Below is a collection of information, mostly from internet sources and added to as new details become available.
The aim is to identify each of the men who are listed on the Kariaotahi Roll of Honour (spelled Kariotahi on the actual board) and to learn a bit more about their connection with Kariaotahi. Some of these men have generational links to the district and others were just passing through but were obviously considered local enough to be acknowledged in the Roll of Honour. Most were past pupils or teachers at the school.
Click on any of the hyperlinked words to take you to the original source of the information. Much of this comes from the Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph website.
If you have any other information or photos of these men and would like to share it, or if you want to clarify or edit any of the details below, please contact us on kariaotahihallcommittee@gmail.com
Information from nzhistory.net.nz - including a better-quality photo of the roll of honour.
World War I 1914-1918
This man is a real mystery - there's no other record of him being at Kariaotahi, and he seems to have disappeared after the war. He would have been only 16 at the start of the war. O Denzil is most likely Oswald Denzil . His deatils from his enrolment attestation in 1918 gives his occupation as joiner, and his address as initially Wells Street, Newton, then Kingsland/care of Mrs Waring (grocer) Edendale, Auckland. This is found online at the NZ Archives records on Ballots (Military Service Act)
And further information (March 2025) It is very likely that he enlisted under the name of Oswald Roy FISHER.
Does anyone know anything else about O. Denzil?
Does anyone know anything else about O. Denzil?
Sapper August Edward Eichler (35260)
3rd Reinforcements
Occupation before war: farmer
Next of Kin: Mrs E.A Eichler (mother) Te Aroha
Date of embarkation: 15 November 1916
Place of embarkation: Wellington
Transport: HMNZT 69
Vessell: Tahiti
Destination: Devonport, England
Disembarkation Date: 29 January 1917
Returned to New Zealand aboard the Prinzessin about 25th June 1919.
He served with the New Zealand Engineers Tunnelling Company
He is listed in NZ and Australian electoral rolls as living in Raglan (1911) Tauranga,(1911) and Franklin (1914) and appears on the Tauranga electoral roll in 1919 and Franklin again by 1928.
August Edward Eichler was born 2.5.1890 at Dimboola, Victoria, the second son of George August and Emma Augusta Eichler (née Milich). The family farmed in the Jeparit area and August attended the Jeparit Primary School.
In 1901 the family, along with relatives, emigrated to New Zealand and engaged in dairy farming. Later, at Te Aroha they lived in Bridge Street and conducted a tea-room, which was damaged by fire in 1913.
At the outbreak of WW1, August and his brother, Berthold Theodore Eichler enlisted in the New Zealand Army. and August went overseas with the New Zealand Tunnelling Company and saw service in France, particularly in the action which recaptured the town of Arras from the Germans. He was stricken with trench fever towards the end of the hostilities and invalided to a hospital in England, where he met and subsequently married Ethel Nellie Scammell on 18th December 1918. They returned to New Zealand shortly afterwards and settled at Te Aroha. Their first child Paul, lived only a few days and in 1921 a second son, Philip was born.
August and his family later moved to the Matamata District where they share farmed on a dairy property. Later still they resided at Papakura, where another son, Wilfred was born. Wilfred died in 1931, the victim of diphtheria.
In 1928 the family went to Australia and resided at Yanac East for 12 months, before moving to Murrayville, where August worked as a Road Contractor in the District and later in the Ouyen District until the start of WW2. He enlisted in the 12th Garrison Battalion with the rank of Sergeant and was stationed in Melbourne on guard duty at Essendon Airport and also in other sensitive places.
Following the war, August and Ethel moved to Springvale and lived there for almost 40yrs and for some of that time August worked at Rocla Pipes.
Failing health forced them to reside with Philip in Bendigo, and it was here that Ethel died on 9th April 1984, aged 88yrs. August died 7th December 1984, aged 94yrs. Both are buried at the Bendigo Lawn Cemetery.
from "Eichler - Descendants in Australia 1851-1986, Clausthal Germany to Burra Australia"
Franklin Garfield Fruin (Known as Garfield)
Franklin Garfield Fruin's name also appears on the Waiuku cenotaph.
