook Islands Death Registration Number MAUK19650007 Headstone/Grave Location Catholic Cemetery, Araki, Mauke, Cook Islands Next of Kin Samuel (father), Mauke, Cook Islands, Cook Islands Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE19480889 Additional Information A number of documents record the date of death as 13 July 1965 which is incorrect. Our research indicates that Private Samuela Mana 19266 is one of three brothers who enlisted with the NZEF during WWI: Private Koria Manu (Koria Samuela) 19248 - Tupapa, Rarotonga Private Mataputa Samuela 60786 Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

TeMATE16/1441 New Zealand Maori Pioneer Battalion, Rarotongan Company < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Te Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) MATE Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 16/1441 New Zealand Maori Pioneer Battalion, Rarotongan Company Also Known As Meti TEMATE Meti TAPUTOA Date of Birth 05/11/1895 Place of Birth Aitutaki, Cook Islands Date of Death 09/02/1973 Place of Death Auckland, New Zealand Death Registration Number NZ1973/28331 Headstone/Grave Location Old Papatoetoe Cemetery, Auckland, New Zealand Next of Kin Taputoi te Mate (father), Aitutaki, Cook Islands Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE11184311 Additional Information Enlisted 23 February 1916 when employed with the Union Steam Ship Co. Ltd. Embarked at Wellington 26 June 1916 and arrived at Devonport, United Kingdom 22 August 1916. Left Sling Camp for France 28 August 1916 and posted to the New Zealand Pioneer Battalion 11 September 1916. Admitted to 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station 19 January 1917 with trench foot and then to 29th General Hospital at Wimereux on 25 January 1917 before being transferred to a Convalescent Depot on 3 February 1917. Rejoined battalion 28 February 1917. Transferred to the Rarotongan Company 14 January 1918, embarked for Egypt 21 January 1918 and disembarked at Alexandria 4 February 1918. Joined the Rarotongan Company 5 March 1918. Returned to New Zealand on SS Malta 14 December 1918. Embarked on SS Paloona for Rarotonga and discharged on 20 March 1919. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

Only one name recorded on enlistmentARAPO16/1204 1st, 2nd and 3rd Rarotongan Contingents < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Only one name recorded on enlistment Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) ARAPO Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 16/1204 1st, 2nd and 3rd Rarotongan Contingents Also Known As Arapo ARATAI Arapo MAKIAUNGA Date of Birth 1895 Place of Birth Mangaia, Cook Islands Date of Death 08/02/1970 Place of Death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death Registration Number RARO19700021 Headstone/Grave Location Inave, Arorangi, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Next of Kin Makiaunga AKA Aratai (father), Onerao, Mangaia. Areenu AKA Neke (mother), Tata Peia (wife) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE11516669 Additional Information Enlisted in Rarotonga 24 September 1915. When training with the 1st Contingent he became ill and slipped back to the 2nd Contingent. He was found to be medically unfit for service and was discharged from the 2nd Contingent. On 13 December 1917 he was assessed fit in Rarotonga and this was confirmed in Auckland 12 April 1918. A second enlistment commenced on 12 March 1918. Disembarked in Suez with the 3rd Contingent 4 August 1918. Posted to the Rarotongan Company 18 September 1918. Embarked for New Zealand on SS Malta 14 December 1918 and discharged 20 March 1918. Name is not recorded on the Roll of Honour board at the RSA, Nikao Rarotonga Cook Islands. His brother Pte Kakino ARATAI 84578 served in the 4th Rarotongan Contingent. Surname spelt as ‘Aratia’ on private/civilian headstone. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

MTETUARU5th Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) M Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) TETUARU Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 5th Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Date of Birth Unknown Place of Birth Unknown Date of Death Unknown Place of Death Unknown Death Registration Number Unknown Headstone/Grave Location Unknown Next of Kin Unknown Link to Online Service Record Additional Information The 5th Rarotongan Contingent disembarked in Wellington 6 November 1918 and were discharged 13 November at Trentham Military Training Camp due to the signing of the Armistice on November 11 1918 that ended World War One. No online war service record Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

