Explore the Cook Islands' rich military history. Search records from WWI and WWII to uncover the stories of our brave soldiers. Lest We Forget their sacrifices and bravery. | Cook Islands Online Cenotaph Welcome to the Cook Islands Online Cenotaph Kia Orana. This website serves as a repository for the ongoing research our team has undertaken voluntarily since 2016. We are regularly adding further information, including service details and images from our vast collection. We have included in this online cenotaph service personnel who were living in the Cook Islands on enlistment, those who were posted to the Rarotongan Company/Contingents during WWI or had a connection to the Cook Islands through work or marriage. We have also included service personnel from any country who served during war or peacetime and are buried or memorialised in the Cook Islands. The Cook Islands Online Cenotaph WWI Content can be found here . Apart from our extensive WWI research, we have also researched WWII including Cook Islands Local Defence Force/Home Guard, Coastwatchers/Radio Operators and those who served overseas. We will be adding this information to the Online Cenotaph in due course, along with all deceased soldiers from the Cook Islands and those who were of Cook Islands descent and served in the Armed Forces in any conflict or during peacetime. If you are searching for a person, please use the Search Cenotaph button above by entering a name, a service number or an island name. If the name doesn't appear in "NAME" search, try searching for the name in "ALSO KNOWN AS". If you require any help or further information please send us a message via the Contact Us menu option above. We hope that this website will encourage all Cook Islanders to take ownership of our research, learn from it, be proud of it, and let it grow. We welcome feedback and corrections along with biographical information and photos to add to this website. Meitaki maata. Lest We Forget 🌺 February 1918. A Platoon of the 3rd Rarotongan Contingent at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp Auckland New Zealand Photo with the permission of Marjorie Seddon & Keith Seddon Members of the World War Two Cook Islands Local Defence Force (Home Guard) between 1941 and 1945. Original image owned by Tere Mataroa Image colourised by Tepaeru Utia. The original colourised image showed the uniform in khaki colour. While the dress uniform was khaki, the day to day work wear/uniform was blue denim.

Cook Islands Online Cenotaph WWI Collect ion in alphabetical order of last name on enlistment If you are searching for a person, please use the "Search Cenotaph" button above by entering a name, a service number or an island name. If the name doesn't appear in "NAME" search, try searching for the name in "ALSO KNOWN AS". The names listed in the heading are the names recorded on enlistment. We have included information such as 'also known as' along with spelling variations. Naming conventions in the Cook Islands at the time of WWl were simple with people having one given name only. This was a problem for the European recruiters from New Zealand who wanted a first name and a surname on enlistment as per western standards. In many cases, soldiers used their given name followed by their father's first name. This can easily be interpreted to "A" (given name) son of "B" (father's given name). In a number of cases, the soldier had evidently been listed in records with the first and last names transposed i.e. father's given name followed by the soldier's given name. Private Kiro Luke ADAM 16/1007 New Zealand Maori (Pioneer) Battalion Picture 1.png IMG_2367.jpeg IMG_2373_edited.jpg IMG_2376.jpeg IMG_2355.jpeg IMG_2356 (1).jpeg 1/2 Read More Private Vaine Tutai AERENGA 60768 3rd Rarotongan Contingent 1/1 Read More Private Marearai AERENGAMATE 60696 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Picture 1.png Picture 2.png 1/1 Read More Private Makiteiaa AERERUA 84569 4th Rarotongan Contingent Picture 3.png Picture 4.png Picture 2.png Picture 1.png 1/1 Read More Private Apongi AH KEW 19233 2nd Rarotongan Contingent Picture 1.png Picture 2.png Picture 3.png 1/1 Read More Private Mologa AH MU 16/1405 4th Maori Reinforcements, New Zealand Pioneer Battalion Rarotongan Company AH MU_Moronae_ Mologa.jpg 1/1 Read More Private Solomon AH SIN 60750 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Picture 2.png Picture 1.png 1/1 Read More Private Akatea AIAIA 16/1183 New Zealand Maori (Pioneer) Battalion, 1st Rarotongan Contingent Picture 2.png Picture 1.png Picture 3.png 1/1 Read More Private Atama AKEAU 60685 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Picture 1.png Picture 2.png 1/1 Read More Private Only one name recorded on enlistment AKI 19232 2nd Rarotongan Contingent Picture 1.png Picture 2.png Picture 3.png 1/1 Read More Lance Corporal John William ALO 84584 4th Rarotongan Contingent 1/0 Read More Private Teavae AMENE 19235 2nd Rarotongan Contingent Picture 1.png Picture 2.png 1/1 Read More 47 Page 1

