Te Paroa School memorial

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There is an impressive carved Second World War memorial flagstaff in the grounds of Te Paroa School (Te Kura O Te Paroa), near Whakatane. This is set on a stepped concrete pedestal with plaques on three sides. One bears the inscription: “This memorial flagstaff / erected by the / Awa & Hohapata families  / - / In memory of /  2nd Lieut. John Hall Pile / no. 64930 28 – 17 N.Z. Bn. / Died of wounds Dec. 6th 1943 / aged 28.” The others are inscribed as follows: “Pte. Willie Awa Ratahi / No. 652428 28 N.Z. Bn. / Killed in action / 20th April 1944 / aged 23”; and “Pte. Leonard Hohapata / no. 811681 28 N.Z. Bn. / killed motor accident / 20th October 1946 / aged 23.”