RuaVAINEMAKI84550 4th Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Rua Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) VAINEMAKI Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 84550 4th Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Vainemaki RUA Date of Birth 21 years of age on enlistment Place of Birth Atiu, Cook Islands Date of Death 21/02/1969 Place of Death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death Registration Number RARO19690029 Headstone/Grave Location Numunga Burial Grounds, Titikaveka, Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Unmarked and unknown grave. Next of Kin Ngarua Vainemaki (father) and Vavia (mother) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE21360191 Additional Information Attested 12 June 1918 in Rarotonga. Arrived in Wellington 21 June 1918 and enlisted at Narrow Neck Camp 10 July 1918. Discharged on 7 December 1918 and embarked on SS Paloona for Rarotonga which arrived in Rarotonga 15 December 1918. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

BertramGIBBONS26/41 New Zealand Rifle Brigade Rarotongan Company, 3rd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Lieutenant First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Bertram Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) GIBBONS Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 26/41 New Zealand Rifle Brigade Rarotongan Company, 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Date of Birth 04/06/1884 Place of Birth London, England, United Kingdom Date of Death 10/11/1969 Place of Death Auckland, New Zealand Death Registration Number NZ1969/41036 Headstone/Grave Location Waikumete Cemetery, Auckland, New Zealand. Service Persons Ash Burial Area K, Row 1B, Plot 149 Next of Kin John Gibbons (father), 58 Grove Road, Bow, London E., England Mrs B. Gibbons (wife), 42 Britannia Street, Petone, New Zealand Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE10054651 Additional Information Enlisted 6 September 1915 and embarked for Egypt 4 February 1916 and posted to 4th Battalion New Zealand Rifle Brigade. Promoted to Warrant Officer Class-Il as Company Sergeant Major 1 November 1916 and in March 1917 he was selected to officer training. Promoted to 2nd Lieutenant 31 July 1917. Returned to New Zealand for the training of reinforcements at Trentham Military Training Camp 27 August 1917. Posted to 3rd Rarotongan Contingent and embarked with that contingent 13 June 1918 and was transferred to the Rarotongan Company 11 August 1918. Embarked for New Zealand on SS Malta 14 December 1918. Upon his return to New Zealand he went to Rarotonga in March 1919 with Captain Bush to escort the contingents home and returned in April 1919 on SS Paloona. Discharged 17 June 1919. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

HarryMANN11/1725 9th Coy, 3rd Battalion, Wellington Infantry Regiment < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Harry Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) MANN Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 11/1725 9th Coy, 3rd Battalion, Wellington Infantry Regiment Also Known As Harry MANU Manuiti WILLIAMS Date of Birth 22/07/1894 Place of Birth Mauke, Cook Islands (family state he was born in Mauke, Cook Islands) or Rarotonga, Cook Islands (as per service records) Date of Death 01/07/1939 Place of Death Wellington, New Zealand Death Registration Number Unknown Headstone/Grave Location Karori Cemetery, Wellington, New Zealand Next of Kin William (father) Makiate (aka Moetua) (mother). Robert Mann (father), Marairenga, Rarotonga as per service records (possibly the adoptive father) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE19482248 Additional Information Information supplied by a descendant: In contrast to details recorded in Harry Mann’s military records, he is also recognized as Manuiti William, the offspring of William Mateariki (also known as William Tararo-iti) and Moetua Tereia, from the Island of Mauke, Cook Islands. There are conjectures surrounding the alteration of Manuiti's name, including the possibility of adoption by Robert Mann or the recruitment officer anglicising his name due to language barriers. However, the absence of Robert Mann in Cook Islands directories from that era raises doubts. Moreover, if Manuiti had been adopted, his adopted name, Harry Mann, would likely be documented in the Mauke, Cook Islands land court records. Furthermore, adoption was relatively rare during that period, diminishing the likelihood of such a scenario. Official documents beyond military, marriage, and death records pertaining to Harry Mann's identity have yet to be uncovered, posing challenges in constructing a thorough genealogical profile. In addition, Manuiti also had two younger brothers, Vavia and Keu, who served in World War I; Vavia Williams/William Vavia (Service Number: 16/1203), 3rd Māori Contingent, attached to A Company Auckland, New Zealand Pioneer Battalion. He died of wounds on 1/10/1916 and is buried at Flatiron Copse Cemetery, Mametz, Somme, France, Plot I.G 48. The youngest brother, Keu William (Service Number: 60700), served in the NZ 3rd Rarotongan Company. Died: 29/11/1970, Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Buried: Nikao, Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Harry had one older brother, Tauu. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References Manuiti Williams (aka Harry Mann) front second from left with chef’s hat on taken at his place of work at the Council-owned quarry at Plimmerton, Wellington, New Zealand. Source: Mann/Williams family collection Headstone image: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/221556849/harry-mann Further Links N/A Previous Next

