National Army Museum Newsletter

Khaki and Black Exhibition: Coming Soon

King George V presents The Kings Club trophy to NZ WWI rugby winners.

Rugby is a religion for many New Zealanders, and our soldiers found time to play the national game when they weren't in the trenches.

In time for the Rugby World Cup, the National Army Museum will be running an exhibition looking at the history of rugby during times of war when Kiwis 'took the game overseas'.

Learn about one of the first big trophies in world rugby, the Kings Cup, and about the great 1945/46 Kiwis team which would go on to produce 16 All Blacks. Visitors will also be able to test their skills and knowledge in our interactive rugby zone. Exhibition opens 26 August.

Read more about the Khaki & Black Exhibit.

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Malone and the Kiwi Lemon Squeezer Hat

Iconic NZ 'lemon squeezer' hat introduced by William George Malone in WWI.

The iconic Kiwi 'lemon squeezer' hat was introduced by one of New Zealand's outstanding soldiers of the WWI Gallipoli Campaign, William George Malone. Originally intended for his Taranaki Rifles Regiment, the hat was designed to mirror the outline of Mount Taranaki and to allow 'run off' in the rain. The hat was adopted by Malone's Wellington Regiment and later by the rest of the NZ Infantry Division on 1 January 1916.

Read more about Malone and the lemon squeezer hat.

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A Birthday to Remember

WWII veteran Arnold Kimber visits National Army Museum's Sherman Tank.

It was a very special 95th birthday for World War II veteran Arnold Kimber when he came face to face with a fellow veteran; the National Army Museum's Sherman Tank.

Trooper Kimber served as a Sherman driver during the war and travelled to the museum to see the only Sherman tank on public display in New Zealand.

Together with his son John, Kimber flew up from Blenheim to Taupo and then drove down to spend several hours viewing the different displays and exhibitions at the National Army Museum.

Learn more about Arnold Kimber and his Army Museum visit.

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Strong Family Connection

Paula Gray views great-grandfather's WWI Western Front diaries at the National Army Museum.

Paula Gray has a transcription of her great grandfather's diaries, but seeing the real thing was worth travelling around the world for.

Paula journeyed with her family to the National Army Museum all the way from Elgin, Moray, Scotland to see the set of diaries kept during World War I.

Her great grandfather Reginald Cresswall Donald of the NZ Field Artillery kept a record of his time on the Western Front by way of several small diaries over a 4 year period from August 1915 through until 28 April 1919.

Paula along with the other living descendants of Donald all have hardback transcribed copies of his diaries but seeing the real thing was something special.

Read more about these WWI Western Front Diaries.

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$1000 Grocery Voucher Winner

Congratulations to Mrs Erica Dixon who was the winner of $1000 worth of grocery vouchers as part of our New Year promotion. Special thanks to Constable Lisa Cherrington of the Waiouru Police who drew the winning ticket.

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