September 13, 2020
Maori Battalion veteran Epineha Ratapu champion of education
Māori Battalion veteran Epineha Ratapu is being remembered for a lifetime of support for Māori education.
Mr Ratapu died last week aged 98.
He served in North Africa, Italy and Japan before returning to Masterton and raising four daughters and three sons.
Kelvin Davis, the Associate Education Minister and chair of the Ngārimu VC and 28th (Māori Battalion) Memorial Scholarship Fund Board, says Mr Ratapu and his whānau supported the board’s work and made the annual trip to Parliament for the scholarship presentation ceremonies, reminding generations of students of the leadership values of the battalion.
The sole surviving member of the 28th Māori Battalion is Robert (Bom) Gillies of B Company.
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