Sydney TomesDAVIS2/1882 New Zealand Field Artillery < Back Highest Rank: Driver First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Sydney Tomes Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) DAVIS Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 2/1882 New Zealand Field Artillery Also Known As Sydney James DAVIS Date of Birth 30/01/1890 Place of Birth Auckland, New Zealand Date of Death 15/07/1938 Place of Death Auckland, New Zealand Death Registration Number NZ1938/27838 Headstone/Grave Location Devonport (O’Neill’s Point) Cemetery, Bayswater, Auckland, New Zealand Next of Kin Mrs Mary Davis (wife), Rarotonga, Cook Islands Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE14341051 Additional Information Enlisted 17 April 1915 when he, his wife and child were living in Rarotonga and joined New Zealand Field Artillery Ammunition Column. Served at Gallipoli and returned to Egypt 22 December 1915. Medically unfit and embarked for New Zealand 17 March 1916 and discharged 20 May 1916. Father of Sir Thomas Davis, former Premier of the Cook Islands Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References Image source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/198584203/sydney-tomes-davis Further Links N/A Previous Next

TiareUTA84531 4th Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Tiare Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) UTA Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 84531 4th Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Tiare Uta TUAKANA Date of Birth 23 years of age on enlistment Place of Birth Aitutaki, Cook Islands Date of Death 01/01/1943 Place of Death Aitutaki, Cook Islands Death Registration Number AITU19431037 Headstone/Grave Location Vaipae, Aitutaki, Cook Islands Headstone memorial only. Grave cleared for infrastructure Next of Kin Kapua Tuakana (wife), Tuakana (father), Tuaunga (mother) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE14793139 Additional Information Enlisted 12 June 1919 in Rarotonga. Disembarked per SS Paloona at Wellington 22 June 1918. Discharged 7 December 1918. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

