On Friday 13 January 2017, the Chinese Ambassador had announced to visit the 35 Chinese graves at the Britsih Cemetery Lijssenthoek Cemetery at Poperinge. Due to the bad weather provisions, the visit was however cancelled.
Each day, the soldiers that died on the same day are remembered in the visitors centre. On 13 January 2017 Hereweni Wakura from New Zealand was remembered. He died on 13 January 1918.
Hereweni is twenty-two when he enlists in the Maori Contingent in late September 1914. On 30 June 1915 he boards a ship for the Dardanelles, Turkey. In August Hereweni ends up in hospital. He is struck down by dysentery. He cannot rejoin his unit until December. In early 1916 Herewini boards a ship for France. A year later he contracts the mumps and is evacuated to a hospital in St.-Omer, France. It is 24 April before Herewini can return to his Pioneer Battalion. In November 1917 he is promoted to company sergeant major. He is now responsible for supplies and administrative tasks. In early January 1918 the Pioneers are working around Ypres. They reinforce communicaton trenches, install railway tracks and repair the wooden gangways, during heavy ground frost. On 3 January Herewini is shot. He is evacuated to No 2 Canadian C.C.S. Herewinin has injuries to the thigh and neck. He dies nine days after admission to hospital.
Details:
- Birthplace: Waitotara
- Country: New Zealand
- Profession: farmer
- Service number: 16/382
- Rang: Compagnie sergeant-major (Warrant Officer Class 2)
- Military unit: New Zealand Pioneer Bn.
- Died: at 13 January 1918
- Age when died: 25
- Restplace: XXVI - CC - 4
There was also a poppy wreath at the graves of James Maddison Kent and E.G. Stearns. We also visited the grave of soldier G.S. Gibbs.
Page made by Dominique Bascour.