Hemi (James Roberts) Ropata

  • British War Medal
  • Victory Medal
  • Born 23 February 1905, Temuka, South Canterbury, New Zealand
  • Died 23 March 1957
  • Last rank Private/Lance Sergeant
  • Service number 45017
  • Served In 25th Reinforcements, Canterbury Infantry Regiment, C Company, New Zealand Expeditionary Force
  • Next of Kin Mrs Mary Ann Ropata (Kini, wife), Little River, Canterbury
  • Pre-war occupation Labourer
  • ReligionChurch of England (Anglican)
  • Enlisted7 November 1916
  • Embarkationaboard HMNZT 84, Turakina, departed 26 April 1917, disembarked 20 July 1917, Plymouth, Devon, England
  • Theatres of operationWestern European 1917-1918-1919
  • Periods of service210 days in New Zealand and two years 147 days overseas in Western Europe. Total service of two years and 387 days
  • Returned to New Zealandaboard Ayrshire, 20 September 1919
  • Discharged29 October 1919, on termination of period of engagement
  • AwardedBritish War Medal and Victory Medal
Notes

Served in WWI and WWII (821070).

Date of birth listed on his history sheet as
27th February 1891, but attested as
23 February 1905.

Profile photo credit: Iain Davidson collection via The Onward Project