Surname
Puke
Forename(s)
Donald
Date of death
7-Mar-44
Place of death
Italy
World War 2
Serial No
802150
Rank
Private
Address on enlistment
Bell Block, New Zealand
Comments (2)
Visit my namesake tombstone
Submitted by djpuke on Mon, 12/04/2021 - 12:27
Being very interested in architecture, I visited many palaces, castles and famous sights in Great Britain and Europe in 1984 on a 3 month individual tour. Since I was a 5 year old I had the desire to visit my uncle graveside who I was named after as his photo is hanging with others from around the Waitara area in the local Wharenui of Ohawe Marae who never returned home.
Visit my namesake tombstone
Submitted by djpuke on Mon, 12/04/2021 - 12:53
As I was approaching his graveside at Monte Cassino Italy I could feel his happy wairua spirit that I was visiting him, coming half way around the world. It was the climax of my 3 month individual tour overseas. I couldn't afford to buy a camera then I drew his monument by pencil and paper. He went to war with my father, Charlie Puke and they were 1st cousins as their fathers (Chris and Richmond) were brothers. Thank you once again for taking a beautiful photograph of my namesake'S tombstone. I also noticed on U tube that my iwi in Waikawa, Waitohi, Picton erected a war memorial monument (maori carving) situated on the foreshore for those killed inaction in D Company. Ka tino pai!