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On Anzac Day, the Kariaotahi Hall Second World War Roll of Honour was unveiled at a dedication ceremony near Waiuku.
Last year, the Kariaotahi Hall Committee organised the repair and complete restoration of the beautiful but faded and worn First World War Roll of Honour, which has been on the wall in the former Kariaotahi School for over 100 years.
The hall committee then organised a Second World War Roll of Honour memorial board to match the First World War Roll of Honour that was restored in time for Anzac Day last year.
Speaking at the service, hall committee member Kay Vincent said four of the 31 men joined the Navy and five joined the Air Force.
“Erik Erikson covered both bases and flew planes in the Navy. Oscar Erikson enlisted in the army, transferred to the Air Force, and within a month transferred to the navy after forging his father’s signature, as he did not meet the age requirement. The rest enlisted in the army, mostly as gunners,” she said.
“Four of our boys lost their lives. Fred Redfern, aged 24, who had struggled with mobility as a child with T.B, was awarded the Military Medal for outstanding service during operations in Greece but was killed in the Battle of Crete in 1941. He is the only one of the four who has a known grave.
“Ralph Sykes, aged 23, while flying a Hurricane fighter on patrol off the coast of Libya, was shot down by German fighters in 1942. His body washed ashore and was buried by members of a South African Division. A search was later made for his grave, but all traces had been obliterated.
“In August 1944, Flight Sergeant Jack Knight, aged only 20, was posted missing presumed dead after his Corsair was hit by anti-aircraft fire near Bougainville in the Pacific. He bailed out, but his parachute failed to open.
“In 1945, Jack’s brother Bob Knight flew a mission over Germany, and his aircraft failed to return. Bob and his crew were declared missing.”
Arthur Short and Donna Woods, nephew and niece of Jack and Bob Knight, unveiled the Kariaotahi School Second World War Roll of Honour, while Denise Gunn read the names of each of the men.
The 31 past pupils who served in the Second World War are: Alexander BLYTH, Kenneth John BLYTH, Thomas McCall BLYTH, George Herbert BREGMEN, James William BREGMEN, Noel David Edmond BULTE, Albert Delville (Del) CHAPMAN, Harold John CHAPMAN, Erik Sven ERIKSON, Oscar Ole ERIKSON, Franklin Thomas EVANS, Walter GILLATT, Hugh Scott HARKNESS, Anthony Charles John HERROLD, Peter HOLMES, Dennis Henry HONEY, Gordon Desmond HONEY, Leslie Allenby HONEY, Nelson Maxwell HONEY, Frank KNIGHT, Jack Muir KNIGHT*, Robert Baines KNIGHT*, David Churchill MAKGILL, Charles Malcolm McCULLY, Ross Elliot McNAUGHTEN, Clarence Stanley McNAMARA, Frederick George REDFERN*, Ralph Stuart SYKES*, Raymond THOMSON, Thomas Kennedy THOMSON, Sidney John TURNER. *Denotes died in service.
