Wirina (Apemerika) Hapimarika (1874 - 1935)

Born 1874 in New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand

Ancestors

Died 21 Apr 1935 at about age 61 in Nelson, New Zealand

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Biography

Wirina was born in 1874. He was the son of Hape Merika and Mere Robinson.

In Nelson, he was working at Wangapeka as a saw miller. Wirina enlisted on 14/11/1916 and was discharged on 08/11/1918. Wirina spent one year and 19 days overseas and 167 days in New Zealand while enlisted. On his enlistment papers, his records say he was born to William and Mary Happy of New Plymouth on 17 June 1881 His enlistment papers show he was a member of the Heretaunga Mounted Rifles.

During the war whilst in France he became unwell. He was treated at King George Hospital in London before being shipped home aboard the Paparoa in 1918. While serving in the Army, the Army found he had been suffering from asthma due to the wet conditions.

Wirina was issued a British War Medal on 5/5/1921 and a Victory Medal on 27/4/1922.

Wirina is buried at Whakapuaka Cemetary, Nelson. He passed away in 1935. ^[1]

^{[2] [3]}

Sources

1. ↑ 1935 Newspaper: "Papers Past, National Library of New Zealand"
   Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 22 April 1935, Page 4
   Papers Past Article (accessed 2 September 2023)
2. ↑ Māori Oral History -kupu tuku iho
3. ↑ Family tree handed down to Brendon Te Whana.