Waki Lewis

Surname
Lewis
Forename(s)
Waki

World War 2

Serial No
1934
Rank
Lance Corporal
Address on enlistment
Kauwhata, Palmerston North, New Zealand
Next of kin
Mrs Hikinga Riki Lewis (mother), Kauwhata, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Comments (3)

Laney Gould a yr 9 student at the Kalbarri WA District High School and an e/school student, submitted her essay on, "The ANZAC Spirit" describing the story, of Mavis Hannah a WA army nurse who survived three and a half years, as a PoW during World War 11 saying, "Mavis was a lady who personified the ANZAC spirit ... she pushed through everything and showed the resilience of women," The essay won her selection to present her work before a panel in the first cut to twenty."I'm a New Zealander." Some months later, "The ANZAC spirit means a lot to me," she said. "I have a lot of family connections and it's because of them I am here."Selected from 300 entries Laney went on to represent the Mid West during the 2013 ANZAC Student Tour, along with nine others. ref Jessica Rock-Midwest Times Nov 22.2012Laney knows the story of the two brothers, one a soldier the other an airman, how you climbed Mt Olympus and returned saying very little else about your experiences. Then I told her what we did, picking flowers from Mum's garden to make two poseys and rain hail or starlight and I mostly remember the pouring rain in the dead of night at the Te Arakura Memorial Garden where all alone you stood, captured in the beam of the car lights with your flowers, then we would drive on to the church and the Memorial Arch to your brother, ANZAC PT LEWIS where again you stood all alone. After dropping us off you would continue on to Dawn Service. Dad that is also the spirit of the ANZAC.

Tena koe Laney. What a lovely well-earned honour for you. Congratulations. You are so blessed to have loved ones that have passed priceless memories on to you. I was moved by the image of Lance-Corporal Waki Lewis laying home-grown bouquets of flowers by carlight before proceeding to the ANZAC Dawn Service. Beautiful and thought provoking. Naku noa iti nei, Te Awhi Manahi