Sam or 'Luggi' Mason died on November 10, 1918; peace was declared the next day.
After serving on the Western Front, he was invalided back to New Zealand, along with his younger brother Harry Mason. The brothers were the oldest of five children of Paniaha Te Whareraki Mason and Tipare Mason (nee Tuhuru).
However, tragically both died just months apart in Christchurch Hospital from suspected influenza.
Their niece, Jo Tootell, who still lives in Hokitika, said both had been buried at Tuahiwi Pa, near Kaiapoi, in the urupa Te Uru Ti.
Harry had a returned services headstone but Sam had none.
His name is also not included on any war memorial, including the World War 1 cenotaph at Cass Square.
Mrs Tootell said Sam - a sawmill hand at the time - had enlisted under his nickname, 'Luggi'. However, that had been altered by the military to 'Luigi' and consequently when he died in Christchurch there was no birth certificate in the name of 'Luigi Mason'.
Because 'Sam Mason' technically never existed in the armed forces, he was not listed in the war casualties and did not receive recognition for his service and sacrifice.
Mrs Tootell, a daughter of the youngest Mason brother, Paniaha Erai, said the family planned to erect a headstone for Sam Mason at his final resting place at Tuahiwi.
On Sunday morning, Sam Mason's name will be inscribed into the All Saints Church war memorial book - 100 years after his death - as part of the Armistice Day centennial commemorations.
The church Book of Remembrance is linked to the war memorial status of the church and carries the names of all the war veterans from the war, regardless of denomination.
Maori Bishop for Te Waipounamu Richard Wallace, lately of Hokitika, will unveil a memorial plaque on Sunday dedicated to all men and women killed in battle in New Zealand.
Another will be unveiled by Hokitika-Westland RSA president Jim Butzbach for all New Zealand men and women killed in the South African Boer War and all wars since the Great War.
The unveiling will be followed by a combined church memorial service in the Regent Theatre from 9.45am before Armistice commemorations shift to Cass Square at 10.50am.
A bell toll, two minutes' silence and a volley of gunfire will be observed before a re-enacted 'roaring chorus' begins at 11am.
- By Janna Sherman of the Hokitika Guardian
