Cpl. Andrew Charles Haua

Andrew Charles Haua was born in Tauranga on 30 June 1894 (folio number: 1894/2411). His parents were Andrew and Edith Elenor Haua (nee Jackson) who married in 1888. Andrew's father drowned in a river at Katikati on 27 June 1909. His death was reported in the Bay of Plenty Times and he was buried in Katikati Cemetery. After his death Andrew and his mother Edith moved to Australia, settling at 249 Church Street in Camperdown, New South Wales. Andrew worked as a bookkeeper, and was also a keen footballer. From Sydney he enlisted in the Australian Infantry on 31 August 1914 (Service Number: 1336). He departed Australia on 20 October 1914 with the 3rd Battalion, G Company. Whilst they were in Egypt, on 1 April 1915, he was promoted to Lance Corporal. He embarked from Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (Gallipoli Campaign) on 5 April 1915. Two days later, on 7 April 1915, he was promoted to Corporal in Lemnos. On 19 May 1915 he was admitted to No 12 General Hospital in Alexandria suffering from dysentery. Five days later, on 24 May 1915, he was transferred to base details in Mustapha. Andrew left Alexandria to rejoin the 3rd Battalion at Gallipoli on 14 June 1915. Three days later he was reprimanded for not complying with an order. He received a gunshot wound to the chest during the Battle of Chunuk Bair at Gallipoli. He was on board the Hospital Ship 'Delta', when he died of his wounds on 11 August 1915. Andrew was buried at sea between Mudros and Gallipoli, by Reverend H S Marshall, on 11 August 1915. He was aged 21. The first notification of Andrew's death was in the Bay of Plenty Times on 4 September 1915: Word has been received that Corporal A. C. Haua of the 3rd Battalion Australian Regiment, died of wounds on August 11th. Corporal Haua who was twenty-one years of age was born in Tauranga and was the son of Mrs A. Haua late of Tauranga but now of Sydney NSW. In early 1916 his mother received a small brown paper parcel with contained her sons personal effects. These included a pocket-book, wallet, whistle, compass, letters, photos, pencils and keys. Missing was her sons ring which she later enquired after hoping that it might be returned to her. She also received the following information about his death; “he died at sea on Hospital Ship Delta through the effects of Gunshot wounds to the abdomen and chest on 11th August 1915.” In his will Andrew left all his property, effects and military pay to his mother, Edith Haua.

Source: Biography by Debbie McCauley, part of the Tauranga Roll of Honour: World War One project

Documents:

• Military Personnel File Links:
• The AIF Project
• Cenotaph Record
• Commonwealth War Graves Commission Record