- Mah Jong Set
- World War One Crutches
- 600 Grace Street, Chicago
- Wartime Musical Companion
- Victorious Escape
- Churchill Collection Donated to Army Museum Library
- Supply of Ammunition
- Not Bad For 146 Years Old
- Good Luck Charm
- Peace Beads WWI
Mah Jong Set
World War One Crutches
Herbert Mills served in World War I and was severely wounded and shell shocked. As part of his rehabilitation he was given these crutches. When he returned to New Zealand doctors only gave him six months to live but he instead lived until he was 83 years old.
600 Grace Street, Chicago
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1992.2635 American marines at Majestic Cabaret Wellington. |
60 years on, Carol Peters still vividly remembers the day she and her family spent with a US Marine during World War II.
Between 1942 and 1944, over 100,000 American soldiers were stationed in New Zealand for varying periods of time, both for ‘rest and relaxation’ from fighting in the Pacific and to reassure New Zealanders they would be protected should the Japanese land on their shores.
These men made a huge impact on New Zealand society. They provided both relief and curiosity for New Zealanders. Their customs and behaviour, their strange accents, excellent manners, and free-spending habits all made them stand out from their more reserved New Zealand counterparts.
Wartime Musical Companion
Contributed by Assistant Curator Chris Rapley
The faithful musical companion of a remarkable New Zealand soldier recently found a new home at the National Army Museum. The Italian-made piano accordion was the treasured possession of Frank Burns and accompanied him to its place of origin when Burns fought in World War II.
He brought the accordion as a young man and quickly became a highly skilled player and won the New Zealand Accordion Championship. Burns also formed a band with some friends and played on 1ZB radio station.
Victorious Escape
On a recent school visit to the National Army Museum, Taupo boy Joshua Brown donated an original postcard dating back to World War II, belonging to his grandfather’s uncle, Lt Col Cliff George and with it a great story.
Lt Col George wrote home to his family whilst held in an Italian Prisoner of War (POW) camp. George served in Greece, Syria and North Africa. He commanded the 25th Battalion in Syria and at El Mreir, where he was taken prisoner when German tanks overran the battalion on the morning of 22 July 1942.
Churchill Collection donated to Army Museum Library
“Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.” British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, 20 August 1940.
The National Army Museum recently received a donation of the complete works of the iconic World War II leader Sir Winston Churchill. The limited edition Complete Collection Edition of Sir Winston Churchill’s books is one of only 3000 sets printed and was published in 1974.
Churchill was author of more than 50 books, over a 60 year period. He also wrote countless newspaper articles and contributed to many magazines and pamphlets containing the text of his speeches.
Supply of Ammunition
A seal machine is not something you would expect to see in an army museum’s collection, but recently the National Army Museum received one with a fascinating history.
The machine has a sprung handle that pushes down a circular stamp to impress ‘The Colonial Ammunition Company Limited, Common Seal’ – a company that had its origins in the late stages of the 1800s.
In 1885 New Zealand was gripped by a war scare thanks to the rising tensions between Britain and Russia over Afghanistan. Defences were built at some New Zealand ports and – more importantly for our story – authorities became concerned about a shortage of small arms ammunition from Britain.
Not bad for 146 years old
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Calisher and Terry 30 Bore (.539in) Pattern 1860 No 2 Carbine – NZ 803. |
Early this year a rare firearm dating from the New Zealand Wars was donated to the National Army Museum.
The Calisher and Terry 30 Bore Carbine was donated by Dean Stockwell of Wellington and apart from needing a little bit of a clean was in remarkably original condition.
Good luck charm
This colourful cross pendant was given to 31544 Lance Corporal Edgar Squire of the Canterbury Infantry Battalion by his mother as a good luck charm before he went overseas for World War One.
The swastika is a symbol used in Buddhism and in Hinduism, and became popular in the West 1880′s to 1920′s as a good luck charm/symbol until it was subverted by the Nazi’s.
Peace beads WWI
Written by Mrs Joyce Neill 1973
“Peace Will Come Again” – Those are the words symbolised by an old bead necklace. The red, white and blue beads were threaded, in that order onto white tape. Many of these bead gifts were made by an elderly lady (neighbour of Mrs Neill nee Nichols) over fifty five years ago in 1918. She presented tham to all the young girls she knew.
