The excellent WW1/WW2 group of four issued to 8/4200 Herbert Pahi, a young Maori who was tewice wounded on the Western Front and who saw service with the NZ Cyclist Corps throughout 1918.

 

Herbert Pahi claimed he was born in 1895 on his attestation for the NZEF in 1915, however family history and a subsequent report in the Police Gazette of 1928 indicates he was actually born in September 1899. This is supported by the very youthful-looking young man in the photograph provided. Herbert Pahi was born at Tuahiwi, north of Kaiapoi, to a Maori father, Titama (David) Teiwi Pahi Rapatini and his part-Maori wife, Lucy Gertrude Rickus. When he enlisted for service, he was working as a boilermaker at Green Island, Dunedin and was probably just 16 years old.

 

Pahi embarked with the 11th Reinforcements, and deployed to France with 10th (North Otago) Company, 1st Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment in June 1916. He suffered a gunshot wound to his right ankle during the Battle of Morval in late September 1916 and was evacuated to the UK. On his recovery, he was sent back to the front, joining 4th (Otago) Company, 3rd Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment on 8th October 1917, during the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele). Pahi was wounded for a second time, this time in the wrist, on 18th November 1917. After treatment in France, Pahi transferred to No. 2 Company, NZ Cyclist Corps in February 1918.

 

Pahi served in the field with the Cyclist Corps for the remainder of the war, and was promoted to corporal in July 1918. He was discharged in New Zealand in June 1919. Pahi married Mabel Mountford in 1919. During the Second World War Pahi served with the National Military Reserve in Christchurch, receiving the 1939/45 War Medal and NZ War Service Medal in 1950. He died 16th December 1976 at Christchurch.

 

The WW1 pair are both correctly impressed 8/4200 CPL. H. PAHI. N.Z.E.F. and the WW2 pair are unnamed as issued. The medals are swing mounted on a pin-backed bar.

Service file held at Archives New Zealand