Reweti Ihaka was KIA during enemy artillery bombardment on 2 Nov 42. His remains are kept at the memorial graves at El Alamein. Reweti Ihaka had the distinction of being one of the few Maori of A Coy 28 Bn who had flaming red hair. His close friend from the same Northern company, was Tamati Paraone of Ngati Hine. Who shared some moving and emotional stories with me about Reweti some years ago at a commemoration ceremony at Maori Television.

At our recent (Ihaka) Family Reunion, I spoke with a cousin, Eru Manuera, about the possibilty of winning Lotto and travelling to Egypt just to visit our Uncle. Tragically, Eru passed away shortly after our reunion. The wish remains to be able to visit an Uncle I never knew.