GeorgeTUAINE12/1812 3rd Reinforcements, 1st Battalion Auckland Infantry Regiment, Rarotongan Company < Back Highest Rank: Sergeant First Name/s (as per enlistment record) George Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) TUAINE Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 12/1812 3rd Reinforcements, 1st Battalion Auckland Infantry Regiment, Rarotongan Company Also Known As Tuainekara Tinirau TAMATOA Date of Birth 21/7/1893 as per service record Place of Birth Aitutaki, Cook Islands Date of Death 26/08/1966 Place of Death Christchurch, New Zealand Death Registration Number NZ1966/36435 Headstone/Grave Location Ashes were uplifted from New Zealand and returned to Aitutaki, Cook Islands for interment at Araura, Aitutaki, Cook Islands Next of Kin Tauite (father). Spelling as per service record Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE10457241 Additional Information Enlisted at Trentham Military Camp New Zealand on the 4 December 1914 stating that he was born in Aitutaki Cook Islands and that his occupation was a seaman. Embarked at Alexandria 12 April 1915 for Gallipoli. Wounded in action with shrapnel to his left thigh and admitted to 17th General Hospital on 19 May 1915 then Glymenopouls Hospital, Alexandria from 6 June 1915 to 23 June 1915 and was then employed as a storeman at the New Zealand Advance Base at Mustapha Barracks, Alexandria from the end of June 1915 to 11 February 1916 when he rejoined his battalion. He embarked for France 6 April 1916. Transferred to New Zealand Pioneer Battalion 2 March 1917. Contracted pleurisy in October 1917 and was evacuated to 1st New Zealand General Hospital at Brockenhurst, the New Zealand Convalescent Hospital at Hornchurch and the New Zealand Engineer Reserve Depot at Christchurch, United Kingdom. Returned to France 7 May 1918 and was transferred to Depot Unit of Supply, Marseille for passage to Egypt on 16 May 1918. Posted to the Rarotongan Company 1 July 1918 and returned on SS Malta and was discharged in New Zealand 7 March 1919. He re-enlisted for Home Service in Auckland on 11 August 1919, but his discharge date is unknown. Age at death recorded as 68 years on memorial plaque. Brother of Private Rima PA 16/1195. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Out of gallery Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

Percy SimeonSHEARMAN16/1385 16/1385A New Zealand (Māori) Pioneer Battalion Rarotonga Company < Back Highest Rank: Sergeant First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Percy Simeon Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) SHEARMAN Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 16/1385 16/1385A New Zealand (Māori) Pioneer Battalion Rarotonga Company Also Known As Date of Birth 08/03/1890 Place of Birth Manganui, Waikato, New Zealand Date of Death 21/2/1953 Place of Death Whanganui, New Zealand Death Registration Number NZ1953/32090 Headstone/Grave Location May 2021, a memorial plaque was installed at the site of his son's grave, Warrant Officer Ronald Leslie Nooroa Shearman 424068 who served in the RNZAF during WWII, at Mt View Marton Cemetery (Services Cemetery), Marton, Rangitikei District, Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand Next of Kin Mrs Sophia Shearman (mother), Rarotonga, Cook Islands, Thomas Shearman (father) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE21110259 Additional Information Employed as clerk with A.B. Donaldson Ltd, Rarotonga, at time of enlistment. Enlisted 8 November 1915 and commenced duty 23 January 1916. Trained for New Zealand Medical Corps at Awapuni Camp, Palmerston North. Disembarked at Suez 13 March 1916 and embarked for France 9 April 1916. As he was proficient in Cook Island Māori language he was posted to New Zealand Pioneer Battalion as New Zealand Medical Corps attached for medical duties. Also employed in 3rd New Zealand Field Ambulance and New Zealand Division Rest Station. Attached to 3rd NZ Depot Unit of Supply at Bass-de-Radoub Base Supply Depot, Marseille, 5 February 1918 as interpreter for the transfer of Cook Islanders to Egypt. Embarked for Egypt on HMT Canberra 5 June 1918, arrived Alexandria 14 June 1918 and posted to Rarotongan Company 12 August 1918 as the Company medical orderly. He was detached from SS Malta in Fremantle, Australia, in 12 January 1919 as medical attendant to care and act as an interpreter for 16 soldiers (including 13 Cook Islanders) who were off-loaded and quarantined due to illness. Travelled from Perth to Melbourne by train 21 April 1919 and departed Sydney 7 May 1919. Discharged 9 July 1919 to live in Rarotonga. Was active in the Cook Islands RSA mid 1920s. Biographical information from grand daughter Jane Horvath (née Shearman): “I never knew my grandfather, but what I have learnt 68 years after his passing has given me an insight into the man he was. He grew up in Rarotonga to missionary parents who had sailed from London via New Zealand. I suspect he was a pacifist because of his family beliefs (London Missionary Society) and because my dad was sent to Whanganui from Rarotonga when he was 10 to attend a Quaker school. His call to duty to serve alongside the men he had grown up with would have been strong, so his contribution was to be a medic. He was the only child of Sophia and Thomas to go to war. I imagine that he would have seen the terror of war first hand, and although he never spoke of this, he would have carried the scars for the rest of his life. He married an English woman who he met in Australia on the homeward journey back to Rarotonga. I imagine that Percy was much like his only child, Ron, (my Dad) a gentle giant who was both generous and humble. At the heart of these two war veterans, was Rarotonga. The rock. Their hearts. For me it is important to acknowledge Percy's service alongside his care for his fellow Cook Islanders in lands so unfamiliar and far away from his beloved home. After 68 years, my grandfather, Percy Simeon Shearman, finally has a plaque to acknowledge his service during WW1. It's been an incredible journey researching a man who I never knew, but who shaped our family history from Rarotonga to Whanganui. Now his name is beside his son’s, and his story is told. Kei wareware tatou - Lest We Forget.” Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References Images courtesy of grand daughter Jane Horvath (née Shearman) Further Links https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C64158 Previous Next