Stanley John Furmage
Stanley John Furmage also had a brother, called James Richard Wattam ,in the 6th Reinforcements of the Wellington Mounted Rifles (I'm assuming he's a brother because he also lists Mrs E.Furmage of Waiuku as his mother, for next of kin.)
Richard Colin HONEY 78033
William Edward HONEY 79398
William Edward HONEY 79398
Lionel HONEY 62568
Frederick HOLMES 4/1169
Archibald Eadie HAYES (also on the Otaua Hall WW 1 Roll of Honour)
Claude Russell HILL
First known rank: Private
Occupation before enlistment: Farm hand
Next of Kin: Mrs C.A.Lockie (mother) 67 Seafield View Road, Grafton, Auckland
Body on embarkation: NZEF
Embarkation Unit: 42nd reinforcements, D Company
Embarkation Date: 1 August 1918
Vessel: Tofua
Destination: London
H.E.J. Lockie is listed in the electoral rolls of Auckland East in 1928; in Grey Lynn in 1935 and 1938; and in Arch Hill in 1946.
It seems he died in Auckland in 1947 and had been a civil servant
R.H.MAKGILL
Was seriously wounded in France. (Another link here)
Improving at Brockenhurst Hospital
Returned to New Zealand wounded (June 1917) and died of influenza epidemic, 14th December 1918
Ernest and his father, Anthony, died of the the epidemic within two weeks of each other.
Ernest's sister, (Isabelle Thelma, known as Thel) is the mother of May Dawbin (nee Summerville).
Ernest Charles MAY 23311
does not appear on Roll of Honour - not sure why.
First known rank: Corporal,
Body on embarkation:New Zealand Rifle Brigade
Embarkation Unit: 7th Reinforcements, 1st Battalion, E Company
Occupation before enlistment: farm hand
Embarkation date: 27 May 1916
Son of Anthony and Anna May
Lived on Coast Road (where Brights lived) Was seriously wounded in France. (Another link here)
Improving at Brockenhurst Hospital
Returned to New Zealand wounded (June 1917) and died of influenza epidemic, 14th December 1918
Ernest and his father, Anthony, died of the the epidemic within two weeks of each other.
Ernest's sister, (Isabelle Thelma, known as Thel) is the mother of May Dawbin (nee Summerville).
Percy R MURFITT
C.S. McNamara
C.H. McNamara
Charles (Barney) McNAUGHTEN
Note that on his war record his surname is spelt McNaughton.
He was wounded at Gallipoli on 16th August 1915.
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| Charles (aka Barney) McNaughten |
Ronald Lane McDONALD (26/872)
First Known Rank: Rifleman
Occupation before enlistment: Labourer
Next of Kin: John McDonald (father) Jersey Park, Waipipi
Body On Embarkation: NZ Rifle Brigade
Embarkation Unit: 4th Battalion
Embarkation Date: 5 February 1916
Place of Embarkation: Wellington
Vessel: Ulimaroa or Mokoia or Navua
Destination:Suez
Born in Australia
He embarked from Plymouth for NZ on 24th December, 1918 with the intended address given as Jersey Park, Waipipi and was discharged no longer physically fit for war service on account of illness contracted on active service.
Weekly News, 8th March 1917.
Mr John McDonald of Jersey Park, Waipipi, Waiuku, can justly be proud of the record his sons are putting up in defence of the Empire. His eldest son Ernest, aged 35, a married man with a wife and four children, left with one of the earliest reinforcements as Captain of the 16th Waikatos and was wounded at the landing on Gallipoli in the shoulder and lung. He was invalided home and making a rapid recovery, was able to leave New Zealand again as a Major. At present he is in charge of troops at Sling Camp. Elwyn, aged 32, left some time later and the latest news shows him to be in the firing line 'somewhere in France'. Ronald, aged 29 years, left with one of the reinforcement drafts for the Rifle Brigade, was wounded in France, he was sent to hospital, recovered and returned to the front in time to take part in the Somme advance. In December last Ronald was again wounded in the ear and face. The latest news states that he is 'making good progress'. Another son, Harold, was not 20 when he left New Zealand. He took part in several sharp engagements in Egypt and came through safely. Then he met his brother Ernest who arranged for a transfer and he was taken on to the English camp. Mr McDonald's father, the late Mr Peter McDonald, saw active service in the Maori war where, while serving under Colonel Nixon in the Waikato Mounted Constabulary, he was severely wounded. A nephew of Mr John McDonald also went through the Gallipoli Campaign and is now serving in Egypt.