JimmyTERITO60720 3rd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Jimmy Last Name or Only Name Recorded (as per enlistment record) TERITO Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served with 60720 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as Jim Terito BROWN Date of Birth 20 years of age on enlistment Place of Birth Mauke, Cook Islands Date of Death 01/05/1965 Place of Death Mauke, Cook Islands Death Registration Number MAUK19650003 Headstone/Grave Location Catholic Cemetery, Araki, Mauke, Cook Islands Next of Kin Terito (father) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE14359268 Additional Information Enlisted 12 March 1918. Disembarked from SS Port Lyttleton 3 August 1918 and admitted to hospital. Discharged to duty and posted to Rarotongan Company 2 October 1918. Embarked for New Zealand on SS Malta 14 December 1918. Discharged 20 March 1919. Cook Islands Roll of Honour board at RSA Rarotonga lists his name as 'T. B. TERITI'. 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 Recorded (as per enlistment record) TEAUARIKI Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served with 60708 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as Teau Ariki STRICKLAND Strickland TEAU Ariki Tangata Kaikava TEAU Ariki V 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

TutaraONGOROAITI84548 4th Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Tutara Last Name or Only Name Recorded (as per enlistment record) ONGOROAITI Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served with 84548 4th Rarotongan Contingent Also known as Tutara ONGOROA'ITI Tutara PAONGAROA'ITI Date of Birth 25 years of age on enlistment Place of Birth Mangaia, Cook Islands Date of Death 11/12/1943 Place of Death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death Registration Number RARO19430273 Headstone/Grave Location Unknown Next of Kin Tereakama Ongoroaiti (wife) Mangaia Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE19845554 Additional Information 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. Also served in the Cook Islands Local Defence Force (Home Guard) during WWII. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

TeariiTORU60645 3rd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Tearii Last Name or Only Name Recorded (as per enlistment record) TORU Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served with 60645 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as Date of Birth 19 years of age on enlistment Place of Birth Rarotonga, Cook Islands Date of Death 23/01/1956 (as per Cook Islands death register) 23/01/1955 (recorded on headstone) Place of Death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death Registration Number RARO19560090 Headstone/Grave Location Cemetery next to the Latter-day Saints Church, Avarua/Avatiu, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Next of Kin Toru (father), Avatiu, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE12326063 Additional Information Enlisted 12 March 1918 at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp Auckland New Zealand. Disembarked at Suez 4 August 1918 and posted to the Rarotongan Company 18 September 1918. Embarked for New Zealand per SS Malta 14 December 1918 and discharged 20 March 1919. Also served as a New Zealand Coastwatcher/Police Officer/Coastwatcher/Radio Operator at Rarotonga Station during WWII. Date of death on headstone is recorded as 23/01/1955 which is incorrect. The correct date of death is 23/01/1956 (as per Cook Islands death register). Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

