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70 years ago this month

May 1942 the Battalion is still at Arsal in the Syrian foothills undertaking exercises and manoeuvres. Major Tiwi Love becomes the first Māori commander of the unit. Read the war diary for May 1942 here

Featured soldier

Edward Clayton Pohio

Matiu Love

Serial No:

817729

Surname:

Love

Forename(s):

Matiu Julius

Also known as:

Matt, Julius, Ju

Next of kin on enlistment:

Mr I. Te Puni (uncle), Waikawa Pa, Picton, New Zealand

Rank:

Lance Corporal

Address on enlistment:

Fernhill, Hastings, New Zealand

Place of death:

New Zealand

Notes:

Matiu Love's obituary published in the New Zealand Herald, 27 March 2012.

LOVE Matiu Julius (Julius, Ju). 817729, WWII-2NZEF Maori Battalion, L Cpl. Passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family. Loved Husband of the late Hipera (Bella) Love nee Kupa. Much loved father of Matty and Leaine, Gary, Cherie and John, Myra and Gary, Moira and Tony, Nickola and Pat. Much Loved Grandfather and Great Grandfather to many moko's. Special thanks to all the staff AAU at HB Regional Hospital. Matiu will be laying in state at Omahu Marae until the funeral on Wednesday March 28, 2012 at 11.00am.

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'Baby from the Bay thankful he lived...'

Te Awhi Manahi commented:
Thu, 18 November 2010 - 12:32pm

There is an article written by Lawrence Gullery in the Hawke's Bay Today, 23 April 2010, titled:

Maori Battalion 'baby from the Bay' thankful he lived to tell the tales
He was one of the babies of the (28th) Maori Battalion which was dispatched to the deserts around Egypt and then to Italy during World War 2. Matiu Love, from Omahu, retells some of his stories and experiences in the hope more people will understand and respect the Anzac name...
Click here to read more...

Matiu Love 1925-2012

mbadmin commented:
Mon, 07 May 2012 - 05:20pm

The wonderful Matiu Love passed away on 27 March 2012. He was a member of D Company and embarked with the 12th Reinforcements. Listen to an interview with him from 2010 on Radio New Zealand's Te Ahi Kaa

"Lest We Forget" Uncle Matt

Connie Love commented:
Tue, 08 May 2012 - 12:44pm

The last of our many taonga who has passed on to be among the many stars in our sky. We will always treasure your stories so that they may be passed on throughout the generations. As you were one of the lucky ones, we are also, that you were able to talk and share the songs and stories with us that so many before could not. Thank You Uncle for your love and generosity we will miss you always, Willie Loves Whanau. " Lest We Forget"!