Military medal awarded to Te Kapunga Harawira

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Presentation of the Military medal to Warrant Officer Te Kapunga Harawira during the investiture ceremony on 13th of September 1947 at Uepohatu marae. Seventeen decorations were presented to service men and women who had served abroad and on the home front.

The marae hosted events held on the 12th and 13th of September that included cultural competitions with local school children and the opening of the Uepohatu War Memorial Hall.  The hall was built to commemorate East Coast soldiers who died during the two World Wars. A reunion of ex-service people (including members of the Maori Battalion) was also held. 

The gathering was an important one, attended by thousands including the Prime Minister Peter Fraser, the Leader of the Opposition Sidney Holland and other members of Parliament.  Sir Bernard Freyberg, the Governor General opened the hall and unveiled two memorial tablets inside.

Transcript

To receive the Military medal – Warrant Officer Te Kapunga Harawira, New Zealand Military Forces. During the attack at Miteiriya Ridge on the 23rd of October 1942, Warrant Officer Harawira displayed qualities of leadership that greatly inspired his men. Despite enemy fire he was always to be found on his feet encouraging his men, and throughout the advance he was tirelessly aggressive.
Warrant Officer Harawira.

Reference:

Sound file from Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, ref: 43116. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright.

Image from Nga Taonga a Nga Tama Toa Trust

Submitter:
Submitted by mbadmin on

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