Find more in-depth information on Cook Islands WWI history. WWI - Further Information WWI Rarotongan Contingent numbers The service numbers below only reflect soldiers who enlisted in the Cook Islands. Cook Islands soldiers who enlisted in New Zealand or elsewhere have different service numbers: 1st Rarotongan Contingent : Service numbers have prefix 16/1… 2nd Rarotongan Contingent : Service numbers have prefix 19… 3rd Rarotongan Contingent : Service numbers have prefix 60… 4th Rarotongan Contingent : Service numbers have prefix 84… 5th Rarotongan Contingent : No service numbers as they arrived in New Zealand just before WWI ended. Only a few have service records. The soldiers who enlisted in the 4th & 5th Rarotongan Contingents did not leave New Zealand due to the armistice. We have documented the names of next of kin from their service records, and also family names from various research sources. The International Date Line was established in 1884 and passes through the mid-Pacific between the Cook Islands and New Zealand. This may explain why many of the headstones record the date of death as per the date in New Zealand when the notification of death was received by New Zealand authorities who were the administrators of the Cook Islands at the time. Cook Islands NZEF WWI ex-serviceman's headstones Initially, the cost of manufacturing granite headstones in New Zealand along with shipping costs to the Cook Islands and erecting the headstone on the grave was shared between the New Zealand Government and the Cook Islands Administration. Later, headstones for the Cook Islands ex-servicemen who were in receipt of a war pension and whose death was attributed to their war service were supplied free of charge by the New Zealand Government while the Cook Islands Administration paid for the remainder. Many of the ex-servicemen who died from the late 1960’s onwards have a non military (private/civilian) headstone or are buried in an unmarked grave. Today, Veterans Affairs New Zealand will contribute up to NZD$1000 toward the cost of manufacturing, shipping and installation of a military headstone or plaque (if eligible). You can read more about this here and here . There was a considerable delay in the ordering, production and shipping of ex-servicemen's headstones. For example, in 1957 an order for 56 headstones was placed with the New Zealand Department of Island Territories/New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs in Wellington. Although most had died between 1949 and 1957, the headstone order included a headstone for an ex-serviceman who had died in Mangaia in 1938. The previous order for 65 headstones was placed in 1949 at a cost of £585 (£9 per headstone). By the time the headstones were received (particularly in the Outer Islands) the burial location was unknown and explains why a number of military headstones were placed in church grounds as memorials. In the early 1960’s a new style of headstone was introduced. These were made of a pre-cast composite/aggregate material with a bronze plaque set into the stone. The intended outcome of the change was a reduction of the cost and timeframe of manufacturing for the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs. These headstones have proven to be of far inferior quality to the granite headstones previously supplied, and the bronze plaques have not weathered well in the marine environment of the Cook Islands. Later, Veterans Affairs New Zealand reverted to granite for their military headstones. Since the first headstones were manufactured in the 1920’s, there has been ongoing confusion and discussion about the last Unit inscribed on headstones issued by the New Zealand authorities for the Cook Islands ex-servicemen. The most common confusion is surrounding the use of the wording Rarotongan Contingent , Rarotongan Company , Cook Islands Contingent , Cook Islands Company, Māori Battalion and Māori (Pioneer) Battalion .

Get the latest updates on Cook Islands military history. Latest News NZDF confirms medals for 85 Cook Islands WWII veterans after decades of denial https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/581184/nzdf-confirms-medals-for-85-cook-islands-wwii-veterans-after-decades-of-denial NZDF and researchers confirm 85 Cook Islands soldiers eligible for Second World War service medals https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/media-centre/news/nzdf-and-researchers-confirm-85-cook-islands-soldiers-eligible-for-second-world-war-service-medals/ New headstone unveiling to correct ‘brave soldier’s’ record Cook Islands News Friday 26 September 2025 Cook Islands Television News Monday 15th July 2024 The family of Papa Tai-O-Tonga are relieved by the status given to him as a coast watcher for his service during WWII Cook Islands News Friday 12 July 2024 Family reunites to celebrate WWII Coastwatcher Cook Islands News Wednesday 10 July 2024 New website helps families find World War I ancestors’ graves New Zealand 1NEWS 03 July 2024 Cook Islands Coastwatchers honoured decades after WWII service Cook Islands News Thursday 27 June 2024 Honouring the forgotten: Cook Islands Coastwatchers to receive recognition

