from the SMITH burial database of New Zealand
- FAMOUS (or INFAMOUS) SMITHs in NEW ZEALAND

the 28th MAORI BATTALION, commonly known as the Maori Battalion was an infantry battalion of the New Zealand Army that served during the Second World War.

It was formed following pressure on the Labour government by some Maori MPs and Maori organisations throughout the country wanting a full Maori unit to be raised for service overseas.

The Maori Battalion followed in the footsteps of the Pioneer Battalion that served during the First World War which had been very successful and was wanted by Maori to raise their profile and to serve alongside their Pakeha compatriots as citizens of the British Empire.
It also gave a generation of people with a well-noted military ancestry a chance to test their own warrior skills.

Raised in 1940 as part of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force (2NZEF), the 28th (Maori) Battalion was attached to the New Zealand 2nd Division as an extra battalion that was moved between the division's three infantry brigades.
The battalion fought during the Greek, North African and Italian campaigns during the war and a contingent was sent to Japan as an occupation force afterwards.

The unit was disbanded in January 1946.

almost 3600 men served overseas with the Maori Battalion between 1940-1945, of these 649 were killed in action or died on active service


the SMITH soldiers who served with the 28th MAORI BATTALION


SMITH, Zakie - Private 806479
- from Public Works Department, Private Bag, Gisborne
- NEXT OF KIN - Miss A. Smith (sister), P.O. Box 2, Tolaga Bay

SMITH, Roy - Private 65202
- from Mourea, Rotorua
- NEXT OF KIN - Miss S. Williams (cousin), Whakatane

SMITH, Hingangaroa (aka Major Jackson) - Private 453083
- from Hauiti, Tolaga Bay
- NEXT OF KIN - Mr D. Smith (brother), 22 Marsden Street, Lower Hutt

SMITH, Chappie Te Hata - Private 816559
- from Care of Taite And Company, The Square, Palmerston North
- NEXT OF KIN - Mr D. Smith (brother), 22 Marsden Street, Lower Hutt, Wellington

SMITH, Frederick Jonathan - Private 815288
- from Nuhaka, Hawkes Bay
- NEXT OF KIN - Mr D. Smith (father), Nuhaka, Hawkes Bay

SMITH, Wilson - Private 66023
- from Anakaha P.B., Havelock
- NEXT OF KIN - Mr G. Smith (not stated), Kimbolton

SMITH, Peter - Private 67400
- from 145 Hobson Street, Auckland
- NEXT OF KIN - Mr J. Smith (father), Waiuku

SMITH, Edward - Private 26031
- from Maramarua
- NEXT OF KIN - Mr P. Smith (father), Horahora

SMITH, Heber - Private 62621
- from Bridge Pa, Hastings
- NEXT OF KIN - Mr P. Smith (father), Nuhaka

SMITH, Cleo Ronald - Sergeant 67472
- from Nuhaka,
- NEXT OF KIN - Mr T. Smith (father), Nuhaka

SMITH, Stanley - Private 68277
- from Nuhaka
- NEXT OF KIN - Mrs H. Mitchell (sister), Nuhaka

SMITH, James - Private 630225
- from 7 Pilkington Road, Panmure, Auckland
- NEXT OF KIN - Mrs L. Smith (mother), 8 Harding Street, Auckland,

SMITH, Jerry - Corporal 5482
- from Whangaehu
- NEXT OF KIN - Mrs L. Smith (mother), care of J. Gilbert, Putiki, Wanganui

SMITH, Barney Hapi - Private 808554
- from Waiotapu
- NEXT OF KIN - Mrs M. Smith (mother), Opoutama,

SMITH, Bonny Naki - Private 808555
- from Waiotapu
- NEXT OF KIN - Mrs M. Smith (mother), Opoutama

SMITH, Joseph - Temporary Corporal 811050
- from Ohinemutu, Rotorua
- NEXT OF KIN - Mrs M. Smith (wife), Ohinemutu

SMITH, Johnny - Private 26032
- from Raurakaumanga, Huntly
- NEXT OF KIN - Mrs M. Smith (wife), Raurakaumanga, Huntly

SMITH, William Hikitangaarangi - Private 813519
- from Parikino, Wanganui
- NEXT OF KIN - Mrs R. Smith (mother), Putiki, Wanganui

SMITH, Tommy - Private 62622
- from Waimarama
- NEXT OF KIN - Mrs Smith (mother), Waimarama

SMITH, Riki - Second Lieutenant 67473
- from Nuhaka
- NEXT OF KIN - Mrs T.A. Smith (mother), Nuhaka