Archive for February, 2012
Artefact of the Week: Kodak Camera in Water Bottle
Sunday, February 26th, 2012
Gunner Wilfred (Curly) Weakley had this 35mm Kodak Retina camera complete with brown leather case and carrying strap with him when he was taken prisoner at Sidi Rezegh during the relief of Tobruk in November 1941. He managed to hide the camera from the enemy during capture by strapping it to the inside of his leg.
Whilst prisoner at camp No. 57 at Udene near Trieste in Italy he made a fake water bottle to hide his camera. The bottle had a small compartment with cork stopper to hold water at the top, and a secret compartment underneath with removable bottom where the camera was concealed.
Find out about our other museum artefacts and recent acquisitions.
Tags: artefact of the week
Posted in Museum Artefacts | No Comments »
Artefact of the Week: Handmade Chess Set
Wednesday, February 15th, 2012
This week’s museum artefact is a handmade chess set housed in a coconut shell and carved by Lancelot Hugh Herd while a Prisoner of War (POW) in Changi Prison, Singapore during World War II.
Lance Herd served as a Sapper (NZ Engineers) in World War I and was serving with the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) in Singapore during World War II.
On 13 February 1942 he was ordered to evacuate the base to Batavia. On his way he stopped off at Banku Island not realising it was now occupied by the Japanese. He and his crew were taken prisoner and finally placed in Changi where he remained until after the war.
Find out about our other museum artefacts and recent acquisitions.
Tags: artefact of the week
Posted in Museum Artefacts | No Comments »
Artefact of the Week: Bosnia Sign
Saturday, February 11th, 2012
This week’s museum artefact is a Bosnia Sign. This carved wooden sign marks New Zealand’s peace keeping efforts in the former Yugoslavia during the mid-1990s. Kiwi Company I was based at Santici Camp near the town of Vitez, approximately 20 kilometres north-west of Sarajevo. The contingent was given responsibility for a section of the Lasva Valley, and its principal task was to monitor compliance with the agreements reached between the Bosnian Croat and Bosnian Government authorities, and to improve the freedom of movement and general quality of life of people in its area of responsibility.
Find out about our other museum artefacts and recent acquisitions.
Tags: artefact of the week
Posted in Museum Artefacts | 1 Comment »
|