OngokoreitiTEAU60740 3rd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Ongokoreiti Last Name or Only Name Recorded (as per enlistment record) TEAU Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served with 60740 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as Atini TEAUITI Date of Birth 40 years of age on enlistment Place of Birth Mangaia, Cook Islands Date of Death 14/12/1919 Place of Death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death Registration Number RARO19190250 Headstone/Grave Location Nikao Cemetery, Nikao, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Next of Kin Tangianau (mother), Teauiti (father), Tuauri AKA Ngatipi (wife) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE10200947 Additional Information Enlisted at Rarotonga 4 February 1918 and at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp 12 March 1918.Initial Cook Islands Rolls had Pte Teau’s named as Atini TEAUITI, with the name TEAU being recorded as per the Malta Roll and NZEF documents. Disembarked at Suez 4 August 1918. Marched in from overseas and posted to Training Regiment in Ismailia 4 August 1918. Posted from Training Regiment to Rarotongan Company 18 September 1918. Discharged 20 March 1919. Ongokoreiti Teau/Atini Teauiti died of pneumonia 14 December 1919 only six months after his return from war service. He is buried in the Nikao cemetery in Rarotonga. He left behind his wife and four young children. His wife Ngatipi Teau Vaine was from the island of Aitutaki and she received her husband’s war medals 16 March 1930. Headstone records 'Aged 59' at the time of death however we do not believe this is correct. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

MareAMOA60699 3rd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Mare Last Name or Only Name Recorded (as per enlistment record) AMOA Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served with 60699 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as Date of Birth 16/06/1898 Place of Birth Rarotonga, Cook Islands Date of Death 19/02/1945 Place of Death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death Registration Number RARO19450099 Headstone/Grave Location Muri, Ngatangiia, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Next of Kin Amoa (father), Rarotonga, Poro (mother), Rarotonga, Purumu (wife) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE10295088 Additional Information Enlisted at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp Auckland New Zealand 12 March 1918. Disembarked at Suez 4 August 1918 and posted to the New Zealand Mounted Rifle Brigade Training Regiment and Base Depot at Ismailia, Egypt. Embarked for New Zealand per SS Malta 14 December 1918 and discharged 20 March 1919. Headstone was voluntarily relettered by our team April 2026. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

MarounaTAUA60665 3rd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Marouna Last Name or Only Name Recorded (as per enlistment record) TAUA Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served with 60665 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as Date of Birth 20 years of age on enlistment Place of Birth Rarotonga, Cook Islands Date of Death 23/12/1966 Place of Death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death Registration Number RARO19660001 Headstone/Grave Location Grave location: Tupapa, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Headstone location: RSA Nikao, Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Next of Kin Taua (father), Rarotonga Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE19447509 Additional Information Enlisted at Narrow Neck Camp 12 March 1918, disembarked in Suez 4 August 1918 and was posted to the Training Regiment. Transferred to Rarotongan Company 18 September 1918. Embarked for New Zealand on SS Malta 14 December 1918 and discharged 20 March 1919. In April 2019, our volunteers restored the undelivered headstone when it was located at the RSA, Nikao. In December 2025, the grave was rebuilt and the headstone installed on the grave. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

TearikiURIARAU60670 3rd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Teariki Last Name or Only Name Recorded (as per enlistment record) URIARAU Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served with 60670 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as Amene URIARAU Date of Birth 09/01/1892 Place of Birth Rarotonga, Cook Islands Date of Death 22/07/1931 Place of Death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death Registration Number RARO19310049 Headstone/Grave Location Headstone location: Avarua, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Next of Kin Tekura (mother), Rarotonga Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE20405732 Additional Information Enlisted at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp Auckland New Zealand 12 March 1918. Embarked 13 June 1918 for Egypt, and disembarked at Suez 4 August 1918. Posted to Rarotongan Company 18 September 1918. Embarked for New Zealand on SS Malta 14 December 1918 and discharged 20 March 1919. At the headstone location at Avarua, the family said his grave was further to the right but had broken down. Another family member said he was buried in an unmarked grave in the Taputapuatea Burial Ground, Avarua, Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Headstone voluntarily relettered by our team April 2026. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

