4202 Lance Corporal G.G. Bird N.Z. Infantry 27th May 1941 Age 28
Service Number: 4204 Unit: New Zealand Infantry, 28 (Maori) Battalion Next of Kin: Mr W.F. Bird (Grandfather), Murupara, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand Occupation on Enlistment: Carpenter Embarkation Body: Second NZ Expeditionary Force (2NZEF), 2nd Echelon Son of Joseph Bird and of Anni Bird (nee Wharewera), of Murupara, NZ George's parents both died when he was quite young. George and his sister Ima Josephine b. 1914 went to live with their Grandparents William Henry Bird (snr) and Kiekie Bird (Nee Hopaia) at Murupara. George was working at Murupara with his uncle, William Henry Bird (jnr) who was a foreman of the Native Developement scheme there. George enlisted in Rotorua 15th December 1939, when war was declared, and he was quickly sent to Palmerston North with a group of 57 Maori chosen for potential junior NCO training. His Grandfather was listed as next of kin, but this all changed once George married Martha Margery Hikakei Hall before he went overseas in 1940. 4202 Lance Corporal George Gabriel Bird was recorded as killed in action on 23rd May on Crete, but the date of death was amended to 27thMay 1941, which placed him amongst those who made a bayonet charge on 42nd Street in Galatas. He fell beside his cousin Sonny Rewi and Lieutenant H.O. Stewart of B Company. Credit: Sonia Edwards Q.S.M from her book Valour Remembered, Volume two
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