Cook Islands WWII research team will start on an important mission to Atiu, where they aim to uncover the final resting places of several soldiers who served during the Second World War.

Dedicated to preserving Cook Islands Military history, the team of volunteers are asking the community for their assistance to help locate the burial sites of several WWII soldiers when they visit the island from April 23 to April 30.

The project coordinator Cate Walker says, “we are currently collating our Cook Islands WWII research, and we would like to include as much information as possible to add to our Cook Islands Online Cenotaph website.

“If you recognise a family name and possible grave location please get in touch with us. We are very grateful for any information we receive.”

The researchers are seeking biographical information, photos and burial locations of Cook Islands WWII recruits who served throughout the Cook Islands as Coastwatchers’, in local defence areas, as well as Cook Islanders who served overseas.

The research team are Cate Walker Project Coordinator, Brisbane, Australia - Graduate Certificate of Cemetery Practice (Deakin), Bobby Nicholas Head Researcher and expert Cook Islands genealogist, Paula Paniani Community Liaison, Paul Morrissey Chief Navigator, Brisbane, Australia, and Julie Taripo Documentary Producer, Cook Islands Television, Rarotonga.

Sponsors - Tata Crocombe The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium Sanctuary Rarotonga, Aitutaki Lagoon Private Island Resort, Air Rarotonga, Cook Islands Television, Vodafone Cook Islands.