Te Hapua will remember too

With or without an armed police presence, Anzac Day will be commemorated at Te Hapua, where those who attended the local school, and who served their country in World War I, World War II and Korea, will be formally recognised.

Robin Shepherd, who with wife Gena was teaching at Te Hapua when the school celebrated its 75th birthday, said he had suggested that the former pupils who had served should be remembered. The list of names was compiled in 1970, by Moko Rewi and others, but was too late for inclusion in the book.

“It sort of faded away after that,” Robin said, “but I suggested that the names should go on to an honours board. That was about 10 years ago, and then the Te Hapua branch of the Ma¯ori Women’s Welfare League got involved.”

The roll of honour had now been completed, and would be unveiled at the Anzac Day service, organised by the MWWL, 11am at Te Reo Mihi Marae.

The Te Hapua School old boys who are remembered on the roll of honour are:

World War I — Rata Murupaenga (wounded), Waitai Rata (wounded), Len Keene (wounded), Allen Munro. World War II — Fred Rameka, Tupani Waitai (wounded), Brown Brown (killed in action), John Norman (wounded), Oneroa Horne, Mati Petricevich (killed in action), Wiki Sylva, Rapi Sylva (killed in action), Dick Lazarus, Toka Abraham, Charlie Petera, Witamiha Rata, Ben Waenga, Herbert Subritzky, Mac Herewini, William Waitaia, Mili Murray. Korea — John Brown, Brown Norman, Morehu Pene, Billy Karena.