Herbert Facoorey
The Māori Battalion’s Lebanese
The Herbert Facoorey
Open Research Project
Summary
107 YEARS AGO, Herbert George Facoorey (aka Hubba) was born on Friday 23 June 1916, in Dunedin, to his Lebanese parents Mitri Facoorey and Mary Omarah Houch.
After the couple parted, 8 months old Hubba moved with his mother and her family to Te Araroa, Gisborne where the family ran a general store.
Hubba settled in his life there, became a cousin to the Henderson and Jackson families, and although he did not have Māori blood, he was able to join them in the 28 Māori Battalion’s 5th reinforcements.
He went on to fight with the D then the C Companies in the desert and Italy. He was on the ship back home when the Germans surrendered.
Upon his return, he ran a taxi business, married Dawn Smith and had a daughter, Mary.
Hubba left our world on 13 January 2002..
Warrant Officer - Second Class (62581).
Lebanese born Herbert George Faccoorey
(aka Hubba Abraham),
joined the 28 Māori Battalion,
embarking with the 5th reinforcements in 1942.
Photo credit: 28maoribattalion.org
This page was set up to shed a light onto Hubba’s life and honour his story.
The aim is to gather this information into a research that would ultimately evolve into a documentary.
If you happen to be a relative of his or have any photos or stories you could share with us about him, please get in touch by emailing me.