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219830Capt. Hemi "Jim" Wiremu
New Zealand Maori Forces 8th Battalion
My Father, Hemi (Jim) Wiremu, served as a captain with the 8th Battalion of the New Zealand Maori Forces. He was captured at Kalamata in the Peloponese, Greece. He ended up in Oflag 7B. We always had his I.D. card until it was stolen when my mother was carrying it in her handbag, as a keepsake after his death.Is it possible to find a copy of my father's I.D. card? By the way, your site is excellent, keep up the good work!
Additional Information:
I have a photo of Hemi 'Jimmy' Wiremu taken of him dressed in a grass skirt with Maori war paint and a staff on a stage which is decorated Maori totem style. It is at Eichstatt Oflag V11B. It was amongst my fathers letters and photos and identified by Ian Buckland in 1989. My father was Cpt Carol Francis Willis, Royal West Kent Regiment, from Tonbridge, Kent. He mentions the 'NZ contingent' in his letters home and tells his mother in a January 1944 letter that several NZs will be coming to stay when the war is over. His other NZ friend was Bob Hamilton.Phoebe Hubbard I think I do have a picture of my dad as you described. He was performing in a play I believe. The picture I have may be different to the one you have, so yes, I would appreciate a copy of your photograph. Any further info you might have would be welcome. Thank you, and best wishes.kevin wiremu
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