NamiroMAUORE60657 3rd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Namiro Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) MAUORE Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 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 Link to 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 (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

Alfred GeorgeWILKINSON13836 14th Reinforcements and 1st Battalion New Zealand Rifle Brigade < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Alfred George Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) WILKINSON Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 13836 14th Reinforcements and 1st Battalion New Zealand Rifle Brigade Also Known As Date of Birth 29/12/1882 Place of Birth Bristol, United Kingdom Date of Death 6/9/1941 Place of Death Mangaia, Cook Islands Death Registration Number MANG19410023 Headstone/Grave Location Oneroa, Mangaia, Cook Islands Grave was cleared to build Mangaia Island Council Shed. The headstone is stored at the shed. Next of Kin David Robert Wilkinson (father) England. Mr Jock Anderson (friend) Auckland, New Zealand Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE24549848 Additional Information Private Alfred George WILKINSON 13836 was an Englishman who enlisted with the NZEF in Rarotonga during WWI. On enlistment his occupation was recorded as 'Island Trader, Penrhyn Island'. Enlisted in Rarotonga 17 February 1916 and embarked from Wellington 26 June 1916 and disembarked at Devonport, United Kingdom, 22 August 1916. Joined 1st Battalion 3rd NZ (Rifles) Brigade in France 4 November 1916. Admitted sick to 3rd NZ Field Ambulance and then 2nd Casualty Clearing Station on 30 June 1917. In an attack by enemy aircraft on the 2nd Casualty Clearing Station on 7 Juny 1917, he was severely wounded in the head and the left leg. Admitted to 83rd General Hospital 8 July 1917 and transferred to United Kingdom on Hospital Ship Jan Breydel 15 July1917 and on the same day admitted to the 1st New Zealand General Hospital, Walton-on-Thames. Classified as unfit 5 October 1917 and transferred to the New Zealand Discharge Depot, Torquay, 30 October 1917. Embarked on SS Ruahine at Liverpool 16 November 1918. Discharged in New Zealand 5 April 1918. His name is recorded on the Cook Islands Roll of Honour board at RSA Nikao Rarotonga under 'Europeans who enlisted from the Cook Islands'. Our research has uncovered Private Wilkinson’s movements after World War One when he returned to the Cook Islands. He subsequently lived on the islands of Penryhn, Rarotonga and Mangaia and married Teu Ra Mapuhi from Papeete, Tahiti, on 23rd of July 1923 at the Commissioner’s Office in Rarotonga. She was the daughter of an island trader. The marriage register is signed by Hugh F. Ayson. the Resident Commissioner at the time. The couple had no children from their marriage and therefore had no relatives in the Cook Islands. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next