Pānui Pāpāho І News Release 
Embargoed until Wednesday 16 April 2025
Honouring tūpuna – The search for photos of B Company 28th Māori Battalion Soldiers
Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa is searching for photos of B Company 28th Māori Battalion soldiers for a special exhibition that will be housed within the Museum when it reopens.
If whānau and friends have photos of any of B Company members, particularly in their uniform and at about the age when they were serving in B Company, then please complete this quick survey https://rlc.net.nz/BcoyM
If you are unsure if your tūpuna was in B Company then you can search a database of soldiers at the start of the survey.
The 28th Māori Battalion was involved in some of the fiercest fighting of World War II, located in Greece, Crete, North Africa and Italy from 1940 to 1945. Their exploits were legendary, but the price was high. The Battalion suffered the highest casualty rate of any within the New Zealand Division. Of the 3,578 men who served in the 28th Māori Battalion, 640 did not return home. One in six men was killed.
Four companies, divided along iwi lines, made up the 28th Battalion. B Company soldiers were from Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, Taupō and Thames-Coromandel.
The importance of honouring and remembering these brave man has become even more relevant with the passing of the last surviving member of B Company, Sir Robert (Bom) Gillies, in November last year.
Sir Bom was involved with the development of the previous exhibition, dedicated to sharing the stories of B Company 28th Māori Battalion, and visited it often during his life.
Whilst Rotorua Museum is currently closed for earthquake strengthening, they are taking the opportunity to redevelop the B Company exhibition and are hoping to connect with descendants in order to strengthen the overall exhibition.
The Museum is also hoping to make contact with B Company descendants to invite them to a review of the B Company, 28th NZ (Māori) Battalion History Trust.
“The B Company, 28th NZ (Māori) Battalion History Trust was established in 2014 to “protect, maintain and preserve the integrity, honour and mana of the company”, explains Graeme Vercoe (QSM), Chairman, B Company, 28th NZ (Māori) Battalion History Trust.
“It is now time to review the Trust and we are looking for the guidance of the B Company whānau to determine the future direction for the preservation and protection of the B Company legacy, as contributors to our rohe and wider national memory.”
The Trust are looking for members to represent whānau of B Company 28th Māori Battalion tūpuna and would like as many whānau as possible to attend the hui to learn more and become involved.
The B Company Trust hui will take place on Saturday 24 May 2025 (1pm – 4pm) at Te Ao Mārama Hall, Ōhinemutu. Please RSVP to canaan.tuhura@rotorualc.nz by Friday 16 May 2025.
For more information on the B Company research and B Company Trust hui visit:
https://www.rotoruamuseum.co.nz/building-project/b-company-research/
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For further information:
Rotorua Lakes Council