Grandpa's Lonely Walk Home : 2013

The Armistice

An End to Fighting
When the Armistice was announced (11 Nov.1918), all fighting ended. Soon after, Grandpa rejoined the Maori Battalion on an ordered march to Germany. On 19 Dec. 1910, the march to Germany was halted. Orders redirected the division to Dunkirk, France where they embarked on the S.S. St. George1 (3 Jan. 1919). Arriving in Southampton, England, and disembarking on the same day of embarkation, Grandpa then entrained to Amesbury, England, and marched into Larkhill Camp the following day.

1 The S.S. St. George

The lengthy stay at Larkhill annoyed Grandpa and his mates. Though the Maori had proven themselves on the Western Front, respect was still lacking. For example, the Maori Battalion’s return home was delayed because of internal politics and preferential priority granted to other units. This created a major, ruckus in camp that eventually led to the construction of the famous chalk Kiwi2, located on the hillside near Larkhill.

2 Larkhill Camp

Almost two (2) months after the Armistice, and more than four (4) weeks since their return to Larkhill, the Maori Battalion was the last group transported home from England. Entraining from Amesbury, England to Liverpool, England (4 Jan. 1919), Grandpa and his fellow soldiers embarked on the S.S. Westmoreland3 (28 Feb. 1919). They arrived home (6 April 1919) and disembarked in Auckland, New Zealand to a rousing Maori welcome4— complete with representatives from all tribal areas in the country, and the familiar sounds of traditional Haka and Waiata.

3 The S.S. Westmoreland

Memorializing WW1 Victory

Recruitment Propaganda

Military Recruitment Posters

Red Cross Recruitment Posters

Our Uncle's Rest in Peace

Below, are two family members who were mentioned earlier in this Blog (see post, Enlisted at Kohukohu, 1916). They enlisted with Grandpa at Kohukohu. Unfortunately, both were killed on the Western Front. Recently, I located photos of their resting places and headstones, in Belgium. They are reverently and respectfully, placed here so family members can become familiar with their locations. They will also serve as a reminder that we will never forget the great sacrifices-- they made-- to preserve the freedoms we enjoy, today.

David Padlie (#20625)
UNDERHILL FARM CEMETERY
Comines-Warneton
Hainaut
Belgium

Location Information: Underhill Farm Cemetery is located 12 Km south of Ieper town centre, on a road leading from the Rijselseweg N365, which connects Ieper to Wijtschate, Mesen (Messines) and on to Armentieres. From Ieper town centre the Rijselsestraat runs from the market square, through the Lille Gate (Rijselpoort) and directly over the crossroads with the Ieper ring road. The road name then changes to the Rijselseweg. 3 km after the town of Mesen (Messines) lies the right hand turning onto the Rue du Petit Pont. (Kleine Brugstraat). 1 Km along this road on the right hand side of the road lies the cemetery.

Historical Information: Underhill Farm and Red Lodge were the names given to two buildings on the north-western edge of Ploegsteert Wood. They were occupied by dressing stations and the cemetery which they used is close to the farm. The cemetery was begun in June 1917 and used until January 1918. It fell into German hands in the spring of 1918, when it was used under the name of "The Military Cemetery at the foot of the Nightingale Hill". The cemetery was recovered in September 1918 and used again for Commonwealth burials until October. There are 190 Commonwealth casualties of the First World War buried or commemorated in this cemetery. Nine of the burials are unidentified and special memorials commemorate five casualties whose exact places of burial in the cemetery could not be determined.

Peter ‘Pona’ Te Whata (#20621)
MAPLE LEAF CEMETERY
Comines-Warneton
Hainaut
Belgium

Location Information: Maple Leaf Cemetery is located 14 kilometres south of Ieper town centre, on a road leading from the Rijselseweg, N365, which connects Ieper to Wijtschate, Mesen (Messines), Ploegsteert and on to Armentieres. From Ieper town centre the Rijselsestraat runs from the market square, through the Lille Gate (Rijselpoort) and directly over the crossroads with the Ieper ring road. The road name then changes to the Rijselseweg. On reaching the village of Ploegsteert, turn right at the church onto rue du Romarin. At the end of this road lies the left hand turning onto Niepkerkestraat (for only 50 metres), then immediately right onto Zakstraat. The cemetery is located 50 metres beyond the right hand turning onto Zakstraat.

Historical Information: Maple Leaf Cemetery was begun in December 1914 by fighting units and field ambulances, but from July 1915 to April 1916, the village was occupied by the advanced dressing station of the 3rd Canadian Field Ambulance and the cemetery thus acquired its present name. The last Commonwealth burial was made in December 1917, but German graves were added in April 1918 when the cemetery was in German hands. The cemetery contains 167 Commonwealth and nine German burials of the First World War.