Digital versions of R.L McDonald's Military Personnel files can be accessed through Archives New Zealand
Walter NORTON
C.NICHOLSON
John Henry Tupara PICKARD (10/1033) click on name to see photo.
Rank Last Held: Private
Next of Kin: George Pickard, Waiuku
Marital Status: Single
Enlistment Address: Marine Parade,Wairoa
Embarkation Unit: Wellington Infantry Battalion
Embarkation Date: 16 October 1914
Vessel: Limerick or Arawa
Destination:Suez
Place of Death: At sea from Gallipoli
Date of Death: 30 April 1915
Cause of Death: Died of wounds received at Gallipoli, Aged 23.
Full name: John Henry Tupara Pickard
Born: 1892
Parents: Son of George and Emily Pickard (nee Hudson), of Onewhero, Raglan, Auckland. Native of Waiuku, Franklin, Greymouth; Brother of George.
Place of death: On board H.M.T. Derflinger
John Henry Tupara Pickard is also claimed by Onewhero School and features in their website memorial to Onewhero's War Dead.
His name also appears on the Waiuku Cenotaph.
An article in the New Zealand Herald on 30 March 2015 refers to Private John Henry Tupara (Jack) Pickard.
Harold Vivian RAMSAY- information from "For Us They Fell" (Waikato WW1 Centenary Exhibition) ex-teacher of Kariaotahi School, killed 1918
George TIVANON (44801)
First Known rank: Rifleman
Occupation before enlistment: Billiard saloon proprietor
Next of Kin: Mrs H.T.Hill (sister)Pakuranga
Body on Embarkation: New Zealand Rifle Brigade
Embarkation Unit: G company
Embarkation Date: 26 April 1917
Place of Embarkation:Wellington
Vessel: Pakeha
Destination: Plymouth, England
G. Tivanon was wounded but 'not reported as severe case" in February 1918.
Tragically, not long after George returned to New Zealand, he drowned at Kariaotahi
in June 1919 while fishing with Ab (Albert)Summerville. (Note incorrect spelling in newspaper article link).
Mary Tivanon, Margaret Tivanon, Tom Tivanon and George Tivanon are recorded as first day pupils in 1879
Does anyone know what this means? Was John Tivanon George's brother and was he from Karioatahi also?
Francis William WATTS (51801)
First known rank: Private
Occupation before enlistment: Farmer
Next of kin: Mrs E.Watts (mother) Waiuku
Body on Embarkation: New Zealand Expeditionary Force
Embarkation Unit: 26th Reinforcements E Company
Embarkation Date: 12 June 1917
Place of embarkation: Wellington
Vessel: Maunganui
Destination: Plymouth, England
Occupation before enlistment: Farmer
Next of kin: Mrs E.Watts (mother) Waiuku
Body on Embarkation: New Zealand Expeditionary Force
Embarkation Unit: 26th Reinforcements E Company
Embarkation Date: 12 June 1917
Place of embarkation: Wellington
Vessel: Maunganui
Destination: Plymouth, England
Note the reversal of initials on Roll and official records. Anyone know which is correct? Anyone know any more about FW or WF Watts?
William Watts (Snr) is recorded (2001 reunion book) as one of the members on the Waiuku School committee representing Kariaotahi between 1879 and 1929. William Watts (presumably Junior?) is recorded as being a first day pupil in 1879. Is this a relation of FW/WF Watts?
William Watts (Snr) is recorded (2001 reunion book) as one of the members on the Waiuku School committee representing Kariaotahi between 1879 and 1929. William Watts (presumably Junior?) is recorded as being a first day pupil in 1879. Is this a relation of FW/WF Watts?
