Waipukurau war memorial

Waipukurau memorial, including names listed from the First, Second and Vietnam wars. On the gates is a South African War memorial plaque.

The memorial was recently restored under the guidance of Tony Masemann, Utilities Officer, Central Hawke's Bay District Council. Bill Donnithorne and Stephenson and Taylor, Waipukurau were responsible for the gun restoration.

See article about the three Bogle brothers who appear on this memorial. (Stuff)

Credit

Images: Waipukurau and District RSA, 2014

Information: Heather Street

How to cite this page

Waipukurau war memorial, URL: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/memorial/waipukurau-war-memorial, (Manatū Taonga — Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 29-May-2024

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Waipukurau

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Kiwi Scribe Posted: 18 Nov 2022

The memorial displays the names of Ian Holms and Alvin Dunbar both of whom paid the ultimate sacrifice during World War II. Their tragic stories are mentioned in the book 'Not Just Ordinary Blokes' written by Ian Holms' nephew John Holms. Alvin and his schoolmate Bobby Holms, a brother of Ian Holms, played a pivotal role as Boy Scouts in Waipukurau during the Napier Earthquake of 1931. They would be rewarded by meeting and receiving certificates from the Chief Scout of the Empire, in Wellington, Lord Baden-Powell whose visit happened to coincide around the time of the natural disaster. Both Bobby Holms and Alvin Dunbar would later serve together as NCOs in the NZ Divisional Cavalry during the War 39-45. Also listed in 'Not Just Ordinary Blokes' is the author's other relatives also from Waipukurau, John Squires Stratford (listed as L J Stratford) and his nephew Gordon Stratford, a WW2 airman and former Head Prefect Wanganui Collegiate.

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Kiwi Scribe Posted: 24 Nov 2022

Ian Holms listed on the Waipukurau War Memorial, one of the first NZ soldiers to be KIA in England, 1940, was the son of A C Holms JP, a former Deputy Mayor of Featherston and Editor of the Waipukurau Press. Another soldier KIA during the Battle of El Alamein was Alvin Dunhill, a schoolboy friend of Ian Holms' brother Bobby Holms. Both lads would be rewarded for their assistance as Boy Scouts in Waipukurau after the Napier Earthquake in 1931 by being congratulated in Wellington by the Chief Scout of the Empire Lord Baden-Powell. Both would serve together in the NZ Divisional Cavalry as NCO's during WW2 as described in the book "Not Just Ordinary Blokes.' A cousin of Pamela Holms, wife of another brother and WW2 veteran Grant Holms, was Gordon Stratford a RNZAF Serviceman who lost his life serving in the Pacific theatre of war during WW2. This former Head Prefect of Wanganui Collegiate, was the son of Lt Vincent Stratford, a WW1 and 2 veteran whose brother John Leonard Squires (LJ) Stratford is also listed on this memorial. Leonard and Vincent, along with Gallipoli veterans, brothers Walter and Harry Stratford, are the Great-great grand uncles of Tukituki MP Anna Lorck.

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Anonymous Posted: 6 Dec 2022

As listed on this Memorial and in the book "Not Just Ordinary Blokes' by JGM Holms a detailed narrative is told of the unfortunate death of Ian Holms, KIA whilst on duty during the Battle of Britain serving with the Second Echelon, 2ndNZEF in Kent, England, October 1940.
Also serving in England was his brother Robert (Bob) Holms attached to the NZ Divisional Cavalry and a close friend of Alvin Dunbar also listed on this War Memorial. Both Alvin and Bob Holms had played a significant role as Waipukurau Boy Scouts assisting in the recuperation of severely injured patients admitted to Waipukurau Hospital during the Napier Earthquake of 1931. For their efforts they were acknowledged at the Basin Reserve in Wellington by the then Chief Scout of the Empire Lord Baden - Powell who was touring New Zealand at the time. Both would serve in the NZ Divisional Cavalry as NCO's together till Alvin Dunbar's tragic death KIA during the Battle of El Alamein. Bob Holms wounded during the Battle was the only survivor of his tank crew. Again circumstances are provided in the book "NJOBs"

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Anonymous Posted: 6 Dec 2022

On this memorial is listed L J Stratford, born John Squires Leonard Stratford, of the Canterbury Regiment NZEF, KIA 2nd September 1918 in France. He was the uncle of Gordon Stratford also listed on this War Memorial, and the son of Mr and Mrs V W Stratford of Waipukurau. Gordon went MIA serving with the RNZAF while serving in the Pacific Theatre of War and lies buried at the CWG Cemetery in Bourail, New Caledonia. His father Vincent, wounded in France, repatriated on the hospital ship HMNZHS Marama and two other uncles, both Gallipoli veterans, Harry and Walter Stratford also served in the Great war 1914-18. They too are listed in the book "Not Just Ordinary Blokes" compiled by Walter Stratford's grandson JGM Holms.

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