Ingoa whānau
Mendes
Ingoa tuatahi
Samuel
Date of death
18-Feb-44
Place of death
Italy
World War 2
Tau Rangatū
39382
Tūnga
Private
Wāhi noho
Motukaraka, New Zealand
Ngā tuhinga
He also had two brothers in the 28th Māori Battalion: Michael Mendes and Joseph Mendes
Takupu (3)
Olivia's Speech 22 June 2004
Submitted by kiwioz3 on Tue, 06/10/2009 - 03:12
Wow, this is sooo coool. It
Submitted by dmendes on Tue, 24/04/2012 - 23:38
Research of an Unknown Soldier : Private Samuel Mendes
Submitted by Patricia Hikuroa (not verified) on Sun, 06/09/2020 - 16:05
Sunday 6th September,2020.
Tena koutou katoa,
My name is Patricia Hikuroa. I am a Lecturer at Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi in Whangarei Campus. My research, Masters of Indigenous Studies paper is about the 28th ( Maori ) Battalion and an Unknown Soldier. Our Lecturer is Reuben Collier and he gave each Masters student in our study group a Military Number of an Unknown Soldier. Our first task was to enter the number into the 28th ( Maori ) Battalion site online. I am very fortunate to be researching Private Samuel Mendes from Motukaraka, Hokianga of Maori and Dalmatian Parents.
I am very privilreged to be studying about a very brave and courageous member of your Whanau; Private Samuel Mendes, 39382, of the 28th ( Maori ) Battalion. who is buried in The Military Cemetery at Cassino, Italy.
It will be my honour and absolute privilege to meetwith Whanau or talk by phone, or communicate by email with Whanau members of Private Samuel Mendes; to learn more about a hero who fought to save and free the People of North Africa, Crete and the Italians at Cassino.
I have commenced writing a Report about Private Samuel Mendes which will be compiled from 28th (Maori ) Battalion websites, information online and from The Ministry of Defence but also it would be especially valued of information by Whanau and Schools about Private Samuel Mendes.
I will be very appreciative of any Whanau members of Private Samuel Mendes, 39382 who served with the A Company, 28th ( Maori ) Battalion representing New Zealand during the World War Two after enlisting in 24th February, 1942.
May I acknowledge Private Samuel Mendes, 39382; for the outstanding service and contributions when he represented Ngai Tupoto and Ngapuhi during the Second World War in North Africa and Italy.
I shall respect and value any information about Private Samuel Mendes, 39382; that will be recorded in my Report about his life that he gave for the freedom that we enjoy at home in New Zealand.
Yours sincerely,
Patricia Hikuroa.