EdwardWESTBROOK16/1229 3rd & 9th Maori Reinforcements, New Zealand Pioneer Battalion Rarotongan Company < Back Highest Rank Sergeant First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Edward Last Name or Only Name Recorded (as per enlistment record) WESTBROOK Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served with 16/1229 3rd & 9th Maori Reinforcements, New Zealand Pioneer Battalion Rarotongan Company Also known as Date of Birth 09/11/1890 (as per service record) Place of Birth Samoa Date of Death 17/02/1958 Place of Death Samoa Death Registration Number Unknown Headstone/Grave Location Magiagi Cemetery, Apia, Samoa Next of Kin G.E.L. Westbrook (father), Samoa Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE12401416 Additional Information Enlisted 26 October 1915 at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp Auckland New Zealand. His occupation was a wheelwright. Promoted to Corporal at Narrow Neck Camp and embarked for Egypt 4 February 1916 on SS Navua, arriving on 15 March 1916. Re-embarked for France 9 April 1916 and was posted to New Zealand Pioneer Battalion. He embarked in the United Kingdom on SS Arawa 14 July 1916 to return to New Zealand with the Niueans and disembark in New Zealand 4 August 1916. He reported back to duty at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp Auckland New Zealand 25 September 1916 and embarked on SS Tofua 14 October 1916 to disembark in Plymouth, United Kingdom 29 December 1916. He left for France 1 February 1917 and was posted to New Zealand Pioneer Battalion 28 February 1917. He was detached to the Rarotongan Company 14 January 1918 and embarked for Egypt 21 January 1918 arriving at Alexandria 4 February 1918 and then posted to the Rarotongan Company on 5 March 1918. He returned on SS Malta and was discharged in New Zealand 7 March 1919. Served as Mayor of Aleise, Samoa from 1948. He died in Samoa 17 February 1958. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References Image credits: Annie Caffery Petaia Further Links Previous Next

FrederickHOLMES16/1226 3rd & 9th Maori Reinforcements, New Zealand Maori Pioneer Battalion Sergeant Major of the Niuean & Rarotongan Company < Back Highest Rank Sergeant Major First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Frederick Last Name or Only Name Recorded (as per enlistment record) HOLMES Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served with 16/1226 3rd & 9th Maori Reinforcements, New Zealand Maori Pioneer Battalion Sergeant Major of the Niuean & Rarotongan Company Also known as Date of Birth 1870 (as per war service record) Place of Birth London, England, United Kingdom Date of Death 01/03/1918 Place of Death Auckland, New Zealand Death Registration Number NZ1918/515 Headstone/Grave Location Waikumete Cemetery, Glen Eden, Auckland, New Zealand Soldiers Area B, Row 1, Grave 49 Next of Kin Mrs F. Ashley (aunt), c/o Mrs Hibbert, 1 Hornsby Rise Gardens, Crouch End, London, England Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE12316585 Additional Information Enlisted at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp 26 October 1915. He was employed as a Police Officer at Niue on behalf of the New Zealand Government and assisted to train the Niuean Contingent. Had previous experience in Imperial Forces and Legion of Frontiersmen. Was appointed Company Sergeant Major of the Niuean and Rarotongan Company. Disembarked from SS Navua at Suez 15 March 1916 and embarked at Alexandria for Marseille 20 May 1916. Then embarked and departed United Kingdom 14 July 1916. Returned to duty at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp 25 September 1916 when he embarked at Auckland on 14 October 1916 with the 9th Maori Reinforcements and 18th Reinforcements to disembark at Plymouth, United Kingdom 29 December 1916. Posted as the Regimental Sergeant Major of the New Zealand Command Depot, Codford, United Kingdom on 18 January 1917 but was invalided to New Zealand on 10 March 1917 on SS Remuera ex Plymouth and was discharged 5 June 1917. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References Headstone image source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/47202584/frederick-holmes Further Links Previous Next

