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Cook Islands Online Cenotaph
Preserving Cook Islands Military History
Akara ki mua e akara katoa ki muri
To be able to look forward, you must be able to look back
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If you are searching for a person, please use the "Search Cenotaph" button 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".
Highest Rank:
Lance Corporal
First Name/s (as per enlistment record)
Tearai Vaine
Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record)
MEAU
Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in
19269
2nd Rarotongan Contingent
Also Known As
Meau Tearai VAINE
Date of Birth
1894
Place of Birth
Atiu, Cook Islands
Date of Death
17/05/1937
Place of Death
Atiu, Cook Islands
Death Registration Number
ATIU19370007
Headstone/Grave Location
Headstone located under a tree at Areora Village, Atiu, Cook Islands. The headstone was removed from the grave to build a house; however, the house was never built.
When our team returned to Atiu in April 2025, the tree had been lopped and the headstone placed under another tree nearby.
Next of Kin
Mrs Akatuko (mother), Atiu, Cook Islands
Link to Online Service Record
Additional Information
Enlisted 1 July 1916 in Rarotonga under the name of Meau, however his first and last names were interchanged in his military documentation as the name Meau TEARAI is listed on the SS Malta embarkation roll. Posted to the Rarotongan Company 7 April 1917. Embarked for New Zealand on the SS Malta 14 December 1918 and discharged 20 March 1919.
Date of death:
17/05/1937 (as per Cook Islands death register)
16/05/1937 (as per headstone inscription and service records)
Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge)
Image Credits and References
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Further Links
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