Harry Lapwood

Born at Tuakau, just south of Auckland, Lapwood was raised by an uncle and aunt, his mother having died when he was four and his father when he was ten.

[1] He attended Tuakau and Dilworth Schools in Auckland,[2] before working first on a dairy farm in Awakeri, and later as a police officer in Invercargill.

[3] The next day, during fighting at Minqar Qaim leading up to the First Battle of El Alamein, he was wounded by enemy artillery fire, resulting in the loss of use of one arm.

In 1960, he stood as the National Party candidate for the Rotorua electorate, which to his surprise he won, defeating Labour incumbent Ray Boord.

[8] In 1990, Lapwood was awarded the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal, and in the 1992 New Year Honours he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, for public services.