BartholomewTANGNEY4/345 New Zealand Railway Engineers Samoa Advance Party 25/62 New Zealand Rifle Brigade Rarotongan Company < Back Highest Rank Lieutenant First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Bartholomew Last Name or Only Name Recorded (as per enlistment record) TANGNEY Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served with 4/345 New Zealand Railway Engineers Samoa Advance Party 25/62 New Zealand Rifle Brigade Rarotongan Company Also known as Bat TANGNEY Date of Birth 11/06/1891 Place of Birth Fairfax, Southland, New Zealand Date of Death 22/6/1957 Place of Death Lower Hutt, Wellington Region, New Zealand Death Registration Number NZ1957/26123 Headstone/Grave Location Taita Cemetery, Naenae, Lower Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand Next of Kin Thomas Tangney, sen. (father), Fairfax, Southland, New Zealand AWMM Miss J. Tangney (sister), Fairfax, Southland, New Zealand AWMM Miss J. Tangney (sister), 17 Saint Andrew Street, Invercargill East, New Zealand Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE9793095 Additional Information Enlisted 12 August 1914 and embarked for Samoa 13 August 1914 as part of the Advance Party in the occupation of Samoa. Returned to New Zealand 22 March 1915 and was discharged from the Samoa Force. Reenlisted 4 September 1915 with service number 25/62 and served in France with 3rd Battalion 3rd New Zealand (Rifles) Brigade. There he held both the CQMS (Company Quarter Master Sergeant) and CSM (Company Sergeant Major) positions. Commissioned 25 April 1917 and returned to New Zealand to train reinforcements. Posted to Trentham and Featherston Camps and then to Narrow Neck Camp and the 3rd Rarotongan Contingent in February 1918. Sailed to Egypt and was posted to the Rarotongan Company in Palestine 18 September 1918. Promoted to Lieutenant 25 October 1918. Returned to New Zealand on SS Malta. Travelled to the Cook Islands in March 1919 and wrote a report on the disturbance in outer Islands on the return of troops to their home Islands. Discharged 28 May 1919 after 4 years and 125 days service. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References Group photo: Rarotongan Company Officers after being formally welcomed onto the Island. L to R, Lieutenant Gibbons, Captain Bush & Lieutenant Tangney. March 1919. Photo used with the permission of Marjorie Sedon and Keith Sedon Further Links https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/agent/31374 https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/201114095 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 Recorded (as per enlistment record) WILKINSON Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served with 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

MauturiMETUAMATE60666 3rd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Mauturi Last Name or Only Name Recorded (as per enlistment record) METUAMATE Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served with 60666 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as Mouturi METUAMATE Date of Birth 23 years of age on enlistment Place of Birth Mangaia, Cook Islands Date of Death 15/08/1953 Place of Death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death Registration Number RARO19530054 Headstone/Grave Location Cemetery next to the Latter-day Saints Church, Avarua/Avatiu, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Next of Kin Ngere Metuamate (wife), Rarotonga, Metuamate (father), Mangaia, Rongomate (mother), Mangaia Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE10898501 Additional Information Enlisted 12 March 1918 at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp Auckland New Zealand. Embarked from New Zealand 13 June 1918 and disembarked at Suez 4 August 1918. Admitted to the 2nd Australian Stationary Hospital from 30 November 1918 to 12 December 1918. Embarked on SS Malta from Egypt 14 December 1918 and discharged 20 March 1919. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

TamaineNGARIU5th Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Tamaine Last Name or Only Name Recorded (as per enlistment record) NGARIU Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served with 5th Rarotongan Contingent Also known as Date of Birth Unknown Place of Birth Mangaia, Cook Islands Date of Death 17/10/1969 Place of Death Mangaia, Cook Islands Death Registration Number MANG19690005 Headstone/Grave Location Tamarua, Mangaia, Cook Islands Next of Kin Unknown Link to Online Service Record Additional Information Buried on private land in an unmarked grave in Tamarua. Family intends to place a military plaque or headstone on the grave in the future. No online war service record. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References Image of Tamaine NGARIU courtesy of Mangaia Island Administration and Tourist office. Further Links N/A Previous Next