Doll 80: Rangi Brennan

Rangi Brennan was born in 1894,
to Aidan and Marama Brennan.
He was their 4th son,
and the 3rd to die at Chanuk Bair, Turkey, during WW1.

Rangi was a hardworking forestry worker,
felling native timbers for the construction industry in Auckland.

He was engaged to Alison Hughes,
the sister of Margaret, his brother Raniera's wife.
Unfortunately, Rangi died at Chanuk Bair.
During the assault on Chanuk Bair,
50 Maori lost their lives.
The gallantry of the NZ Maori at Gallipoli
had earned the respect and admiration of the British troops.

The template has been ignored ... again!
Maybe an indication in the slope of the shoulders.
Only a slight change in shape from the neck
to the head.
The torso is straight up and down,
as are the legs.
Long narrow arms are stitched
to the base of the neck.

Te Ope Tuatahi (Recruitment Song)
Sir Apirana Ngata's 1916 version)

E te ope tuatahi                    We greet our first war band
No Aotearoa,                        From Aotea-roa,
No Te Wai-pounamu,            From the Island of Greenstone:
No nga tai e wha.                  We sing of our warriors
Ko koutou ena                      Our gallant Five Hundred
E nga rau e rima,                  The chosen heroes
Ko te Hokowhitu toa             Of Tu-mata-uenga,
A Tu-mata-uenga:                The Angry-Eyed War God.
I hinga ki Ihipa,                     Some fell in Egypt,
Ki Karipori ra ia;                    Some on Gallipoli;
E ngau nei te aroha,              Now pangs of sharp sorrow
Me te mamae.                       Our sad hearts are piercing.

For reflection ...
Often there is a theme song or tune
which binds a group of disparate people together.
Sometimes there are melodies which instantly transport us through time -
stirring memories and emotions.
Can you recall any such airs which are integral to your life's journey?