An old soldier has fallen
Herewini James (Selwyn) Clarke, believed to have been the last living member of the 28th Ma¯ori Battalion’s A Company, died in Kaitaia on Monday. He was 91.
Mr Clarke, who began service with the Home Guard in the Kaitaia district at the age of 13, enlisted late in the war, after falsifying his age (as he had done to get into the Home Guard).
He arrived in Egypt with the 14th Reinforcements in 1945.
He lived at Ahipara for many years, but some time ago moved into a home in Kaitaia.
He was taken to Te Paatu Marae, at Pamapuria, where his funeral will begin at 11am tomorrow, followed by interment at the urupa.