Do you know Renata Wanoa?

PIECE OF THE PAST: This prayer book was owned by Cpl RM Wanoa of 28 Maori Battalion, who died as a prisoner of war in a concentration camp in Germany in 1944. Pictures supplied

The family of a prisoner of war who was a part of the 28 Maori Battalion wants to reunite a book of prayer with its rightful owners.

Wairoa woman Sue Thompson, the daughter of Ben Thompson, a prisoner of war and member of 28 Maori Battalion, contacted The Gisborne Herald in a last-ditch effort to reunite the book with the family.

The book belonged to a member of 28 Maori Battalion who was a prisoner of war and died in a concentration camp.

The book is inscribed with Cpl RM Wanoa and a regiment number 39178.

Upon searching the regiment number on the Maori Battalion website, it shows Renata Matengaroa Wanoa, who listed Potaka, Hicks Bay as his address of enlistment.

Renata died on April 23, 1944, in Germany.

Sue Thompson has tried to find the family by posting on social media groups but has had no luck.

“I would really love it to go back to the rightful owners, the family of the soldier. We have had a caretaking role for this book. This is a last-ditch effort to try to get it back to where it belongs.”

Chris Roberts, son of Ben Thompson, learned about the prayer book eight years ago and did some research.

His father was captured in Crete on November 28, 1941, and became a prisoner of war.

On September 13, 1943, he was taken by the German military to another camp and ended up at Stalag 317, and was not freed until 1945.

“My father and this other chap were captured in Crete,” said Chris. “Only nine Commonwealth soldiers ended up in Stalag 317.

“I take it he nursed this guy (Renata) in the concentration camp and on his death looked after the prayer book,” he said.

The regiment number, names and the information that the Thompson family have shared are leads to who this book could belong too.

If you know who the prayer book owner’s family might be, please contact The Gisborne Herald editorial department.