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70 years ago this month

February 1942 was spent re-equipping and training, the Battalion regaining its vitality. Read the war diary for February 1942 here

Hori Te Awarau Karaka Tuau and Sonny Maaka Papuni

Like most others, our father Hori Matehe TUAU, aka Hori Te Awarau Karaka TUAU enlisted under an assumed name due to his age at the time. Him and his mate Sonny Maaka Papuni (seated), enlisted together. My father was wounded in Tripoli and chose to name his first son, my brother, Tripoli Daniel TUAU. Dad wrote on the photo "Cairo 1942" and on the back of the photo was Sonny's name and a note that Sonny died in Cairo. Dads Regiment No. was 65329 and Sonny's was 65330

Reference:
Family photo album
Submitter:
Submitted by George Tuau on Mon, 12/07/2010 - 02:32.
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I would like to make contact

George Tuau commented:
Sat, 17 July 2010 - 11:53am
I would like to make contact with Sonny Maaka Papuni's family. It appears that Sonny and Dad were mates. They enlisted at the same time. Dad first Reg no. 65329 then Sonny Reg no. 65330 This photo has been in our family album for a long time.

Sonny Maaka Papuni - Company C

Taini Carlsson commented:
Wed, 21 July 2010 - 12:34am
If they were mates, I wonder if it was the two of them that jumped the queue again because they were turned away the first time? Taini Carlsson (Tuau)

Has to be...check their

George Tuau commented:
Sat, 24 July 2010 - 07:59pm
Has to be...check their regiment no's

Sonny Maaka Papuni

MPapuni commented:
Thu, 28 April 2011 - 05:14pm

Tena koe e hoa,

 My name is Maaka Papuni, I am the great nephew of Sonny Maaka Papuni. He was also known as Kurei. My father is Apiha Papuni and his dad was Maaka(Mark) Papuni, who also served with the 28th. Sonny was one of four brothers in the C Company. My father was amazed to see the photos you have uploaded as he told me they never had any photos of his Uncle Sonny around the house when he was growing up. It is certainly awesome to see them and reminds us of what a tragedy it is that he passed away. He died during the battle for Orsogna in Italy on the 17th December 1943. It would be awesome to own a copy of that picture with your Dad and Sonny if that is at all possible. Thanks very much on behalf of our family to yours for uploading these taonga, we really appreciate it.

Kia ora koe,

Maaka Papuni 

Tena koe Maaka, I had hoped

George Tuau commented:
Mon, 30 May 2011 - 12:54am

Tena koe Maaka, I had hoped that someone from Sonny's whanau would see these photo's and make contact. If you can send me your email address I will forward a copy of the photo to you. I am keen to see where my father was born as I have never been to Rangitukia or know much of his early life. There is also a story about my father's dad Hamana Tuau that I'm trying to follow up on and someone there might know about it. My email address is Tuau@xtra.co.nz

Kia ora koe

George

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