Earl WESTHEAD (56203)
First known rank: Private
Occupation before enlistment:farmer
Next of kin: Mrs R.M.Westhead, (wife) Kohekohe
Body on embarkation: New Zealand expeditionary force
Embarkation unit: 29th Reinforcements F Company
Embarkation Date: 13th August 1917
Place of embarkation: Wellington, New Zealand
Destination: Glasgow
Laurence Westhead and William Westhead , also from Kohekohe (both list J. Westhead, father, as next of kin) are listed on the Auckland Museum cenotaph website, but are not listed on the Kariaotahi Roll of Honour. Were Laurence and William brothers of Earl? I wonder why Earl is listed on the Kariaotahi Roll of Honour and Laurence and William are not?
Last known occupation: farmhand
Next of Kin: Mrs P.A. Windust (mother), Titirangi Road, New Lynn, Auckland, New Zealand
Body on Embarkation: New Zealand Expeditionary Force
Embarkation Unit: 41st Reinforcements G Company
Embarkation Date: 27 July 1918
Place of Embarkation: Wellington, New Zealand
Transport: HMNZT 108
Vessel: Ulimaroa
Destination: London, England
-Click on this link to the Auckland Council Libraries Heritage Images Online to see a photo of W.P Windust tent and cover maker in Otahuhu c.1946.It seems likely that this is the same W.P Windust as on the Kariaotahi Roll of Honour. Any clarification would be appreciated.
George's mother, Patience Amelia Windust, is recorded (as Mrs P.A Windust) in the 2001 reunion book as being the teacher at Kariaotahi 1908-1912.
World War II 1939-1945
K Blythe
T Blythe
G Bregman
D Chapman
HJ Chapman
E S Erikson
OO Erikson
FT Evans
W Gillat
HS Harkness
CJA Herrold
P Holmes
D Honey
G Honey
N Honey
L Honey
F A Knight
JM Knight
RB Knight
DC Makgill
M McCully
RE McNAughten
CS McNamara
F.G. Redfern
Frederick George Redfern (2939)
Born 30thNovember, 1918; died 25th May 1941 aged 26 years
Occupation on enlistment: farmer
Next of Kin: Mr C.A. Redfern (relationship not stated)
Extract from 18 Battalion and Armoured Regiment...
...Finally (it was after 1.30 a.m. by now, high time the whole battalion was out), Colonel Gray, who was in the lead with B Company, struck the mud track from Lava to the main road. page 104 This was largely due to one man, Corporal Fred Redfern, 5 who had taken over the guiding halfway and led the column confidently in the right direction. The leaders drew breaths of relief—and then it was found that only about a dozen of B Company were there. Somewhere back in the darkness the file had broken again, and only the head of B Company had kept up...
Lance Sergeant Frederick George Redfern died in the Battle of Crete 25th May 1941 and is buried in Suda Bay.
Click here to find out more about the events of 25th May
Frederick George Redfern was mentioned in dispatches for outstanding service during operations in Greece. He was also remembered in the Kariaotahi School Jubilee (1959) speech of former headmaster F.M Shepherd, as reported in the Waiuku News on the 7th April, 1959:
"...in the last war, four of of 20 serving pupils had lost their lives. To all these, said MR Shepherd, we owed a debt of gratitude. He recalled Fred Redfern, a little chap who, despite suffering with T.B. legs, struggled over the hills to school. Fred, who was awarded the M.M [Military Medal] laid down his life on the shores of Greece whilst holding back the Germans. In conclusion, Mr Shepherd said he thought that the school motto "Play The Game" had never been disgraced, and he exhorted pupils, past and present, to live up to it."
R.S. Sykes
Ralph Stuart Sykes(NZ41373)
Rank last held: Sergeant
Body on embarkation: Royal NZ Air Force
Campaigns: Middle East
Last unit served:Royal NZ Air Force, 80 Squadron, RAF
Place of death: Egypt
Date of Death: 10 July 1942
Cause of death: killed on air operations
Memorial name: Alamein Memorial, El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt
Next of kin: Leonard James Sykes, Gwladys Mary Sykes, Sandringham, Auckland
Listed as missing July 1942
Reclassified as killed. September 1942
TK Thomson
S Turner
