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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

Wi Broughton Walker

Serial No: 
39506
Surname: 
Walker
Forename(s): 
Wi Broughton
Next of kin on enlistment: 
Mrs. J. Walker (wife), 18 Cornwall Road, Papatoetoe, Auckland, New Zealand
Rank: 
Private
Address on enlistment: 
18 Cornwall Road, Papatoetoe, Auckland, New Zealand

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Uncle Bill Walker

Uncle Bill was a prisoner of war in Germany and according to my father he was a great athlete - apparently he would race and win against german soldiers. After the war he married my mother's sister, Nancy (nee Broughton). They lived in their home above and behind my grandmother's home in New Plymouth. He was a fisherman and would drop fresh snapper in to my grandmother every morning.  My grandmother was a great cook and fresh fish for breakfast was absolutely delicious.  When Aunty Nancy died, Uncle Bill bought another home behind their old home. We stayed with him on quite a few occasions and the last time we stayed with him he brought out all his medals and told my sister and I to choose one each. The medals he let us have are real taonga, and I have mine in a prize place in my home. Uncle Bill was still driving his car when he was well in to his 90's, and it was real hair raising stuff. He drove slow as, through red lights, and as if there was no one else on the road. He died at about age 95, a lovely man with a warm nature.

In Battalion Rugby Team

The following article appeared on Page 16 of The Evening Post 26 April, 1940.

MAORI BATTALION - RUGBY TEAM CHOSEN

For the Rugby match with the Papakura Camp representatives, to be played at Eden Park, Auckland, on Saturday, the following team has been selected to represent the 28th Maori Battalion:—

Full-back. —Second-Lieutenant Urlich (North Auckland).

Three-quarters — Pte. W. B. Walker (Taranaki), Pte. T. Paraone (North Auckland), Pte. McCausland (Bay of Plenty).

Five-eighths.—Pte. B. Jacob (Bay of Plenty), Cpl. E. N. Howell (Bay of Plenty).

Half-back.—Pte. M. Wharerau (North Auckland).

Forwards. —Pte. H. Harawene (North Auckland), Cpl. N. Te Kawa (East Coast), Coy. Sergt.-Major Ropata (Wellington), L/Cpl. K. Kaa (Waiapu), L/Cpl. I. G. Harris (North Auckland), Coy. Sergt-Major R. K. Tahuriorangi (Bay of Plenty), Sergt. Wanoa (Tolaga Bay) and Pte. N. Hare (Bay of Plenty).

Emergencies: Backs, Cpl. M. Harrison (East Coast), Pte. N. Rogers (Bay of Plenty); forwards, Cpl. W. J. Cooper (North Auckland) and Pte. W. Pahau . (East Coast).

'Maori Battalion Rugby Team Chosen'. The Evening Post26 April 1940.  URL: http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz