Eruera Love

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Eruera Love
Nickname(s)"The Bull"
Born(1905-05-18)18 May 1905
Waikawa, Marlborough, New Zealand
Died12 July 1942(1942-07-12) (aged 37)
Ruweisat Ridge, Egypt
Buried
AllegianceNew Zealand
Service/branchNew Zealand Military Forces
Years of service1922–1942
RankLieutenant Colonel
Commands heldMāori Battalion
Battles/warsSecond World War
RelationsRipeka Wharawhara Love (mother)

Eruera Te Whiti o Rongomai Love (18 May 1905 – 12 July 1942) was a New Zealand rugby player, interpreter and military leader. Of Māori descent, he identified with the Te Ati Awa iwi.

One of seven surviving children of Wi Hapi Pakau Love and Ripeka Wharawhara Love, he was born in Waikawa Bay, Marlborough, New Zealand on 18 May 1905.[1]

A Territorial officer, during the Second World War, he was a company commander and later battalion commander of the Māori Battalion. He was killed in action in the Western Desert on 12 July 1942.[2]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Miguel, Susan Love De. "Eruera Te Whiti o Rongomai Love". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
  2. ^ De Miguel., Susan Love. "'Love, Eruera Te Whiti o Rongomai'". The New Zealand Encyclopedia. Dictionary of New Zealand Biography.