MAORI BURIED IN KENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24450, 8 November 1940, Page 10

MAORI BURIED IN KENT

MILITARY FUNERAL FOR DESPATCH RIDER (From Oub Own Correspondent) LONDON, Sept. 23. A Maori military funeral took place at a cemetery in Kent, when Private Tokema Pokai, aged 22, a despatch rider, killed in a road accident, was buried A contingent of smart Maori troops followed the coffin, covered with a Union Jack, and at the cemetery chapel a guard of honour stood with arms reversed and bowed heads. The service, which was conducted in Maori, except for an address by Lieu-tenant-colonel G. V. Gerard, C.F., Bishop of Waiapu, was taken by Captain the Rev. K, T Harawira, C.F. Bishop Gerard said it was a sad fate that had befallen their comrade, but it was part of the period of adventure which had come to them, and in such days death came sometimes by accident as well as through active service. These things could not always be avoided, sad though they were. He said that photographs of the funeral service would be sent to the victim's parents. Their First Casualty Captain the Rev, K, T. Harawira referred to the fact that that was the first casualty the Maori Battalion had experienced, but it brought them to the realisation of the seriousness of the whole thing. He extended sympathy to the dead man's two brothers, who were serving in the same battalion and who were the chief mourners at the funeral. At the graveside a bugler sounded the " Last Post" and reveille, and volleys were fired by riflemen. A Maori oration was delivered over the grave by Captain Werohia. There were many wreaths from New Zealand officers, n.c.o.'s, and men.