Eruera Love Explained

Eruera Love
Nickname:"The Bull"
Birth Date:18 May 1905
Birth Place:Waikawa, Marlborough, New Zealand
Death Place:Ruweisat Ridge, Egypt
Placeofburial:El Alamein War Cemetery
Allegiance:New Zealand
Branch:New Zealand Military Forces
Serviceyears:1922–1942
Rank:Lieutenant Colonel
Commands:Māori Battalion
Battles:Second World War
Relations:Ripeka 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.

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.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: De Miguel.. Susan Love. 'Love, Eruera Te Whiti o Rongomai'. The New Zealand Encyclopedia. Dictionary of New Zealand Biography.